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The Pensions Ombudsman
14 June 2006
The Pensions Ombudsman investigates and decides complaints and disputes concerning occupational pension schemes.
He has been given his role and powers by Parliament, and is appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions. He is completely independent and acts as an impartial adjudicator.
The Pensions Ombudsman’s decision is final and binding on all the parties to the complaint or dispute. It can be enforced in the Courts. His decision can only be changed by appealing to the appropriate Court on a point of law.
Although only the Ombudsman has the power to make the final and binding decision, he is assisted by experienced and well-qualified staff and advisers, who have authority to act on his behalf.
If your dispute is with the Trustees or the scheme authorities, the Ombudsman will only be able to investigate if you have used, or attempted to use, the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure. Applications to the Ombudsman are normally made after The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) have been involved in trying to resolve the complaint.
The Ombudsman can only undertake investigations into disputes or complaints that have been referred to him within three years of the act or omission that you are complaining about or disputing.
For more information go to the Pensions Ombudsman website. You can view determinations, or decisions, that the Ombudsman has made in a range of cases over the years.
Contact Details
Pensions section
Ph: 0161 249 2440
Fax: 0161 249 2475
Email: pensions@usdaw.org.uk
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