Local Government Pension Scheme (PO-3931)

Subject

Mr Pinkstone has brought complaints to the Pensions Ombudsman Service on two previous occasions. Mr Pinkstone says that the Ombudsman’s directions have not been complied with because his application for ill health retirement was not reconsidered in the correct manner. He also says that LGPS’s internal dispute resolution procedure (IDRP) was not carried out correctly.

Mr Pinkstone’s complaint is against his former employer, the University, and Bradford MDC, who are the administering authority for West Yorkshire Pension Fund (part of LGPS).

The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman’s determination and short reasons

The complaint is partially upheld against the University because they delayed providing a response at stage 1 of IDRP and this was maladministration which caused inconvenience. The complaint is not upheld to its fullest extent because Mr Pinkstone’s ill health application was properly re-considered.

The complaint is not be upheld against Bradford MDC. The stage two IDRP decision was delayed for reasons beyond Bradford MDC’s control. They could not issue a response until the stage 1 letter had first been issued by the University and on being provided with the relevant documentation, Bradford MDC conducted a proper review of the University’s decision.