New Capita-run Civil Service Pension Scheme - problems (what a surprise!)

Cheraldinio

My husband has over 30 years service and is stressed beyond belief. He has been trying to give his 4 months notice to get a quote but his pension info is all wrong when he logs in and it is impossible to get through by phone. Is there any official information about these problems anywhere? He has resorted to contacting an ex colleague who still works for VOA to see if there is any internal news. Can anyone advise please?

carabanana

I started to claim my cs Pension in August 25 First lot of forms sent of September, then a month later received an email to say at the finalisation stage I had received an incorrect quote.  So had to wait for new forms. They were completed and sent off.  I was told it would be finalised by 3/12.  As I hadn't heard anything since, I then found out everything had been transferred to Capita only be trying to send an email.  I logged into the new system and sent a secure message.  They reply in 7 to 10 working days. but I'm not holding my breadth.  Has anyone complained to the Ombudsman?  I doubt if I went through CS complaints they would even respond.

german_keeper

Cheraldinio said:

My husband has over 30 years service and is stressed beyond belief. He has been trying to give his 4 months notice to get a quote but his pension info is all wrong when he logs in and it is impossible to get through by phone. Is there any official information about these problems anywhere? He has resorted to contacting an ex colleague who still works for VOA to see if there is any internal news. Can anyone advise please?

The obvious starting point is to complete the relevant form and get the ball rolling. It's fairly straight forward, I helped my mate fill one in last week and it took about half an hour. And that included a "read the exam paper before you start" moment when we missed the instruction to complete in block capitals and had to go back and amend the non capitals and then reprint the relevant sheets.

Whilst waiting for the reply any time spent educating himself on the scheme rules would be time well spent, assuming he isn't already fully conversant. Once the penny drops it's all quite logical and most of my former colleagues who take the time get at least a reasnable grasp of it. He will then be in a better position to scrutinise the eventual reply.

Obviously if the reply doesn't come in the publicised timescale that's the next hurdle. But the Cabinet Office Minister, according to the article in Civil Service World today seems to think everything is hunky dory. I suppose if I was a cynical person I might think well she would wouldn't she.    

Yorkie1

The unions are certainly making sure that the dismal performance so far is being highlighted.

Universidad

Valjx2 said:

New web page on Capta will not let me log in. It recognises my email. it confirms my username and security questions and lets me update my password but when I come to log in it says Your username or password is incorrect. Please check and try again. I phoned and was told 97th in the queue then got cut off at 30th in the queue after 50 minutes!!!

After the previous shenanigans I decided to give it a week or two, and tried again today. 

It didn't recognise my username / password. So I went through the self-help to give me my username. This was slow, but completed correctly. I put in the username via copy/paste from their own website, so no chance of typos. 

It told me the username wasn't recognised. Specfically the username, not the previous message I had been recieving about username/password.

Anyway, then I went through the password reset process, and that did work - no more username/password errors, and finally I'm in. There's nothing there, of course, but that's the first hurdle down. 

I can't wait to see my first Capita-managed ABS next year!

Bravepants

The issue with my account is that my Nominated Beneficiary (my fiancee) is only listed as her surname. Relationship "undefined", address: "undefined", clicking on Manage Beneficiaries takes me to "There was a problem connecting to the service." 

A bit worrying since I've just had an MRI scan, which is likely clear, but nonetheless worrying!

ali_bear

One would be tempted to point the finger at breathtaking incompetence on both the CS and Crapita sides but it is still too early for that. Why didn't they do the transition in three stages; first the already-retired, then the years-to-go, and finally those close to retirement. 

Must be something of a bummer if you are close to retirement. Hang on folk it will get sorted out in time. 

If you've done your bit correctly the rest is out of your hands and since it is out of your control, it makes no sense to worry about it. In the words of Princess Leia "you'll get whatever's coming to you"

Catlass65

This seems to be similar to the fiasco in 2014/2015 which left many people without pensions when they were due and possibly financial destitute. Couldn't cope with the change then. I had to contact the cabinet secretary to get my pension paid because they weren't interested and I applied and got compensation for the distress I suffered. Im hoping I get my monthly pension following the change this time but cannot access the portal even though I'm registered.

ali_bear

I don't think anyone has complained yet of any problem with a pension already in payment, have they? 

sidev93

I can see my pension pay slip in the portal which is due to be paid 24 Dec