Communication In A Digital World

Joanne Tibbott looks at how pension schemes manage and keep records of online communications and the legal requirements needed to protect themselves from any risks.

The law

The Disclosure Regulations permit schemes to use electronic communications to give members information, whether by using electronic mail or by making information available on a website as appropriate, provided communications are designed to be accessible and capable of being stored and printed (taking into account the requirements of disabled persons).

Trust law requires trustees to use skill and care in the exercise of their duties and ensure good governance. Legislation specific to running pension schemes also requires schemes to establish and operate internal controls which ensure they are administered and managed in accordance with required standards, meaning appropriate controls to identify, evaluate and manage risks of all sorts (including providing information to members and keeping