NHS Pension Scheme (PO-15572)

Ombudsman’s Determination

I do not uphold Mrs E’s complaint and no further action is required by the Trust.Outcome

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

Complaint summary

Mrs E complains that the Trust failed to inform her at the time she entered into the added years contract that the extra membership which she was purchasing of 3 years 61 days would be insufficient to achieve her aim of 40 years’ total pensionable service in the Scheme on reaching age 60 in August 2015.

It transpired that her total pensionable service in the Scheme at age 60 including the extra membership purchased was only 38 years 2 days and in order to put matters right, Mrs E would like the Trust to pay her the additional retirement benefits available from the Scheme based on 40 years’ pensionable service. She says that the extra contributions due from her in order to purchase the shortfall of 1 year 10 months’ pensionable service may be deducted by the Trust from the additional benefits available to her.