Portigon UK Pension Plan (PO-4773)

Complaint summary

Ms Berry has complained that the Trustees of the Plan refused to transfer her brother’s funds to his SIPP even though they knew his life expectancy was less than 12 months.

Ms Berry wants the Trustee’s to pay her the difference between what she has received  following Mr Berry’s death and what would have been paid as a transfer.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s determination and reasons

The complaint should not be upheld:

•  the Trustees exercised their discretion not to accept Mr Berry’s transfer request;
•  their decision to offer immediate retirement to Mr Berry was not perversely reached;
•  following Mr Berry’s death, lump sum benefits were paid to Ms Berry in a timely manner.