If you are in any doubt about your benefit entitlement, or have a problem or question about your LGPS membership or benefits please contact the Pensions Section. We will seek to clarify or put right any misunderstanding or inaccuracies as quickly and efficiently as possible.
If you are still dissatisfied with any decision made in relation to the Scheme you have the right to have your complaint reviewed under the Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) and there are also other regulatory bodies that may be able to assist you. The various procedures and bodies are detailed in this section.
Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP)
Stage 1
An initial application to a "Specified Person" appointed by your employer who has not been involved in the subject matter under dispute. This application must be made within six months of the date the issue under disagreement came to light. Specified Persons must act with fairness and have experience of pension issues. The Specified Persons owe a duty of care to the person or bodies affected by their decision.
Please contact your employer in the first instance for details of their Specified Person.
Stage 2
If the Scheme member is not satisfied with the Specified Person's decision the matter can, within 6 months of the Specified Person's decision, be referred to the Administering Authority for further consideration.
For more information please view the full Employees Guide to the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure.
Other bodies which can help:
Pensions Regulator
From April 2005 there is a new regulator of occupational pensions schemes called the Pensions Regulator; which replaces the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA). The Pensions Regulator has new powers and a new approach to protecting pension benefits. The Pensions Regulator works with trustees, scheme managers and employers to help protect the benefits built up for you and other members.
If you require further information on the Pensions Regulator you can get in touch
by writing to:
The Pensions Regulator
Napier House
Trafalgar Place
Brighton
BN1 4DW
The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)
TPAS can also assist in resolving problems by explaining Scheme members’ rights and responsibilities. TPAS is the official organisation which should be contacted first if it has not been possible to settle a dispute using the internal procedure described previously.
TPAS can be contacted at:
The Pensions Advisory Service
11 Belgrave Road
London
SW1V 1RB
Pensions Ombudsman
In cases where a complaint or dispute cannot be resolved after the intervention of TPAS, an application can be made, within three years of the event to the Pensions Ombudsman for adjudication. The Ombudsman can investigate and determine any complaint or dispute involving maladministration of the Scheme or matters of fact or law, his or her decision is final and binding. Matters where legal proceedings have already started cannot be investigated.
The Pension Ombudsman can be contacted at:
The Pension Ombudsman
11 Belgrave Road
London
SW1V 1RB.
The Pensions Registry
Set up to help people trace their pension rights if they have lost touch with their former schemes. All occupational and personal
pension schemes have to register with the Registry. The Local Government Pension Scheme is on the register. If you need to use
this service please write to:
The Registrar of Pension Schemes
PO Box 1NN
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1NN.
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