Dengie Crops Limited Staff Pension Scheme (PO-3870)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr N’s complaint against Dengie is partly upheld. To put matters right (for the part that is upheld) Dengie should, within 28 days, provide Mr N with a Special Member Letter setting out all the Scheme benefits to be provided to him as set out in his letter of 16 May 2016.

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

Complaint summary

Mr N has complained that his pension benefits have not been correctly documented and that there are a number of areas where there is doubt concerning the benefit to be provided. Mr N has highlighted the following areas where he requires clarification:

• whether he has copies of all of the documents that govern the Scheme in his possession;
• the level of pension that should be reduced if he were to retire between the ages of 60 and 65;
• the calculation of Final Pensionable Salary and the inclusion of car allowance; and
• the purported change in the escalation rate in 2002 to change the escalation rate to RPI capped at 5%.

Mr N has not received the Special Member Letter that was agreed would be prepared for him.