NHS Pension Scheme (PO-24098)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs H’s complaint and no further action is required by NHS BSA.

My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

Mrs H has complained that she should have contributed to the Scheme between 1994 and 2001, during which time she was employed by the NHS as a bank nurse. No contributions were collected from her during this period and consequently it shows as a break in membership on her Scheme record resulting in a loss of Special Class Status (SCS). Mrs H states that she did not opt out of the Scheme at any time and as such believes the break in membership occurred through no fault of her own, for which she is being penalised because she has lost her SCS.