Universities Superannuation Scheme (CAS-40688-H9G9)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

The complaint is not upheld. While the restructure proposal was a trigger for Ms E to seek a settlement and her role was expected to diminish, the termination of her employment was “wholly or mainly attributable to” her poor working relationship with Mrs R, the effect this was having on her health and that with legal support she felt comfortable to seek a Compromise Agreement.

Complaint summary

Ms E said she was made redundant by SCONUL on 16 November 2012. She alleges that SCONUL subsequently incorrectly informed USS Ltd that she had left by mutual agreement and was therefore not entitled to an unreduced immediate early retirement pension from the USS.

Ms E has also complained that USS Ltd provided her with insufficient and misleading information about her pension rights available on redundancy, which resulted in her failure to apply for an unreduced pension from the USS in November 2012.