Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr N has complained that the Authority transferred his pension fund to a new pension scheme without having conducted adequate checks in relation to the receiving scheme, and failed to provide him with a sufficient warning as required by the Pensions Regulator. Mr N is concerned that his entire pension fund may have been lost or misappropriated.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

The complaint is upheld against the Authority because it failed:

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr N has complained that his application for the early payment of his benefits on the grounds of ill health has not been considered in a proper manner.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

The complaint is upheld against Veterans UK because it has failed to consider Mr N’s application for the early payment of his benefits in a proper manner. It has failed to put forward appropriate evidence and reasoning to support its decision to decline Mr N’s application.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mrs Y, as the administrator of the late Mr Y’s Estate, has complained about the Council’s handling of Mr Y’s retirement. Mrs Y considers that the Council had reason to bring forward Mr Y’s retirement date and had it done so he would have passed away having retired. Consequently, the death benefits paid out by the Scheme would have been greater.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

The complaint should be upheld against the Council because:-

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr T’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right the Trustees should sign the necessary paperwork to allow Mr T to access his benefits, pay interest on any late payment of benefits and pay Mr T £500 to recognise his distress and inconvenience.

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

Complaint summary

Mr T’s complaint is that the Trustees are refusing to sign paperwork that will allow him access to his benefits from the Scheme.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mrs S’ complaint is about the Trustees’ decision not to pay her a benefit from the Scheme following the death of her husband. The Trustees’ decision is to pay the death in service lump sum to her children, along with the dependent’s pension.  While Mrs S does not dispute the decision to pay the benefits to her children, she is claiming that she should have received part of the death benefit to assist her in paying off Mr S’ debts and his share of their joint mortgage.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs D’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right NHS BSA will reconsider Mrs D’s eligibility for Permanent Injury Benefit (PIB) and pay her £500 to recognise the significant distress and inconvenience it has caused her.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs D’s complaint is that NHS BSA has refused her application for PIB.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr S’ complaint concerns Royal London’s decision not to exercise discretion in relation to the lump sum death benefit arising on his son’s death.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs S’ complaint is upheld and to put matters right the Trustees shall pay Mrs S £7,345, comprising: £4,845 for legal costs, £1,000 for IFA costs and £1,500 for distress and inconvenience caused.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs S’ complaint is about the miscalculation of her ex-husband’s pension which was used in the consideration of a Pension Sharing Order (PSO).

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr N complains that Mr Paterson has not adhered to the settlement agreed last year, when Mr N brought his original complaint to this Office.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

Mr N’s complaint is upheld, because Mr Paterson has not met the terms of an agreed settlement.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr D’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right SYP shall reconsider its decision not to pay Mr D’s deferred benefits early on the grounds of ill health.

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

Complaint summary

Mr D has complained that his application for the early payment of his deferred benefits on the grounds of ill health has not been considered properly.