A number of Higher Education (HE) establishments were interviewed about the work they did to communicate the TPS to teachers. Based on their experiences and sector best practice the following are suggestions of some of the different types of communication activities that you may want to consider getting involved in.

Face to Face

Suggested communication activities include:

Getting people to engage about their pension scheme is a constant challenge for many employers. One university’s approach was to invest in two well publicised annual pension events – one specifically aimed at the TPS and one at the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

The TPS event focused on how the scheme worked and how you could increase your contributions in it. Billed as part of the overall staff development activities for all employees, the annual turnout is on average 25 people and it primarily attracts people new to the scheme and those due to retire in the next five years.

The event is promoted in the staff handbook and on the intranet and always receives very positive feedback. After each event interest in pensions increases as those who attended follow up individual issues relevant to them.

In addition, other people who have heard about the event from those who attend, also tend to follow up individual queries and requests for information at that point as their interest has been
stimulated in the issue.

By holding this event annually it has become part of the university fabric and has raised the profile of pensions and retirement planning generally.

The printed word

While the main communications emphasis in HE is electronic communications with staff being by and large very IT literate, there is still a need for some printed communications.

One generally successful and inexpensive way identified of providing hard copy pension information is to include a pension bulletin with an individual’s payslip. If possible personalising this information means people are more likely to read it and take it on board.

A key theme that came out of a number of the interviews with HE employers was that no one form of communication activity was 100% successful and what you really needed was a multi-channel approach. And as part of this approach print based communications, such as staff bulletins, briefings and articles in staff journals all have a valuable role to play.

Electronic communications

Suggested communication activities include:

The high rates of IT literacy in HE and the emphasis on centralised communications in comparison to other education sectors is a major strength however, in a world of mass communications making your message stand out can be a significant challenge.

Creating a distinct stand alone brand for your pension communications is one approach. People can clearly identify what the e-communication is about and will know at a glance whether it is something they are interested in.

Introducing greater elements of self selection can also have a significant impact on the success of your communication activities. A good website will enable you to drill down quickly to access information relevant to your situation.

Also, the facility to be able to register for e-mail alerts about particular topics concerning your pension and other personnel issues of interest means you can also ensure that you only get the information you want sent directly to your PC.

On-line discussion forums are also useful tools to help employers keep abreast of the key issues and topics that people are concerned about in regards their pensions and this information can be used to inform your other communications work.