Local Government Pension Scheme - Derbyshire Pension Fund (CAS-31359-Q6T4)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs S’ complaint and no further action is required by Derbyshire Council.

Complaint summary

Mrs S has complained that Derbyshire Council, in its capacity as the administering authority of the LGPS (DPF), did not:

· provide her with sufficient information regarding the option of transferring pension rights in the LGPS; and

· make her aware, until November 2017, that the two deferred pensions which she had accrued in the LGPS while working for Sheffield City Council and subsequently Derbyshire Council, were “linked” and that by receiving one meant she could no longer transfer the other.

Mrs S has also alleged that Derbyshire Council improperly provided her with advice in its letter dated 3 November 2004, which she relied on, to her detriment, by keeping her two deferred pensions separate. She consequently forfeited an opportunity to transfer her LGPS pensions, once consolidated, to a self-invested personal pension (SIPP).