Occupational Pensions
(asked on 13th June 2019) - View Source
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that independent governance committees (IGCs) monitor and provide effective oversight of the suitability of all the retail fund choices available to pension scheme members through the firm which an IGC oversees.
This question was answered on 26th June 2019
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced rules in 2015 to require contract-based pension providers to set up independent governance committees (IGCs) to address poor consumer outcomes. IGCs have a duty to scrutinise the value for money of the provider’s workplace personal pension schemes, taking into account transaction costs, raising concerns and making recommendations to the provider’s board as appropriate. IGCs have a duty to assess whether all the investment choices available, including default options, are suitable for the interests of consumers.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced rules in 2015 to require contract-based pension providers to set up independent governance committees (IGCs) to address poor consumer outcomes. IGCs have a duty to scrutinise the value for money of the provider’s workplace personal pension schemes, taking into account transaction costs, raising concerns and making recommendations to the provider’s board as appropriate. IGCs have a duty to assess whether all the investment choices available, including default options, are suitable for the interests of consumers.
In 2016, the FCA reviewed IGCs and found that they were “generally effective” in influencing and advancing cost reductions for members. The FCA has announced that it will undertake a further review of IGCs in 2019/20.