Teachers Pension Scheme (PO-2967)

Subject

Mr Carter complains that he did not receive an “in service” death benefit from the Scheme on the death of his wife, Mrs Carter. Mr Carter also says that Mrs Carter should have been advised that she could take her normal retirement benefits when her pay was reduced to zero in January 2012.

The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman’s determination and short reasons

The complaint should not be upheld against TP because:

• In accordance with the Regulations, Mrs Carter’s entitlement to retirement benefits arose with effect from 30 January 2012 and therefore her entitlement to “in service” death benefits ceased from that date.
• The information provided by TP in the Annual Benefit Statement dated 31 March 2011 cannot be regarded as misleading or inaccurate.

The complaint should be upheld against the College because:

Mr and Mrs Carter will have suffered distress because of the College’s failure to inform TP that Mrs Carter was no longer in pensionable employment when she was placed on zero pay and also failed to point out to Mrs Carter that because she was no longer receiving pay her benefits had become payable