UK pension arrangements are complex and very often difficult to understand, and occasionally things do go wrong. The majority of issues are created by poor or lack of communication and can be rectified quickly. But when things go wrong and are far more difficult, clients need to feel confident that they can have someone working for them who really understands and simplifies the issues, who can diffuse the tension and guide them through the process to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our lawyers have many years experience in advising on the operation and regulation of UK Pension arrangements and can help individuals with their pension complaints and disputes.
Our services
Benefit checks
Assessing if the benefits paid accurately reflect scheme entitlement.
Complaint assessment
Assessing the prospects of a complaint.
Complaint assistance
Dealing with complaint respondents’, for example employers, trustees and pension providers
Consultation
Assessing the effect of or breach of employer pensions consultation requirements
Disputes
Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure and Pensions Ombudsman complaints
Example Experience:
Benefit checks
Acting for a member of a defined benefits scheme who upon our assessment of the scheme documents and our advice was entitled to a higher pension than he was being paid
Complaint assessment and assistance
Acting for a number of members of a public services scheme with an array of issues ranging from delays in transfers; restriction of ill-health benefits ; treatment of work promotion on pension contributions and protocol to award ill-health benefits
Advice regarding attempts to recover overpayment of pension benefits
Assessment of advice provided by an independent financial adviser after changes in personnel
Disputes
Advising on a complaint under the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure regarding investment decisions based upon poor communications and after non resolution, commenting on the response of the Pensions Ombudsman
Maria C. Riccio
Senior Consultant Solicitor – Pensions Law
Maria Riccio is a pensions lawyer with over 30 years experience and is a full member of the Association of Pension Lawyers . She is ranked Band 1 in Chambers Directory and as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500.