Local Government Pension Scheme (PO-17262)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Ms E’s complaint is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right, the Council should compensate her for the non-financial loss she has suffered.

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

Complaint summary

Ms E says that she was not previously made aware of any restrictions to transfer out after her 59th birthday. As a result, she was unable to make informed financial decisions about her pension.

Ms E says the Council and Liberata, the administrators of the Scheme, failed to provide information about her pension, and gave incorrect information – she was quoted a cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) in January 2016. She was then advised that she no longer had a right to take a CETV.