92% of pension professionals say administration is as important as investment and strategy, XPS polling finds

92% of pension professionals say administration is as important as investment and strategy, XPS polling finds

10 Mar 2026

More than nine in ten (92%) pension professionals believe administration is as important as investment and funding strategy in running a well-governed scheme, according to new polling by XPS Group.

The findings are based on responses gathered during a recent XPS webinar examining the evolving role of pension administration amid growing regulatory focus.

When asked whether administration is a core pillar of the pensions industry infrastructure (145 responses):

• 92% agreed it is as important as investment and strategy
• 8% somewhat agreed
• 0% disagreed

Respondents also indicated that raising standards is seen primarily as an industry responsibility. When asked which area has the greatest impact on achieving high standards of administration (121 responses):

• 79% cited investment in people and technology
• 20% pointed to collaboration across providers
• 1% selected increased regulation

Views on formal regulation were more mixed (132 responses):

• 25% said administration should be regulated more like other financial services
• 50% said possibly, but not as formally
• 20% said the current regime is sufficient

The central role of administrators in shaping member outcomes was also clear. When asked who they turn to for advice on member interests and interaction (130 responses), 64% said their administrator - ahead of communication specialists (18%), actuaries (9%) and legal advisers (4%).

Dave Watkins, Managing Director of Administration at XPS Group said:

“Administration underpins every strategic decision a scheme makes - from data quality and member communications through to endgame readiness. It can no longer be viewed as a back-office function.

“The industry clearly recognises that improving standards is about investing in people, technology and collaboration. Trustees who treat administration as a strategic priority will be better placed to deliver good outcomes for members.”