Pensions Act 1995

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure

A person on whose behalf SPT has made a decision, to which that person objects, may apply to have that decision reconsidered under the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure. The procedure is described below.

Eligibility

The following are entitled to raise matters under this procedure:
1. active, deferred and pensioner members
2. widows, widowers and surviving dependants of deceased members
3. prospective members
4. those who have ceased to be one of the above within the last six months
5. those claiming to be one of the above
6. representatives of the above (a person wishing to appoint a representative should do so in writing).

First Stage of Procedure

The grievance should be made in writing, signed by or on behalf of the applicant, including a statement of the disagreement in sufficient detail to show the nature of the grievance, together with, if required by SPT,
1. the full name, address and date of birth of the applicant
2. if a widow(er) or dependant, the same particulars for the relevant scheme member, and details of the relationship
3. the member's National Insurance number
4. full name and address of any representative, and whether that is the address to be used for the reply.
The grievance should be addressed to the Administration Manager, telent Pensions Office, The Hollies, Newport Road, Stafford ST16 1BY, and will be acknowledged by a member of staff immediately. The reply will be given in writing by telent Pensions Office or, if the matter relates to a policy issue the reply will be given in writing by the SPT Representative. In both case, the reply will be sent within two months of the date of receipt of the grievance. If the decision to be reviewed is the decision of an SPT directors’ committee, that committee will review the matter in the light of the grievance stated by the applicant, together with any new evidence.
The reply will normally state the decision, with reference to any scheme rules, discretion exercised or legal points relied on. In exceptional circumstances, the reply will explain that no decision has yet been taken, and give reasons for this, together with a timetable for issuing a decision.
The reply will inform the applicant that he or she has the right to ask SPT to reconsider the decision within six months of the date of the reply.

Second Stage of Procedure

Where an applicant wishes SPT to reconsider a decision taken under the first stage of this procedure, details should be given of why he or she is dissatisfied and wishes the matter to be reconsidered. This second application should be addressed to the Secretary of SPT. If required, SPT may ask for the details described under paragraph 2(a), (b), (c) and (d).
The Secretary will pass the application to the Chairman of the Administration Committee (or failing him another member of the Administration Committee and failing that, any other director of SPT), who will reply to the applicant within two months. If the decision being reviewed is that of an SPT directors’ committee, the decision will be reviewed by three voting directors (who are not members of the committee which took the original decision), together with one member of the original committee, who may advise but may not vote. The reply will explain whether, and to what extent, it confirms or replaces the previous decision.
The reply must include a statement in the following terms:
TPAS (the Pensions Advisory Service) is available to assist members and beneficiaries of a pension scheme in connection with difficulties which they have been unable to resolve with the trustee. In addition, the Pensions Ombudsman may investigate and determine any complaint or dispute of fact or law concerning a scheme.

TPAS and the Pensions Ombudsman can both be contacted at 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB.