Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (CAS-49707-Q5P1)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mr W’s complaint and no further action is required by Cabinet Office, MyCSP or PAC.  

Complaint summary

1. Mr W complained that:- 

   1. PAC, MyCSP and the Cabinet Office gave him incorrect information regarding his membership of PCSPS, resulting in a possible lower pension. 

   2. He was forced out of the Prudential Platinum Pension Scheme and back into the Classic section of PCSPS. He questioned the legality of such an action and was of the view that this transfer was to his detriment, as the Prudential Scheme was more beneficial to him.   

   3. Prior to re-joining PCSPS Classic, he was told that this was his only option. However, this was not correct as he has since been able to transfer into a new partnership pension. 

   4. Prior to re-joining PCSPS Classic, he was told that aggregation of his first period of service in PCSPS Classic with his second period of service was not possible. Because of this, he decided to take benefits from the first period of service. He was later told that aggregation was possible but was subsequently told again that it was not.   

   5. Approximately two years’ of pension contributions went missing from his pension records and he has not received an explanation about this.