Teachers’ Pension Scheme (PO-10108)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs N’s complaint and no further action is required by Teachers’ Pensions.

My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

Mrs N’s complaint is that Teachers’ Pensions failed to complete her application to transfer her benefits to a scheme in New Zealand, by the deadline to do so in April 2015.

Mrs N’s complaint is summarised as follows:

• Teachers’ Pensions provided her with incorrect information, in July 2014, that she would not be affected by “scheme reform in 2015”.
• She says that Teachers’ Pensions should have informed her of the upcoming changes to legislation much earlier and that she would also have started the process earlier if Teachers’ Pensions had not misled her.  She would like compensation of £14,741 (the tax charge she will face if she transfers her benefits to New Zealand at age 60), or a transfer to a qualifying scheme in New Zealand.