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• Decision making process of scheme employers or an administering authority
• Obligation to inform the member
• Specimen IDRP first instance decision
• Informal settlement of disputes
• General right of appeal
• Stage 1 - appeal to person that made the original decision
• Specimen acknowledgement letter
• Considering stage 1 appeals
• Notice of stage 1 decision
• Specimen stage 1 decision letter
• Consideration of medical appeals
• Employer discretions
• Stage 2 - Referral to the administering authority where not satisfied with the original determination
• Specimen stage 2 decision letter
• Beyond IDRP - the external appeal
• The Pension Ombudsman
• Further points on appeals
• Contact details
• Members guide
• Printable version

Specimen IDRP first instance decision

The following wording could be used in any decision letter issued to a scheme member, highlighting their right of appeal under the LGPS formal IDRP:

Right of appeal

If you are not satisfied with this decision you should contact me for clarification and further explanation of the matter in question. Many misunderstandings or incorrect information can be explained or put right quickly and easily by doing this. If, following this, you are still not satisfied with the decision you have the right of appeal, within six months of this letter, to [enter name, job title and contact details of adjudicator].

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) is available to assist members and beneficiaries in connection with difficulties they have failed to resolve. Their address is Money and Pension Services, 120 Holborn, London, EC12 2TD (phone 0800 011 3797).

The Pensions Ombudsman may investigate and determine any allegation of maladministration or any dispute of fact or law in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme made or referred in accordance with the Pensions Scheme Act 1993. Their address is 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf E14 4PU (telephone 0800 917 4487) (for the early resolution service select option 1).

The Pensions Ombudsman will, however, only usually investigate cases which have been through stages 1 and 2 of the internal dispute resolution procedure.