Home Retail Group Pension Scheme (PO-2604)

Subject

Mr Moulton complains that Argos Limited (Argos) did not grant him early retirement from active status in respect of his membership of the Scheme.  Further, he is unhappy with Argos and Home Retail Group Pension Scheme Nominees Limited (the Trustee) about the way in which his application was administered.

Summary of the Ombudsman’s determination and reasons

The complaint should not be upheld against the Trustee because the administration was delegated to and carried out by Argos and, in the absence of consent from Argos, the pension Mr Moulton sought could not be paid.

The complaint should be upheld against Argos because:

• the matter of Mr Moulton’s application was handled badly both in its capacity as an employer and as Scheme administrator;
• Argos did not act consistently with its obligations in not considering Mr Moulton’s application, given the way the matter had been handled.