Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (PO-13320)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr E’s complaint against BFRS is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right (for the part that is upheld) BFRS should recalculate the overpayment from 25 November 2010 and inform Mr E of the revised amount.

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

Complaint summary

Mr E’s complaint is that his pension has been overpaid through no fault of his own and the resultant overpayment should be written off. Mr E asserts that he made financial and lifestyle choices based on the pension he received and the pensions increase due on his 55^th birthday. Although he has not suffered an actual loss, he asserts that the repayment plan suggested by BFRS would be extremely difficult for him to meet.