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United Kingdom

Pensions Ombudsman dismisses NHS Pension Scheme complaint on balance of probabilities: CEP implied refund; standard NICs showed non-membership; member bore evidential burden; no entitlement for service under two years

Published on: 19 September 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Pensions expert
Legal News
Table of contents
  • Original news
  • Summary
  • What were the facts?
  • What was the Pensions Ombudsman’s decision?
  • What is the impact of this determination?
Article summary

Summary

The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint concerning entitlement to benefits. The Scheme had paid a contributions equivalent premium for one spell of employment, and it was implausible that a refund of the member’s contributions was not processed at the same time. Regarding a different employment period, there was no proof that the complainant was an active participant in the Scheme; this was consistent with him paying standard National Insurance contributions rather than the reduced rate ordinarily associated with membership of a contracted-out arrangement. The decision serves as a reminder that the burden rests with the individual to evidence scheme membership.

What were the facts?

Mr Y was a member of the NHS Pension Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme was operated on a contracted-out basis...

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