Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PO-14587)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs R’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right MyCSP should, with Cabinet Office guidance, put a suitable procedure in place and use that to assess Mrs R’s circumstances to see whether she meets the criteria for living together as a married couple.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs R’s complaint is that MyCSP stopped her widow’s pension as it considers she is now in a relationship equal to that of a husband and wife. As a result of a delay in suspending the widow’s pension, Mrs R is now required to repay an overpayment.