Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

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

Complaint summary

Mr Y has complained that Friends Life are insisting that he takes independent financial advice before he can withdraw all his pension benefits, from the Plan.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Professor N’s complaint and no further action is required by USS.

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

Complaint summary

Professor N’s complaint is that USS failed to provide her with adequate information regarding the Scheme Pays facility, including that there was a deadline by when the election for Scheme Pays for tax year 2013/14 had to be received by USS.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs N’s complaint and no further action is required by JLT.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs N is unhappy that JLT failed to provide her with a cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) prior to her retirement from the Scheme.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

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

Complaint summary

Mr N’s complaint arises because Thomsons did not process an online instruction to increase the level of his employee contributions.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

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

Complaint summary

Mr N has complained that Aviva have refused to honour the contract he has for pension increases at 5% a year to be applied to the pension.

Outcome

1. I agree with the complaint but, in my opinion, the offer of compensation made by the Trustees and Mercer is sufficient.
2. My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

3. Mr D has complained that the pension paid to him was lower than originally quoted and the tax-free cash lump sum was later misquoted.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs W’s complaint against CPF is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right (for the part that is upheld) CPF should pay Mrs W £500.

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

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr T’s complaint against James Hay and Phoenix Life is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right, for the part that is upheld, Phoenix Life shall pay into Mr T’s new pension arrangement redress in respect of any loss incurred by its actions. Phoenix Life shall also pay £500 to Mr T in respect of the significant distress and inconvenience he has suffered.

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

Ombudsman’s Determination

 Complaint Summary

Mr R’s complaint against A&SPCC and the Chief Constable relates to their alleged failure to inform him of the tax penalties on his retirement benefits as a consequence of his re-employment within a month of his retirement.

We have four other complaints (in addition to Mr R’s) on identical issues against A&SPCC and The Chief Constable.

We also have an additional three complaints on identical issues, but against the Additional Respondents.

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.