Deferred pension

CTT_2

I was very surpised to receive a letter from a well known utility companys pension scheme via the Works and Pensions Dept stating they have been trying to trace me to advise me of my benefits due to me from when I worked for them.

Considering I left over 32 years ago and worked for them only 6 months I thought as with any other former pension scheme the onus would be on me to contact them.

Debt_Free_Chick

CTT wrote:

I was very surpised to receive a letter from a well known utility companys pension scheme via the Works and Pensions Dept stating they have been trying to trace me to advise me of my benefits due to me from when I worked for them.

Considering I left over 32 years ago and worked for them only 6 months I thought as with any other former pension scheme the onus would be on me to contact them.

But they have contacted you, haven't they?

Have you lived at the same address for 32 years? Even if you have, record keeping in that time has changed dramatically. I don't think Pension Schemes kept details of home addresses for members that long ago. What they have done is to ask the DWP (Department of Work & Pensions) to forward a letter to you, using your NI Number and your address from the Inland Revenue records.

Whilst some might agree that the onus is on the Pension Scheme, I don't think you're completely off the hook. Surely if you have an entitlement you should ensure it's paid to you, unless you're happy to throw money away. If you have moved, then the onus is definitely on you to advise the pension scheme.

Finally, these days (since about 1992, I think), the pension scheme is only required to attempt to contact you at the last known address i.e. the last address they had recorded for you. Once they do that, their legal obligations are exhausted.

The pension scheme still does not have your address, so you will need to contact them and let them know where you live. They will then fulfil their obligations and contact you when they are required to. However, when you are due to retire, YOU should contact them and let them know, so they can make the necessary arrangements.

It seems to me that the pension scheme has done the right thing and you have nothing to complain about. Have I misunderstood?