Civil Service Pension Transfer

CathA

My friend is a current member of the 'classic' civil service pension scheme.
She asked myCSP today for a CETV today and was told by them to contact DBS (Defense Business Service) for a form to obtain one. However, DBS told her that civil servants can't transfer their pensions out, although I know that's not necessarily true, as I could have transferred mine out not that long ago. (I didn't in the end, but that's a different story).
Anyway, does anyone know if what DBS is saying is true? I know the government is planning that unfunded pension fund transfers are banned from April, but it's not banned yet? MyCSP never said it was banned, and DBS never gave a reason apart from it can't be done. Any thoughts? Thanks.

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/human-resources-for-civilians-working-for-the-ministry-of-defence

This company?

Was the friend a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2020019

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5053691

I'm sure that you remember the above!

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/4210.aspx This is from another "unfunded" public service scheme.

It would appear that in this case, the ban will be operative from 6 /4/15 and one would expect the same to apply to the other "unfunded" schemes - however, perhaps the rules are being applied early? Or perhaps particular rules apply in your friend's case?

What reason was she given by Defence Services?

CathA

xylophone wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/human-resources-for-civilians-working-for-the-ministry-of-defence

This company?

Was the friend a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme?

She is still working for the civil service and is a member of the classic scheme. ( MOD if that makes any difference?)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2020019

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5053691

I'm sure that you remember the above!

Certainly do!! And like a good and sensible girl I'm leaving my pension there.



http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions/4210.aspx This is from another "unfunded" public service scheme.

It would appear that in this case, the ban will be operative from 6 /4/15 and one would expect the same to apply to the other "unfunded" schemes - however, perhaps the rules are being applied early? Or perhaps particular rules apply in your friend's case?

No reason why it should be any different, although perhaps the rules are being applied earlier. Although MyCSP didn't say that you couldn't do it, just directed her to DBS for the form/information.

What reason was she given by Defence Services?

They didn't give a reason, just said it can't be done.

I'm seeing her tomorrow so I'll see if she's got any more info. Her circumstances are somewhat different to mine and she's very keen to get hold of it for various reasons.

Thanks for the information.

uknick

From my experience of dealing with DBS over the years (and their esteemed predecessors) I would never, ever take the first answer they give.

I always found I needed at least two calls before I could speak to someone who actually knew what the correct answer was to my question.

CathA

It would appear that in this case, the ban will be operative from 6 /4/15 and one would expect the same to apply to the other "unfunded" schemes - however, perhaps the rules are being applied early? Or perhaps particular rules apply in your friend's case?

What reason was she given by Defence Services?


[/QUOTE]

I spoke to her today, she has had a letter from MyCSP saying it'll take a while to work out the figure and they have to get details of her previous service with another branch of the civil service. Then they will send her a CETV. At no time did they say it wasn't possible.

I've told her to ring MyCSP again and tell them what DBS said and ask a couple of questions, main one being why DBS is saying one thing, and MyCSP another!! As with anything run by the government, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing!!

I'll report back later.

Dunnit

uknick wrote: »

...
I always found I needed at least two calls before I could speak to someone who actually knew what the correct answer was to my question.

I will call you out on that one...



... you managed to get some sense after 2 calls.:T :A

marlot

I don't rate your chances of getting anything meaningful by April.

It took me well over a year to make a pension transfer in via mycsp. And that was only after a formal complaint.

CathA

I have told her that timescales are tight, although I think that if the forms are in by 5/4/15 it will be done. She's going to ring with a list of questions I've given her so hopefully should have some answers soon. Personally I don't think it will happen in time, but that's just my view. Judging by the complete c**k up that MyCSP has made in many cases I think she's on a hiding to nothing, but her husband is very keen on it being done. He's just managed to do a similar transfer, albeit with a different pension scheme, and that's taken ages. Oh well, watch this space!

uknick

Dunnit wrote: »

I will call you out on that one...



... you managed to get some sense after 2 calls.:T :A

Fair call out

This was only the case when I knew the answer after spending hours trawling through the personnel handbook (I'm sure the Encyclopaedia Britannia was a much shorter read) and needed them to confirm it in writing.

If I didn't know the answer, it did take a lot, lot longer to get them to point me to the correct section.

But, in their defence (pardon the pun), what else would one expect when you remove all the specialist HR staff and put the work in the hands of a call centre staffed by inexperienced junior grades who move on every couple of years.

CathA

Update-my friend got a CETV from MyCSP yesterday-only 6 days!!! However, they've got a lot of information wrong so she now has another lot of questions to ask, as well as the original lot I've given her. In the letter it does not say anything about being unable to transfer , so I've added that to her list of questions. Watch this space!

CathA

Update-My friend had some form of communication from DBS this week, not sure in what form. However, she has received a form to opt out of the pension (presumably she means a transfer form, I've not seen it) and she has signed it and sent it back.

I did ask her if she managed to get a different person from DBS to deal with it, as she's been told previously transfers couldn't be done. She agreed that sometimes you just have to find the right person who knows what they're talking about! The person from DBS said he'll let her know when it's dealt with, has said he should get the form within a week. It all seems to be going along nicely, but many a slip and all that?