Teachers Pensions Scheme · CAS-34711-S5D1

CAS-34711-S5D1

Ombudsman’s Determination Applicant Mrs N

Scheme Teachers' Pensions Scheme (TPS)

Respondents Teachers' Pensions

Department for Education (DfE)

Outcome

Complaint summary

Background information, including submissions from the parties

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Adjudicator’s opinion

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Mrs N did not accept the Adjudicator’s opinion and said:

“It is indeed distressing to find at my age that because my husband failed to make contributions I am left with a very small pension. I have given possible reasons how this happened but apparently these cannot be considered. The outcome would be easier to accept if I was responsible for this myself, but on the grounds that I have to live with my husband’s negligence does indeed seem extremely unfair.

… I am not asking for a full widows [sic] pension but an increase in the present one.”

The complaint has now been passed to me to consider. Mrs N’s further comments do not change the outcome. I agree with the Adjudicator’s opinion and I will therefore only respond to the points made by Mrs N for completeness.

Ombudsman’s decision

I do not uphold Mrs N’s complaint.

Anthony Arter

Pensions Ombudsman 5 December 2019

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