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No evidence of valid transfer: Deputy Pensions Ombudsman holds original scheme liable for deferred pension; £1,000 distress award (Mrs R, CAS-13126-Z0N2)

Published on: 02 April 2026

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

Original news Mrs R (CAS-13126-Z0N2)—3 December 2025

Summary

The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman has found in favour of a complaint concerning a disagreement about whether an alleged transferring or receiving scheme remained liable to deliver a member’s accrued benefits. The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman concluded that the absence of proof—no transfer application or discharge—substantiating any transfer indicated that no transfer actually occurred, and that responsibility therefore stayed with the original scheme. This decision demonstrates the stance the Pensions Ombudsman will adopt when resolving factual disputes.

What were the facts?

Mrs R was a deferred member of the HSBC UK Bank Pension Scheme (the Scheme). She exited the Scheme in 1990 and was sent transfer paperwork stating a transfer value of £5,287. The Scheme’s ledger subsequently noted that her benefits, including guaranteed minimum pension (GMP), were transferred in 1992 to a Liberty Life Personal Retirement Plan (the Plan)...

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