Ombudsman’s Determination

Complaint Summary

Mr N has complained that Veterans UK has failed to consider his application for the early payment of his preserved pension in a proper manner.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s Determination and reasons

The complaint should be upheld against Veterans UK because it failed to explain its decision to Mr N.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr F’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right the Trustee of IMC Pension Scheme shall within 14 days of the date of this Determination confirm to Rowanmoor his agreement to the release of the balance of Mr F’s funds. If Mr D fails to do so then Rowanmoor shall, as Trustee, authorise the payment to Mr F.

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

Complaint summary

Mr F has complained that the Trustee has refused to authorise the release of the balance of his fund in the Scheme.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mr S’ complaint and no further action is required by the Company or the Trustees.

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

Complaint summary

Mr S’ complaint concerns the Company’s and Trustees’ failure to properly consider his circumstances when considering whether to grant consent to an early retirement pension.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs S’s complaint and no further action is required by National Grid.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs S’s complaint against National Grid is that she says she left employment with a compromise agreement (the Agreement) that she could take an unreduced pension from age 50. However, she has now been told that she is not able to.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Ms 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

Ms N has complained that Aviva have said she is unable to take her benefits as a lump sum, because she has already started receiving annuities from the Plans.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mrs Y’s complaint and no further action is required by the Council.

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

Complaint summary

Mrs Y is unhappy with the decision made by the Council not to grant her early release of her pension on compassionate grounds. In her opinion she meets the Scheme requirements and would like access to her pension.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mrs I’s complaint is upheld and to put matters right Southwark Council shall pay Mrs I the equivalent of seven and a half months of pension for the lack of pension payments between 16 October 2016 and 1 June 2017; together with interest at the base bank rate for the time being quoted by the Bank of England for the period from 16 October 2016 to the date of payment inclusive; and £3,000 for the exceptional distress and inconvenience she has experienced.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Miss L’s complaint and no further action is required by the Trustee.

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

Complaint summary

Miss L’s complaint is that her incapacity pension (IP) has ceased upon review.

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr S’ complaint against Veterans UK 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, Veterans UK shall pay Mr S £500 for the significant distress and inconvenience he has suffered.

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

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

I do not uphold Mr E’s complaint and no further action is required by the Trustee and Fidelity.

Complaint summary

Mr E has complained that Fidelity failed to provide information to his independent financial adviser (IFA) in a timely manner. As a consequence, Mr E says he was not able to complete his transfer from the Fund to The James Hay Personal Pension Plan inside the guarantee period.