Pension overpayment

OldBeanz

My pension people claim that I have been overpaid and my back of a cigarette packet calculations at that time suggested to me that I was closer to the correct pension figure than them. The issue was the imalgamaton of two pensions into one. This has been ongoing in one form or another since October 2015.The matter only came to light when HMRC claimed I had underpaid some tax despite HMRC's figures showing the same tax required as my P60 showed I had paid. The pension provider then juggled some figures and an additional £300+ was taken off my pension in income tax in January with one day's notice.
To date they have not apologised or explained where the errors were made but just that here were overpayments and underpayments and the tax issue is blandly covered by them hiding behind my tax code while the amount is not explained in the figures they have produced.
Rant over.
They have stated that they allow catch ups over two years while I have suggested 6 years. Are there any guidelines about this? I am claiming destitution.

dunstonh

They have stated that they allow catch ups over two years while I have suggested 6 years. Are there any guidelines about this? I am claiming destitution.

The general standard used by the ombudsman in these things is to allow a similar period to the length of the error to repay the money assuming there is no hardship case to be made. So, if the error started in October 2015, then that is a little over a year. So, them offering 2 years is very reasonable. You asking for 6 years was worth a try as an opening gambit but they would need to be very very generous to go that far.

Financial hardship is taken into account. If you are claiming destitution then they may ask to see evidence of this (copy bank statements) and a budget analysis. If they decide you are in hardship, they will extend the term. It has also not been unknown for the pension providers to write off some of the money owed in real hardship cases. If you are claiming destitution but are not, then you will likely find them toughen up.

OldBeanz

Thanks dunstonh (again). I might perhaps just cough up. My feelings of destitution are perhaps not in line with how others may look on this. I think I have the right to know what the mistakes were and to have some confidence that they are not going to come back for another bite.

xylophone

I think I have the right to know what the mistakes were and to have some confidence that they are not going to come back for another bite.

That's reasonable - so write to the administrators and insist on a reconciliation in writing - if they refuse/do not reply to your satisfaction, you have the usual remedy.

OldBeanz

Yes already done. Part of the issue is that they have a number of different people handling different aspects and no-one addressing all the issues into a coherent reply. They also have their performance indicators so need to do nothing but give me an acknowledgement. They also refuse to share my information over the internet thus delaying further any responses.

xylophone

If you think that there is an unreasonable delay or that they are being deliberately obstructive there is the usual remedy.....

OldBeanz

I haven't given their name but they have a reputation on here and are also well known for being one of the slowest in paying out DB pensions, asking for 4 months notice.