Firefighters' Pension Scheme (PO-15170)
Complainant: Mr S
Ref: PO-15170
Outcome: Upheld
Appeal outcome: None
Respondent: Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT)
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service (SWFRS)
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service (SWFRS)
Type: Pension complaint or dispute
Date:
Appeal: No
Ombudsman’s Determination
Outcome
The complaint is upheld against SWFRS because it misinformed Mr S of his entitlement to tax free cash.
Complaint summary
Mr S has complained that he was not informed by either RCT or SWFRS that if he retired from employment as a Wholetime Duty Firefighter (WDF), taking advantage of a protected pension age (PPA), undertaking other linked employment within 30 days of retirement would invalidate the PPA.
As a result, his ongoing employment as a Retained Duty Firefighter (RDF) forfeited his entitlement to a PPA, and the pension payments received up until age 55, were deemed unauthorised payments, and subject to unauthorised payment tax charges.