HSC Pension Scheme (PO-12107)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

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

Complaint summary

Mr Y has complained that he was led to believe he could transfer the value of his deferred pension benefits in the Scheme, to a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) with AEGON after April 2015.

Mr Y says that HSC are at fault for failing to inform him that a change in legislation prevented transfers from unfunded Defined Benefit (DB) public sector schemes into Defined Contribution (DC) arrangements. Therefore it would not be possible for Mr Y to transfer his benefits in the Scheme to a SIPP.