Local Government Pension Scheme (PO-19320)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Ms R’s complaint against the Council 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) the Council shall award Ms R £500 in recognition of the significant distress and inconvenience which she has suffered dealing with this matter.

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

Complaint summary

Ms R complains that the Council, her former employer, wrongly refused her request for Tier 1 benefits in the LGPS, payable from 2 February 2015, and only reversed its incorrect decision in April 2017 following the intervention of the Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS). She is unhappy that the Council is now refusing to award interest for late payment of her pension and tax free lump sum benefits, from 2 February 2015 at 8% pa simple, she also believes that she should receive compensation commensurate with the considerable distress and inconvenience she has suffered during the ongoing dispute. She has calculated that the Council should award her approximately £22K compensation to put matters right.