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Robert's Pension Digest - Edition 3

Robert Wakefield    15th January, 2026

Robert's Pension Digest - Edition 3

Keeping Track of your Overseas Scheme Members

Pension schemes must maintain accurate member addresses and confirm pensioners’ existence to prevent overpayments. While this is straightforward in the UK, overseas members present unique challenges.

Why is it harder overseas?

  • Data access restrictions: Different countries have varying data protection laws, limiting access to national databases. For example, UK schemes can check death registers, but similar checks aren’t always possible abroad.
  • Limited local data: Overseas residence databases are also often inaccessible.
  • Innovative solutions: Social media, forensic tracing methods, and genealogical tracing methods now make locating overseas members more feasible.
  • Digital verification: Many firms now offer secure online tools and apps for existence checks via smartphones. 

Beware of Scammers

Online verification typically involves uploading an official ID and a selfie for comparison. Scammers are finding ways to exploit these systems, so technology now includes biometrics, liveness detection, and even 3D facial mapping to stay ahead.

Why does all this matter?

Beyond routine checks, these tools are vital for projects like de-risking exercises and preparing accurate data for pensions dashboards.

What about traditional methods?

Paper-based verification has drawbacks:

  • Risk of interception and fraud
  • Cost of professional certification
  • Unreliable overseas postal services 

The good news

Modern solutions make staying connected with overseas members easier and more secure than ever.

For any questions or to discuss further please reach out to justin.mcguirk@thetracinggroup.co.uk

Robert

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