'Record' pension complaints

David Laverick is the Pensions Ombudsman

Complaints about pensions are at an all time high, increasing by almost one third in the last financial year, according to the annual report of the Pensions Ombudsman.

Ombudsman David Laverick said complaints had risen particularly during the latter part of the financial year, and he was concerned about the ability of his office to cope "with the incoming tide".

Nearly 4000 complaints were received, by far the highest number since the office was established in 1990, the report said.

Mr Laverick said the increase was largely down to high-profile coverage of pensions in the media.

Investigator

The Pensions Ombudsman is a free service which investigates and decides complaints and disputes about the way that pension schemes are run.

Quick guide: What is the Pensions Ombudsman? The present Pensions Ombudsman is David Laverick, a solicitor. There is no charge for the Ombudsman's services. His decision is final and binding on all the parties to the complaint or dispute. His decisions can be enforced in the courts His decision can only be changed by appealing to the appropriate court on a point of law.

Complaints about the sales and marketing of pension schemes are dealt with by the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Mr Laverick said: "The bare facts are that in 2002-2003 I received 3891 enquiries and dealt with 3684.

"The net result is that despite a great deal of hard work from my staff and myself we have been failing to keep up with the incoming tide.

"The position is likely to be even more difficult in the current financial year. That is when the bulk of time needs to be spent on the work taken in last year and so far I have been allocated no additional resources to cope with that work."