Incorrect LGPS statement.

Dunnsdale

Since my wifes LGPS transferred from Capita to West Sussex there has been a substantial drop in the forecast statements. We have tried to sort this out but appear to be getting nowhere. Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

Dazed_and_confused

there has been a substantial drop in the forecast statements.

Do you mean a drop in the number of statements being issued or a drop in the expected pension?

Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

There no doubt will be but no idea of fees. However as this appears to be a defined benefit pension where the scheme rules are all that really matters why not give us some details and get all the help you (hopefully) need for free.

JoeCrystal

Dunnsdale wrote: »

Since my wifes LGPS transferred from Capita to West Sussex there has been a substantial drop in the forecast statements. We have tried to sort this out but appear to be getting nowhere. Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

Interesting. I consider that the LGPS is pretty straightforward to forecast overall. Was there any change in the hours or pays? Why do you think it is wrong?

daveyjp

As LGPS pension is defined benefit and based on salary and length of service the forecast cannot drop substantially unless there is a substantial change in either of these.

Any queries should be through the current pension administrator.

Dunnsdale

Hi there Dazed, many thanks for your prompt response. I was referring to the value of the pension. Things like the lump sum payment being lower than the previous 5 years, when her salary has only increased. Also the life time allowance percentage has dropped substantially from the previous statements.

Dunnsdale

Hi Davey. I'm afraid we are losing confidence in the current administrator. The first mistake they made was not to include 6yrs of additional years purchased in the first statement. The second(corrected) statement still showed benefits to be lower than the previous 5ys Capita statements.

Dunnsdale

Hi Joe. No change in hours and pay has only increased.

hyubh

Dunnsdale wrote: »

Since my wifes LGPS transferred from Capita to West Sussex

So you mean, since Capita lost the admin contract for West Sussex LGPS? Or do you mean, she was a Capita employee who TUPE'd to West Susssex CC when the latter took some services back in house...?

We have tried to sort this out but appear to be getting nowhere

What are the details...?

Dunnsdale wrote: »

The first mistake they made was not to include 6yrs of additional years purchased in the first statement.

Doesn't justify, but I'd imagine that was a one-off issue in migrating the data from Capita systems.

The second(corrected) statement still showed benefits to be lower than the previous 5ys Capita statements.

Have you worked out what it should be, roughly? Or, if she works (or has worked) part time, is this properly shown in the latest statement? So, pre-April 14 service pro-rated down correctly, pensionable pay for that same service pro-rated up if she is currently part time...? This goes for both the latest Capita statement and the latest HCC one (i.e. there may have been errors in the Capita statements as well).

Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

As others have said, no need to waste your money - TPAS should be the next stop (after this thread ):

https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/pension-problems

Silvertabby

There are any number of reasons why an annual benefit statement may be wrong, as they are only as accurate as the year end information supplied by the employer. Any substantial change will send up a 'red flag' to the administering LGPS, meaning that the whole record will be checked, but it is impossible to 100% check every record for annual benefit statement purposes.

Is it possible that the statements provided by Capita have always been wrong, and it was the transfer that caused the record to be checked and corrected?

Would need to see your wife's age/service details/hours/salary figures quoted on both statements to be able to try to see what may have happened. Happy for you to PM me if you don't want to publish these on an open forum (I'm a retired LGPS administrator).

SonOf

Dunnsdale wrote: »

Since my wifes LGPS transferred from Capita to West Sussex there has been a substantial drop in the forecast statements. We have tried to sort this out but appear to be getting nowhere. Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

Just throwing this out there but I wonder if its a misread of the benefit statements.
e.g. previously reading the projected benefits if employed to scheme retirement age vs current benefits accrued.

Are there any professionals out there that would look into this on our behalf for a fee and what sort of charges would they make for this service?

It shouldnt need it. The scheme administrator should be able to answer it. Although it may be better if put in writing rather than over the phone.

Generally speaking, a letter enclosing a copy of the old statement showing the higher amount and a copy of the latest statement showing the reduced amount and the question asking them why the figure has dropped so much.

All a professional will do is look at the benefit statements and compare the assumptions used. e.g. is one benefit statement showing it in future money terms and the other showing it in todays money terms. Or, is the scheme retirement age different. or terms of service, pensionable salary etc. If they cant see any difference in the assumptions then they would write to the scheme administrator asking them to provide the answer.

Dunnsdale

Thanks for all your help and advice . I was referring to Capita losing the contract to West Sussex hyubh.
It appears that the added years contract was not recorded correctly when the migration from Capita to West Sussex occurred.There was also a one off additional salary payment of around 15k that skewed the CARE benefits for that particular year and made the subsequent year look disproportionately smaller.