The long awaited guide on "How to avoid the Pensions Ombudsman" has now been published by the Pensions Ombudsman. The guide sets out the general principles underlying the Ombudsman's decision-making and uses case studies to illustrate how the principles have been applied in practice.
By setting out guidance the Ombudsman seeks to encourage improvement in the following areas:
- the way schemes communicate with members;
- provision of information to individuals (i.e. quotes and transfer values);
- the general running of the scheme;
- decision making (focusing on the duties and standards and also the administrative principles);
- decisions relating to ill-health retirement applications;
- payment of death benefits;
- complaints handling; and
- winding up schemes.
The Ombudsman also states:
"To these principles I will be adding the need to take account of the Codes of Practice issued by the Pensions Regulator. While I will not automatically be critical of a decision not to follow the provisions of such a code I will be expecting Trustees to take account of such provisions and to have reasons for any decision to depart from the guidance."
To view the full publication please click here. This will open PDF in a new window.
If you have any problems accessing this link, please click the Publications link from the PO website: http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/
