Unilever Pension Fund (PO-13220)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs E’s complaint and no further action is required by Trustees of the Unilever UK Pension Fund or Unilever plc.

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

Complaint summary

Trustees of the Unilever UK Pension Fund have provided a joint response on behalf of both respondents. As such, I will refer to both respondents collectively as “Unilever”.

Mrs E is unhappy because Unilever led her to believe, for a number of years, that she would receive an unreduced pension from age 60. However, in 2014, she was informed that she could only take an unreduced pension from age 65. She states she had not planned for this and as a result she will be caused financial loss due to Unilever’s maladministration.

Mrs E also believes that Unilever has provided an unreduced pension to other UPF members in her situation, and she questions the validity of their decision.