PRESS RELEASE
PASA launches new Guidance on Data Scoring
The Pensions Administration Standards Association (PASA) has released new Guidance on Data Scoring,
offering essential insights into scheme-specific data items and key areas trustees should prioritize for data
testing.
Kristy Cotton, Chair of the PASA Data Working Group, commented: “Regular testing and scoring of data
is vital and must remain a top priority for trustees. While some data quality can be maintained, other items
don’t stay still and member data should be tested comprehensively at least once a year, with tests
tailored to the unique requirements of each scheme. Not testing important data for the scheme means
data risks may not be fully understood. Equally, testing irrelevant or unnecessary data risks could
misrepresent data quality and divert attention from resolving genuine issues. Inappropriate data testing
could create an inflated perception of data quality.
Low data scores aren’t ideal, but they provide an honest reflection of quality. Trustees must understand
their data, act on identified issues, and demonstrate improvement. Effective data scoring drives
efficiency, automation, consistency, and an enhanced member experience.”
The Guidance is designed to support trustees and providers in achieving higher data standards while
aligning with broader industry expectations. It highlights the importance of:
• Conducting relevant and targeted data testing to reflect true data quality
• Building consistency across the industry to enable data comparison and better data quality
understanding
• Ensuring trustees can evidence data quality improvements and maintain transparency with
rectification plans
• Avoiding delays in data testing, even during ongoing rectification projects, to uphold
accountability
Fiona Frobisher, Head of Policy at The Pensions Regulator, said: “We welcome PASA’s Guidance which
gives practical suggestions on how administrators should approach scoring member data. We encourage
scheme administrators and trustees to review their existing scoring approach to ensure they meet
minimum requirements, and adapt the good practices highlighted in the guidance to score member data
in a consistent way.”
The new PASA Guidance, can be found here.
