The Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) was established by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), to outline a formal process for disagreements for members of the scheme but it can also be used by employers with a complaint about a decision made by the Pension Fund.
Acting as the administering authority, Avon Pension Fund have a formal employer complaints procedure, which is the Employer IDRP. This procedure sets clear guidelines for the employer and the Fund.
Handling disagreements informally
If you as a the scheme employer are dissatisfied with a decision, we recommend addressing the issue informally first. A meeting or conversation with the Fund can clarify the reasons behind the decision.
When to use the formal Employer IDRP
If informal attempts to resolve the issue fail, scheme employers have the right to initiate the formal Employer IDRP. This process involves a detailed investigation into the decisions made and the methods used.
How the Employer IDRP works
The Employer IDRP is designed to resolve disputes regarding LGPS pension decisions made by Avon Pension Fund. To make a formal complaint, scheme employers should submit it in writing, within six months of being informed about the decision they wish to contest. If the complaint is about a missing decision, it should be made within six months of when that decision should have been made.
The Employer IDRP consists of two stages:
Stage 1: The appointed Avon Pension Fund Adjudicator reviews the case.
The adjudicator can extend the six-month time limit if necessary. If the adjudicator’s decision differs from the original decision, the employer or administering authority must follow the adjudicator’s ruling.
Stage 2: Avon Pension Fund conducts a further review.
If as the scheme employer you are not satisfied with the adjudicator's decision, you can ask Avon Pension Fund to review the complaint again if:
- You are unhappy with the first-stage decision.
- You haven’t received a decision or interim letter within four months of lodging the complaint.
This review will be conducted by a senior officer who was not involved in the first stage. Again, the complaint must be submitted in writing, and after review the administering authority will respond in writing with their decision.
If you as the scheme employer are still dissatisfied after this stage, the case can be referred to the Pensions Ombudsman within three years of the original decision (or lack of decision).
Next steps
If you have raised an informal complaint and are not satisfied with the decision you have the right to raise a Stage 1 dispute.
Please use the Employer IDRP guide and forms (PDF, 380.89KB) to progress with a Stage 1 dispute.
The Pensions Ombudsman
The Pensions Ombudsman can investigate disputes regarding pension decisions. However, employers must first go through both stages of the Employer IDRP before the Ombudsman will take action.
Find out more at the Pension Ombudsman Service website