IORP II Article Crosswalk
This crosswalk maps each operative Article of IORP II (EU Directive 2016/2341) to its Irish transposition in S.I. 128/2021 (European Union (Occupational Pension Schemes) Regulations 2021) and the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended), the corresponding PensionPortal.ai platform module, and the specific evidence artifact the platform generates to demonstrate compliance. This is the primary reference document for trustees preparing for a Pensions Authority inspection, an internal audit, or a scheme adviser due diligence review.How to Use This Crosswalk
Each row in the mapping table below represents a discrete IORP II compliance obligation. For each obligation:- Identify the Irish reference — The S.I. 128/2021 Regulation and the Pensions Act section that gives effect to the IORP II Article in Irish law.
- Navigate to the PensionPortal.ai module — The platform module that supports compliance with that obligation.
- Export the evidence artifact — The specific artifact that the platform generates to evidence compliance — suitable for trustee board review, regulatory enquiry, or auditor request.
IORP II was transposed into Irish law in two tranches. S.I. 128/2021 covers the core governance and operational risk provisions. Amendments to the Pensions Act 1990 (Part VIB, Sections 64S–64AO) provide the primary legislative vehicle. Where both references are relevant, both are cited.
IORP II Article-by-Article Crosswalk
| IORP II Article | Topic | Irish Implementation | PensionPortal.ai Module | Evidence Artifact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article 21 | System of governance | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 21 / Section 64T Pensions Act | Governance module, policy registry | Policy register with approval dates, board minutes, governance structure documentation |
| Article 22 | Risk management system | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 22 / Section 64U Pensions Act | Risk register, ORA module | Risk register export, risk treatment plans, risk committee terms of reference |
| Article 23 | Fit and proper requirements | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 23 / Section 64V Pensions Act | KFH registry, fit & proper questionnaire module | F&P declarations, CPD records, appointment letters, regulatory history declarations |
| Article 24 | Compliance function | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 24 / Section 64W Pensions Act | Compliance officer dashboard, compliance monitoring log | Compliance monitoring reports, issue log, regulatory correspondence register |
| Article 25 | Risk management function | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 25 / Section 64X Pensions Act | Risk module, risk function reporting | Risk function reports, risk assessments, escalation records |
| Article 26 | Internal audit function | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 26 / Section 64Y Pensions Act | Audit module | Internal audit plans, audit findings reports, management responses, remediation tracking |
| Article 27 | Actuarial function | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 27 / Section 64Z Pensions Act | ACS module | Actuarial compliance statement (ACS), actuarial assumptions documentation, trustee sign-off record |
| Article 28 | Own risk assessment (ORA) | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 28 / Section 64AL Pensions Act | ORA module | ORA report, risk register underlying the ORA, trustee board sign-off record, prior ORA reports (minimum 3 years) |
| Article 29 | Written policies | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 29 / Section 64AA Pensions Act | Policy registry | Policy library with version history, board approval records, policy review log (annual review required) |
| Article 30 | Continuity and emergency planning | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 30 / Section 64AB Pensions Act | Operations module | Business continuity plan, BCP test records, emergency contact register, recovery time and point objectives |
| Article 31 | Outsourcing | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 31 / Section 64AK Pensions Act | Outsourcing register | Outsourcing register, written outsourcing agreements, DPAs with data processors, Pensions Authority notification records (for material outsourcing) |
| Article 32 | Depositary | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 32 / Section 64AC Pensions Act | Operations module | Depositary appointment record, depositary agreement, reporting records |
| Article 33 | Investment management | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 33 | Investment module | Investment policy statement, investment manager appointment records, performance monitoring reports |
| Article 37 | Prudent person rule | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 37 | Investment module | Investment policy statement, asset allocation documentation, risk diversification analysis |
| Article 41 | Disclosure to members | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 41 / Fifth Schedule Pensions Act | Member management module | Benefit statements, scheme information statements (SIIN), annual reports, transfer value statements |
| Article 48 | Statement of investment policy principles | S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 48 | Investment module | SIPP document, review records, member communication records |
| OMA Derogation | One-member arrangements | Section 64AO Pensions Act 1990 | OMA transition module | OMA compliance checklist, transition decision record, Pensions Authority notification (where applicable) |
Key Governance Documents Required Under Article 29
IORP II Article 29 (S.I. 128/2021, Reg. 29 / Section 64AA) requires trustees to maintain written policies covering, at minimum, the following areas. PensionPortal.ai’s Policy Registry provides templates and version control for each:Risk Management Policy
Documents how the scheme identifies, assesses, monitors, and manages all material risks including investment risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk.
Internal Audit Policy
Documents the scope, independence, methodology, and reporting lines of the internal audit function. Must address the independence requirement under Article 26.
Compliance Policy
Documents the compliance function’s scope, responsibilities, monitoring programme, and escalation procedures.
Remuneration Policy
Documents the remuneration structure for persons performing key functions, ensuring alignment with sound and effective risk management.
Investment Policy
The investment policy statement (IPS / SIPP) documenting the strategic asset allocation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and ESG considerations.
Contingency Plan
Business continuity and emergency plan required by Article 30. Must be tested at least annually.
OMA Transition: Structured Pathway
For one-member arrangement trustees, PensionPortal.ai’s OMA Transition Module provides a structured pathway:- Assessment: Classify the OMA against the Section 64AO criteria
- Options analysis: Document the trustee’s consideration of wind-up, consolidation, or full IORP II compliance
- Decision record: Board resolution recording the chosen pathway and rationale
- Implementation tracking: Track completion of each IORP II governance requirement if the full compliance route is chosen
- Pensions Authority notification: Where required under Section 64AO, generate and log the notification
Pensions Authority Inspection Readiness
The Pensions Authority conducts thematic reviews and scheme-specific inspections. The most common inspection focus areas are:- Governance structure: Is the system of governance documented and operating effectively? (Article 21)
- KFH appointments: Are all key function holders appointed, qualified, and maintaining CPD? (Article 23)
- ORA: Has the scheme completed an own risk assessment and can it demonstrate trustee sign-off? (Article 28)
- Written policies: Are the required policies in place, current, and board-approved? (Article 29)
- Outsourcing register: Is all material outsourcing documented with written agreements? (Article 31)