I had always intended to withdraw my pension from an old employment scheme when I reached 55 (Summer this year) due to circumstances.

However, in April this year my husband died and he had no insurance to cover the funeral fees etc. I had a loan from a friend knowing my intentions of having my pension shortly. When I applied for my pension, I explained in detail what had happened and sent them a copy of his death certificate.

The scheme pays out at 2 levels. (i) element A = 27% reduction at age 55 instead of 60 and (ii) element B = 10% reduction due to hardship at age 55 instead of 60.

The committee only sit quarterly and therefore I was advised that I would initially be paid out on (i) with the 27% reduction until the committee had seen my documents and made a decision as to whether I would be entitled to the 'Hardship' level of pension.

I received the (i) rate at the reduction of 27% and have been advised over the telephone that circumstances have not met the committee's criteria and that I can appeal.

Please can anyone with any experience of these types of situations advise me as to how I would go about doing this and how I should word my appeal? I am discusted that I should have this hassle under these circumstances.

My cicrumstances are not getting any easier as my sister is terminally ill and will not make Christmas - I am struggling heavily financially and emotionally, I am a mess.

I would appreciate your guidance in this matter.

Many thanks in advance.

Shelley

So very sorry for your loss.

So to be clear, they are advising you, that the fact that your husband has passed away, with no insurance cover does not meet their hardship criteria. Leaving aside the fact that you have had to borrow to pay for the funeral expenses, I am assuming you will also be financially strapped moving forward !

I will try and find someone who might be able to advise.

Hello Shelley.

My OH, 'pensions bore', advises that you should obtain a copy of the internal dispute resolution procedure [iDRP]. This will advise the information that you need to supply on why you're disputing the decision, for example that they haven't considered your circumstances fully. What information did you send them on your financial affairs, income and expenditure and so on?

HB

I've moved your thread to the main pensions forum from the Media section. Hopefully you'll get more replies in this section.

HB

So very sorry for your loss.

 

So to be clear, they are advising you, that the fact that your husband has passed away, with no insurance cover does not meet their hardship criteria. Leaving aside the fact that you have had to borrow to pay for the funeral expenses, I am assuming you will also be financially strapped moving forward !

 

I will try and find someone who might be able to advise.

In a nutshell, spot on!

I explained in detail what had happened. I provided a breakdown of income and expenditure which displayed extreme hardship would be experienced due to the sudden change of circumstances.

I have been unable to meet some of my financial commitments and this has impacted upon my credit file now. This will naturally make it harder for me to obtain credit in the future, whereas, my original intention was to repay the loan to my friend and 're-jig' my finances to reduce the amount of interest on certain accounts, thus allowing me to pay smaller repayments on the remainder of my accounts and to take a small break away to contemplate the new chapter in my life.

I am unable to do this now but if i can overturn their decision it would assist in reducing some of my debt and hopefully enable me to plan for the immediate future maybe?

I will telephone them this week to ask for their internal dispute resolution procedure and see what their response will be.

From memory, the calibre of personnel I have spoken to previously, I don't think will have a clue what that is but one can try.

It might be better to write or email as well as ringing, Shelley, so you have a paper trail.

HB

it has to be in writing, copy it to the chairman of the trustees as well. You need a apper trail as you may end up at the Pensions Ombudsman's door. Still several steps away from that but it is all very slow progress.