MMC UK Pension Fund (PO-27659)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr Y’s complaint against the Trustee is partly upheld. To put matters right for the part that is upheld, the Trustee shall award Mr Y £2,000 for the severe non-financial injustice which he has suffered while dealing with this matter.

Complaint summary

Mr Y has complained that the Trustee informed him repeatedly over a number of years that he was entitled to a deferred pension in the Fund despite the benefit having been transferred to the Bankside Underwriting Agencies Pension Scheme (the Bankside Scheme) on 1 November 1985. He contends that he had relied upon the incorrect information from the Trustee to his considerable financial detriment by:

· applying unnecessarily for enhanced protection in 2006, the result of which was that he could no longer pay contributions into his other pension arrangements and benefit from tax relief/potential investment growth on them;

· reducing his working hours in 2006 and thus experiencing a subsequent loss of earnings; and

· deciding not to seek another lucrative job after being made redundant in late 2009.