Usdaw Staff Superannuation Fund (PO-15416)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Ms S’ complaint and no further action is required by the Trustees of the Fund.

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

Complaint summary

Ms S’ complaint against the Trustees is about their decision, in 2016, to exercise their discretion to change the rate of increase on her pension in payment from the basis of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). Ms S’ claims that, when she agreed to the change in the rules governing the Fund in 2000, she was not made aware that the Trustees could change the basis of the increase without her agreement.