Scotland's biggest teaching union, the EIS, may be mis-selling pensions to its own members.

The Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman has found in favour of a teacher from Livingston who believed she had been sold the wrong type of pension.

She was sold a top-up pension scheme from the union's own company, EIS Financial Services, which can only offer the products of one company.

The ombudsman is now urging teachers to ensure they have been sold the most suitable scheme and queries the role of so-called specialist financial advisers.

Specific advice

The EIS formed its own financial services arm 10 years ago.

It was set up to provide advice specifically for the teaching profession.

But EIS Financial Services is what is called a tied agent - it can only sell the pension products of one company, Scottish Amicable.

It is unable to offer independent advice to teachers.

Wrong scheme

The primary school teacher from Livingston, who does not want to be named, thought she was getting independent help when she saw an EIS adviser five years ago.

She took her case to the PIA Ombudsman because she was concerned she had been sold the wrong type of top-up pension scheme, known as a free-standing AVC.

The ombudsman found in her favour and is urging other teachers to check if they have been put in the most appropriate scheme.

He also said he was concerned that people may be easily confused by the role of specialist advisers.