📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Aegon Section 32 GMP problem

I have a policy with Aegon (Scottish Equitable) under a section 32 buyout. The policy schedule when issued included reserved contributions for a GMP of £752.44 revalued to state pension age of £6,275.44. The rate of revaluation was 8.5%
The service under the original pension started in 1977 and ended in 1987, the contracted out service also ended in 1987
When I queried the current value of the fund two years ago Aegon referred to the GMP and stated that although there was insufficient value for the GMP they would make up the difference,
As my retirement date is imminent Aegon have notified me of my options but the GMP entitlement is considerably less with no benefits accrued post April 1988
I have wrote to them 7 weeks ago pointing out this discrepancy and enclosing the original policy schedule but they have not yet replied
Can anyone comment on this?
«134

Comments

  • What is this discrepancy from the original policy schedule then? You have not told us, how do you expect us to comment?

    Your contracted out service was from 1977 to 1987 and the rate of revaluation is 8.5% which is correct. You'll be entitled to a revalued pension of £6,275.44 p.a.
    Stephen Covey once said that "when you teach once, you learn twice". That is the primary reason for my participation on the forums as an IFA.

    Although I strive to provide accurate information in my posts, there may be the odd time when I fail. Yes I know it's hard to believe but even Your Hero can make mistakes. Apologies in advance.
  • Narfie
    Narfie Posts: 11 Forumite
    The descrepancy is that Aegon have now stated that the GMP under the policy is £2,675.52 pa accrued pre 6 April 1988 and there is no accrual post 1988 This is a significant reduction and I do not know why, they had previously confirmed the GMP of £6,275.55 and stated that although there was insufficient value to fund this they would still honour it in accordance with the policy,
  • Narfie wrote: »
    The descrepancy is that Aegon have now stated that the GMP under the policy is £2,675.52 pa accrued pre 6 April 1988 and there is no accrual post 1988 This is a significant reduction and I do not know why, they had previously confirmed the GMP of £6,275.55 and stated that although there was insufficient value to fund this they would still honour it in accordance with the policy,
    Seems strange because £752.44 revalued at 8.5% for 26 years is £6,275 assuming your retirement age is 65 this year ("imminent" retirement date as stated).

    Have you tried phoning Aegon to follow up on the letter and find out why?
    Stephen Covey once said that "when you teach once, you learn twice". That is the primary reason for my participation on the forums as an IFA.

    Although I strive to provide accurate information in my posts, there may be the odd time when I fail. Yes I know it's hard to believe but even Your Hero can make mistakes. Apologies in advance.
  • Ickle
    Ickle Posts: 11 Forumite
    I would definitely speak to Aegon.

    They are correct to state that you did not accrue any Post88 GMP benefits as you had left the scheme by then.

    However, your benefits revalue between date of leaving and state pension age at the fixed 8.5% p.a. If the benefits were £752.44 this does revalue to £6,275.44.

    I would get them to confirm the amount of GMP entitlement you have at both Date of Leaving the scheme (i.e. when you ceased to accrue further GMP benefits) and at State Pension Age (i.e. the revalued amount).
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,593 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    http://www.pruadviser.co.uk/content/nav/about/26674/pghome/49880/53732/53759/53768/53789/

    If fixed rate was chosen, then the rate is indeed 8.5%. See above.

    You need to speak to Aegon.

    Have you yet had your state pension statement?

    What is the contracted out deduction shown?

    Aegon have no obligation to index link your GMP pension (all pre 88) when it comes into payment.
  • WobblyDog
    WobblyDog Posts: 512 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 30 October 2014 at 5:57PM
    I can't help noticing that £2,675.52 and £6,275.55 are almost the same, with a couple of figures transposed. Perhaps someone at Aegon has fat fingers?

    I have a deferred GMP pension myself, and can't quite believe that it's really going to rise by 6.25% per year for the next 20 years.
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 45,593 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I have a deferred GMP pension myself, and can't quite believe that it's really going to rise by 6.25% per year for the next 20 years.

    http://www.barnett-waddingham.co.uk/comment-insight/blog/2014/08/18/what-is-a-gmp/

    There's gold in them thar rules.......
  • ffacoffipawb
    ffacoffipawb Posts: 3,593 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Narfie wrote: »
    The descrepancy is that Aegon have now stated that the GMP under the policy is £2,675.52 pa accrued pre 6 April 1988 and there is no accrual post 1988 This is a significant reduction and I do not know why, they had previously confirmed the GMP of £6,275.55 and stated that although there was insufficient value to fund this they would still honour it in accordance with the policy,

    Your_Hero wrote: »
    Seems strange because £752.44 revalued at 8.5% for 26 years is £6,275 assuming your retirement age is 65 this year ("imminent" retirement date as stated).

    Have you tried phoning Aegon to follow up on the letter and find out why?

    Also £752.44 revalued at 5% for 26 years is £2,675.40.

    Perhaps an LRP was paid on leaving contracted out service?
  • Your_Hero
    Your_Hero Posts: 883 Forumite
    Also £752.44 revalued at 5% for 26 years is £2,675.40.

    Perhaps an LRP was paid on leaving contracted out service?
    Quite possible, as Limited Revaluation applied to leavers pre 6 April 1997. For other readers, LRP is the full rate revaluation (via NAE) capped at 5%.

    My understanding so far is that OP said Aegon had confirmed it will use 8.5% on the policy statement upon leaving. I hope OP can confirm what Aegon has said.
    Stephen Covey once said that "when you teach once, you learn twice". That is the primary reason for my participation on the forums as an IFA.

    Although I strive to provide accurate information in my posts, there may be the odd time when I fail. Yes I know it's hard to believe but even Your Hero can make mistakes. Apologies in advance.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.7K Life & Family
  • 256.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.