PENSIONS
One key reason is cost. Developing this technology is expensive, and the best products come at a premium, reflecting the large teams of skilled software developers required to build superior solutions. That’s where pension providers can (and should) help: by partnering with progressive software providers and helping to fund the development of cutting-edge solutions. Doing this benefits everyone involved: software providers can accelerate their development roadmaps, bureaus gain more affordable access to the best products and employers / employees receive better overall experiences. Pension providers, in turn, benefit from widespread adoption of world-class integrations which lower operational costs and enhance our customer experiences, so it’s win-win all the way. Treat payroll as a key business partner Embracing legislative changes and integrating them into daily practice is nothing new to payroll. And in that
sense, automatic enrolment (AE) is no different. 13 years since its launch, it’s become business as usual, with payroll providers diligently developing the expertise and skills needed to manage workplace pensions on behalf of their clients. As pension providers, it’s vital we harness this knowledge when building our service propositions. Payroll providers aren’t our end-customer – they’re a key business partner, and we must treat them as such. Some simple ways to achieve this include: l inviting payroll providers to the discussion table when setting market strategies and developing products l using our platforms and reach to champion the payroll industry and highlight the vital role it plays in pensions l providing dedicated resources and support for payroll providers, including specialist team members who genuinely understand the unique role payroll plays. From my own experience, treating payroll partners as an integral part of the process makes a real difference.
When pension providers work closely with payroll professionals – offering clear communication, responsive support and genuinely valuing their expertise – it creates the conditions for stronger collaboration. This approach not only helps payroll deliver for their clients but also elevates the role of workplace pensions, enabling better outcomes for employers and employees alike. Empowering payroll is key to empowering pensions AE has forever changed the relationship between payroll and pensions, but we’re yet to realise its full potential. If you’re a payroll provider reading this, it’s time to demand more from workplace pension providers. For pension professionals like me, it’s time to step up further and recognise a key business partner which has been neglected by the industry for too long. By working together, we can build stronger partnerships which help achieve better outcomes for payroll providers, pension providers and, ultimately, our customers. n
ADVERTORIAL
Must-watch webinar: ‘Building a foundation for future payroll success’
P ayroll is a critical function, but it’s often under pressure from legacy systems, fragmented data, manual processes and increasing compliance demands. LACE Partners led an insightful, action-oriented webinar, which focussed on helping payroll professionals to future-proof their operations and invited reflection on five key questions to help you assess whether your payroll setup is helping or hindering your organisation. Led by industry experts Tricia Conway and Julie Choudhury , both seasoned senior managers at LACE Partners and Jessica Kinloch , Vice President of People Ops at AVEVA, the webinar explored the key foundations every payroll team needs to thrive. The hosts guided attendees through challenges such as operating with legacy systems and struggling with data inefficiencies, prompting you to assess
whether your payroll model is truly serving your business through offering worked examples, advice and solutions you can apply immediately. By listening to this on-demand webinar you’ll hear discussions surrounding: 1. What does a strong foundation for a payroll team look like in today’s environment, and where do you most often see organisations falling short? 2. How do legacy systems hold payroll teams back, and what are the key signals it’s time to modernise? 3. Where do you see the biggest disconnect between payroll data and the insight the business needs, and how can organisations close that gap? 4. And of course, the topic of artificial intelligence was covered, and unavoidable / expected questions raised by the attendees.
Payroll is more than processing. With the right structure, data and support, it can become a reliable, insight-driven function that adds real value to the business. But that begins by asking the right questions. Regardless of your position in payroll, this session offers valuable takeaways to strengthen your payroll function by looking at the fundamental foundations. n
You can access the webinar here: https://ow.ly/naFC50Wy0Vx
LACE’s whitepaper discusses how optimal payroll starts with the foundations, covering: l seven key pillars for optimal payroll l the importance of payroll foundations l strategies for payroll optimisation.
View the whitepaper here:
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 113 | September 2025
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