PASA publishes guidance on identity management and assurance

New guidance on identity management and assurance, which addresses growing risks and challenges across the pension lifecycle, was published by the Pensions Administration and Standards Association on May 22, 2025.

The guidance sets out best practices for scheme administrators to mitigate identity-related fraud, bolster member protection and future-proof processes in an increasingly digital landscape.

PASA sees strong identity management not simply as good practice but as essential protection for pension savers. The guidance aims to raise awareness of schemes’ identity-related vulnerabilities and offers practical, actionable steps administrators can take to safeguard their members and strengthen scheme defences.

The guidance, with which compliance is voluntary, outlines key identity interactions across the pension lifecycle which pose elevated risks, and gives practical examples on how to mitigate those risks. 

Four key interaction points between the member and the scheme are highlighted as being particularly important in relation to “protecting identities during high-risk events”: member data changes; transferring pension scheme benefits; when the member retires; and lastly, when the member dies.

Comment

With pension fraud an ever-present danger, this is welcome support for trustees and administrators in the front line of defence against pension scams.