Check Your Pension Fund Investments
Prepare questions for fund managers and trustees based on ethical, environmental, and fiduciary standards.
Fund Disclosure Check
Gap Notes
ESG Screening Check
ESG Score
Fee Structure Review
Fee Notes
Corporate Governance Check
Governance Notes
Your Prepared Questions
Based on your audit, here are questions ready for your next fund manager meeting. Edit or add your own below.
"Can you provide the most recent holdings listing and explain any discrepancies from the prospectus?"
"What ESG screening process do you use, and which companies have been excluded in the past year?"
"How do your fees compare to similar funds, and what value do they deliver to members?"
"What is your proxy voting record on climate-related shareholder resolutions?"
Why This Audit Matters
Pension fund members have a legal right to know how their money is invested, but the information is often scattered across multiple documents or presented in dense language. This checker helps you organize what you find into four clear categories that matter most for member oversight.
The Fund Disclosure section focuses on transparency. If your fund cannot provide a complete holdings list or does not explain its investment strategy, that is a legitimate question for the annual meeting. Missing geographic or sector breakdowns may indicate lack of diversification reporting.
ESG Screening is increasingly important as members seek assurance that their pension money does not fund harmful industries. A fund may claim to be ethical but not publish its exclusion criteria. Ask for the full policy document, not just a summary statement.
Fee Structure review helps you understand what you are paying for. High or opaque fees erode retirement savings over decades. Comparing your fund's expense ratio to industry averages can reveal whether you are getting fair value.
Corporate Governance covers how the fund makes decisions. Independent trustees, published voting records, and clear consultation processes protect member interests. These are harder to find than performance numbers, making them prime questions for meetings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the footnotes. Fee percentages in tables may not include all costs. Look for total expense ratios.
- Accepting marketing language. Phrases like "responsible investing" need specific policy documentation to mean anything.
- Not asking about missed disclosures. If a fund does not publish ESG data, ask why. The reason may reveal policy gaps.
- Comparing to inappropriate benchmarks. Your fund may be compared to a different asset allocation. Verify the baseline.
- One-time review. Use this checker each year before the annual meeting. Policies and holdings change.
Assumptions This Checker Makes
- Your fund publishes an annual report or prospectus online.
- You have access to these documents before your meeting.
- The fund has a named manager or investment committee you can question.
- You are a member with voting rights or observer status.
- Questions are asked in good faith and with proper notice.