The latest National Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Procurement Framework for Integrated Service Providers (ISP) and Member Data Services has been launched.

This is the second iteration of the Member Data Services Framework, as the framework was extended to offer additional support for LGPS funds as they prepare for the introduction of pensions dashboards.

The framework was designed to help LGPS Funds, pools, their employers, and wider public sector pension schemes access a wide range of reliable specialists to support pension services teams with pensions dashboard readiness and all aspects of managing an improving member data.

ISPs and a range of other member data services can be obtained through the framework, enabling the LGPS community to source services matched to their requirements from small one-off pieces of work to longer-term single provider arrangements.

It is split into seven different ‘lots’, including an ISP lot, four services lots, a bank account verification lot, and a reporting lot.

Eight LGPS Funds worked together to establish the framework, with support from the National LGPS Frameworks team and procurement and legal specialists from Norfolk County Council.

These were the Cheshire Pension Fund, Essex Pension Fund, Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund, Norfolk Pension Fund, Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee, West Midlands Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Commenting on the launch, Local Government Association senior pensions advisor, Lorriane Bennett, said: “This framework will be invaluable for many LGPS administering authorities.

“Being able to procure an ISP provider through the framework is a real benefit and will undoubtedly help authorities comply with their legal duties for pensions dashboards.

“The data services framework will assist authorities in ensuring member data is complete and accurate, as well as complying with The Pension Regulator’s expectations in this area.”

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