Local Government Pension Scheme (PO-28251)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Ms N’s complaint against SPPA and FPF 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) FPF should award Ms N £1,000 for the serious distress and inconvenience it caused her.

Complaint summary

Ms N’s complaint is that SPPA and the FPF rejected her transfer request, because at the time she was less than a year away from her normal pension age (NPA) of 60. Ms N says that correspondence she previously received from FPF indicates that her NPA is 65, so the transfer should be allowed. Ms N has further complained that her partner of over 30 years would not be able to make a claim for benefits, in the event of her death, if a transfer is not allowed.