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Making a complaint
There may be times when you are unhappy with the service you get, or you disagree with a decision that has been made about your membership or benefits.
Some decisions about your pension are the responsibility of your employer, for example, the contribution rate you pay and your entitlement to benefits. We process the information given by your employer, calculate and pay your benefits under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations.
Contact us if you have a query or complaint.
If you are not satisfied, you have the right to formally complain under the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP). You must make a complaint or appeal any decision within 6 months of the act or omissions about which you are complaining or notification of the decision.
Making a formal complaint under the IDRP
- Complete the form in the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) guide (PDF, 600.2 KB) You must not type your name. You may use an electronic signature. Alternatively, you can download the form, sign, scan, save to your device and upload it to us.
- Upload the form Alternatively, you can post the form to the Pension Section, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ. We have limited access to the office so this may cause a delay.
The process
Stage 1
Your complaint is considered by an adjudicator nominated by your employer and Kent Pension Fund.
Stage 2
Your complaint is considered by the Kent Pension Fund Pension Manager.
If you remain dissatisfied after stage 2 the dispute can be referred to the Pensions Ombudsman, after having consulted The Pensions Advisory Service. The Pensions Ombudsman will provide a 'final and binding' determination.
No charge is made at any stage for investigating a complaint but expenses you may have to meet are your own, for example stationery and postage.
Read the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) guide (PDF, 600.2 KB). This document may not be suitable for users for assistive technology. Request an accessible format
Organisations that can help
Money and Pension Service (MaPS)
MaPS provide independent and impartial information about pensions, free of charge, to members of the public. MaPS is available to assist members and beneficiaries of the scheme with any pension query they have or any general requests for information or guidance concerning their pension benefits. Visit the Money Helper website
The Pensions Ombudsman
An independent and impartial organisation set up by law to help if you have a complaint about a pension scheme or pension plan. The Ombudsman can make decisions that are ‘final and binding’ on you and the organisation you are complaining about. Before they deal with your complaint you must first have tried to resolve it through IDRP and have consulted the Pensions Advisory Service. Any complaint must be made within 3 years of when the event happened however, there is a discretion for those time limits to be extended. This is a free service. Visit the Pension Ombudsman website
The Pensions Regulator
The regulator of UK work-based pension schemes, make sure pension schemes are adequately funded and run in the best interests of retirement savers. They ensure employers meet their obligations by enrolling staff into a pension scheme and making contributions. Read more about The Pensions Regulator