Guardian Financial Services Retirement Annuity Pension Scheme (PO-4242)

Subject

Mr Shepherd complains that Guardian Financial Services (GFS) provided him with incorrect information (both oral and written) about the benefits available to him from the Scheme which he relied upon to his financial detriment.

The Pensions Ombudsman’s determination and short reasons

The complaint should not be upheld against GFS. Mr Shepherd is clearly no longer entitled to any retirement benefits from the Scheme. Although GFS provided him with contrary information several times during 2013 he did not reasonably act to his detriment relying on a belief that he was entitled to benefits.