Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Ms N has complained that NHS BSA has said she is not eligible to retain Special Class Status (SCS). This means if she decides to retire at age 55, she will be subject to retirement reductions.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Ms R’s complaint and no further action is required by SPPA.

Complaint summary

Ms R’s complaint is that SPPA should re-instate her Mental Health Officer (MHO) status.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs N’s complaint against the Council 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) the Council shall pay Mrs N £500 in recognition of the significant distress and inconvenience caused.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Dr K’s complaint and no further action is required by SPPA.

Complaint summary

Dr K holds SPPA responsible for a reduction in her pension benefit entitlement at retirement age. Dr K argues this is a result of SPPA’s decision, made in 2011, that she was no longer eligible to continue her membership in the Scheme following a change in job role.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr N’s complaint is that BA refused to keep a record of his Fixed Protection 2014 (FP14), certificate and that he was not provided with adequate notice of his re-enrolment into the Scheme by BA or with adequate information about his right to opt-out and the process for doing so. As a result of his membership of the Scheme Mr N’s FP14 has been invalidated.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

Complaint summary

Mr N’s complaint is that his former employer, LCRC, and GMPF will not now allow him to present a claim for back-dated Scheme membership.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Ms S’ complaint and no further action is required by the Respondents.

Complaint summary

Ms S has complained that the Respondents are unable to identify any pension benefits in her name that she believes she accrued in the Scheme.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

Complaint summary

Mrs A disagrees with RLMISL’s position that she has no entitlement left within the Scheme. RLMISL said that Mrs A received a refund of contributions when she left the Scheme. Mrs A said that she never received this.

As a result, Mrs A would like to be compensated for the losses and/or for the non-payment of the pension that was due to her.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

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

Complaint summary

Mr N’s complaint is that the Trustees did not inform him that he had to complete two years’ pensionable service in the Plan before he would become entitled to a deferred pension. Had he known, he would have made other pension arrangements or stayed in employment until the two-year period was satisfied.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs E’s complaint against NHS BSA is upheld and, to put matters right, NHS BSA shall, within 28 days of the date of this Determination, reconsider Mrs E’s eligibility for Special Class Status (SCS). This is because there are flaws in NHS BSA’s decision making process; that is: