Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (PO-17464)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr L’s complaint against the MoD, and Veterans UK is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right (for the part that is upheld) the MoD should compensate him for the non-financial loss they have caused him to suffer.

My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

Mr L says his late wife, Mrs L, was given a clear expectation that the death in service lump sum benefit would be three times her pensionable salary. As they were both serving Officers in April 2005, he clearly recalls the promise that was made. Had she known that it would be based on ‘representative pay’, he is certain that she would have transferred to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 05 (AFPS 05).