Scottish Teacher’s Superannuation Scheme (PO-14221)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mr Y’s complaint and no further action is required by SPPA.

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

Complaint summary

Mr Y complains of the financial loss he says he has suffered, as a result of having entered SPPA’s ‘winding down employment arrangement’ (the arrangement), which he says is not fit for purpose.

Mr Y is unhappy that the final pensionable salary used for calculating his retirement benefits was the lower salary he received 365 days prior to entering the arrangement. Mr Y says this is unfair as it does not preserve the true value of his pension benefits for service he accrued prior to entering the arrangement. He claims his lower salary should only be used for the two year period in which he was in the arrangement.