OPRA: Bulletins

During the course of the year the Authority published six bi-monthly updates. The updates, described as a review of casework and board determinations, provide statistical information and summarise various live cases (on a no-names basis) giving examples of good and bad practice.

OPRA Bulletin 1
April to December 1997

• Covered the first eight months of OPRA's live operation, during which it received 16,267 reports and enquiries about named pension schemes and a further 6,500 general enquiries.
• Cases quoted showed OPRA deciding not to penalise trustees even when a breach of the Pensions Act was established. These breaches occurred when the Pensions Act had only recently come into force, and consequently the Authority exercised some lenience.

OPRA Bulletin 2
January and February 1998

• Late payment of employees' pension contributions remained the most common complaint. Late completion of audited accounts and audited statements of contributions were the second most reported type of complaint.
• Contained an explanation of the OPRA case- handling process when a report is received.

OPRA Bulletin 3
March and April 1998

• Included a report on the process by which regulatory cases are referred to OPRA board members for determination, and guidance to be followed by professional trustees on the OPRA trustee panel whenever OPRA appoints a trustee to a scheme.

OPRA Bulletin 4
May and June 1998

• During this period, cases involving the late payment of pension contributions still accounted for the highest proportion of reports made: the most frequent reporters were trustees. In respect of late payment offences, OPRA indicated that it would not be looking to initiate prosecutions for isolated offences. Offending employers and trustees will be given a series of warning letters and action will only normally be taken where trustees then fail to take appropriate action to protect members' interests.
• Contained an explanation of OPRA's duties and practice with regard to the collection of levies.

OPRA Bulletin 5
July and August 1998

• During this period, the highest number of reports made were again by trustees in respect of late payment of contributions. The second highest subject matter for reports was the late completion of audited accounts and audited statements. The Bulletin suggested that it was unlikely that OPRA would penalise schemes which completed their accounts with only a minimal delay and with no loss to members.

OPRA Bulletin 6
September and October 1988

• During this period OPRA's helpdesk received 4,579 reports and enquiries - the highest number of new cases in any two month period. 75% of these cases concerned late payment of contributions.
• OPRA indicated that it will shortly be publishing a factsheet, specifically targeted at employers, to explain the requirements about paying contributions on time in order to eradicate this problem.
• Contains an article on the role and functions of the Pension Schemes Registry.