LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION APPEAL

 

SUPERANNUATION ACT 1972

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME REGULATIONS 1995 (the 1995 regulations)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME REGULATIONS 1997 (the 1997 regulations)

 

1.                  I refer to your letter received in the Department on 29 July 1999 in which you appeal (under regulation 102 of the 1997 regulations) against the decision of XXX Appeals Panel (the Appointed Person), in relation to your local government pension scheme (LGPS) dispute with XXX (the council).

 

2.                  The Appointed Person found that you did not satisfy the requirements of the LGPS regulations for early release of your deferred pension benefits.

 

3.                  The question for decision: The question for decision by the Secretary of State is whether, at the time you applied for early release of your deferred benefits in November 1998, you were permanently incapable of carrying out efficiently your former duties by reason of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body.

 

4.                  The Secretary of State has considered all the representations and evidence.

 

5.                  Secretary of State’s decision: The Secretary of State has taken into account the appropriate regulations and all the medical evidence.  Based on the balance of probabilities, he finds that for the purposes of the 1995 regulations, it has not been shown conclusively that at the time you applied for the early release of your deferred LGPS benefits in November 1998, you had become permanently incapable of carrying out efficiently your former duties by reason of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body.  His decision confirms that made by the Appointed Person.  The Secretary of State’s reasons and the regulations which he considers apply in this case are set out in the annex to this letter, which forms an integral part of the decision.  He is acting judicially and has no power to modify the way the regulations apply to the facts of the case.  Having made his decision he has no power to alter it and his officials cannot discuss the case further.  The decision is binding and can only be overturned by a judgement of the High Court or the Pensions Ombudsman.

 

6.                  The Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS) is available to assist members and beneficiaries in connection with difficulties which they have failed to resolve.  Their address is 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB (telephone number 0171 233 8080).

 

7.                  The Pensions Ombudsman may investigate and determine any complaint or dispute of fact or law in relation to the local government pension scheme.  His address is 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB (telephone number 0171 834 9144).

            EVIDENCE RECEIVED

 

1.                  The following evidence has been received and taken into account:

 

a)                  from you: letters dated 30 July (with enclosures), 19 August (with enclosures) and 29 August 1999;

 

b)                  from the Appointed Person: letters dated 16 August (with enclosures) and 13 September 1999; and

 

c)                  from Ms XXX: letter dated 14 September 1999.

 

REGULATIONS CONSIDERED AND REASONS FOR DECISION

 

2.                  From the evidence submitted the following points have been noted:

 

a)                  your date of birth is 11 May 1949;

 

b)                  you were employed by the council as a Care Assistant;

 

c)                  you were a member of the LGPS;

 

d)                  your post was made redundant on 23 May 1996;

 

e)                  in November 1998 you applied to the council for early payment of your deferred benefits on ill-health grounds; and

 

f)                    your application was refused following the advice from the council’s Occupational Health Advisor.

 

3.                  You maintain that you are entitled to the early release of your deferred LGPS benefits as your GP has recommended that you refrain from work for one year due to your back pain and the DSS have certified that your back problems are getting worse.

 

4.                  The Appointed Person stated that "Based on the doctors opinions and all the other evidence presented, we believe that the original decision not to release your benefits early was correct and have therefore decided that the original decision not to pay your benefits should be upheld.".

 

5.                  The Secretary of State in reaching his decision has had regard to the regulations, which, in his view, apply.  At the time you applied for early payment of your preserved pension benefits, the 1995 regulations were in force.  To qualify for early payment under these regulations, it must be shown that, at the time you applied for the early release of your deferred LGPS benefits you were permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of a Care Assistant because of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body.

 

6.                  The Secretary of State notes that the council refused to grant you early payment of your deferred pension benefits on ill-health grounds based on the advice of their Occupational Health Physician, Dr J XXX.  In his memorandum dated 15 March 1999, Dr XXX commented that “Although she complains of symptoms from time to time, which are to be investigated through some hospital investigations, there is no evidence, at present, that she is permanently unfit as a Care Assistant.”.  Dr XXX’s advice took account of a report from your family doctor, Dr XXX, dated 28 February 1999.

 

7.                  The Secretary of State notes that the Appointed Person based his decision on the medical evidence submitted to him and the report of his own medical advisor, Dr XXX, Consultant in Occupational Medicine.  In his report dated 9 July 1999, Dr XXX commented that “She had a back x-ray in January of 1999 where no abnormality was seen.  A bone stock review was done and there was no evidence of osteoporosis … There are no plans for Mrs XXX to be seen by an Orthopaedic Surgeon, as she has no condition warranting such an appointment.  Her GP considers her condition to be static and thinks it will remain so for the foreseeable future … Mrs XXX is claiming to be disabled.  There is no medical evidence to support this claim …”.

 

8.                  The Secretary of State has considered all the medical evidence and opinion submitted, comprising of: DSS medical report completed by Dr XXX, dated 23 June 1998; letter dated 28 February 1999 and medical certificate dated 24 March 1999 from your GP, Dr XXX; memorandum from the council’s occupational health physician, Dr J XXX, dated 15 March 1999; and medical report from the Appointed Person’s medical advisor, Dr XXX, dated 9 July 1999.  The Secretary of State notes that your GP has certified that you should refrain from work for a period of one year from 24 March 1999, due to back pain.  He also notes the comments made by Dr XXX that you are “severely disabled”.  However, the Secretary of State takes the view that this evidence is not conclusive as neither your GP nor Dr XXX have addressed the specific test required under the LGPS regulations which the council, the Appointed Person and the Secretary of State have had to apply.

 

9.                  The Secretary of State takes the view that the appropriate test of permanent incapacity is that your condition would not be likely to improve sufficiently for you to perform the duties of your former employment before your normal retirement age when LGPS benefits must, in any case be paid.  Bearing in mind your age and the medical evidence, the Secretary of State concludes that on the balance of probabilities you are not suffering from such a condition of ill-health or infirmity of mind or body that you will be permanently incapable of performing your former duties efficiently in the sense outlined above as required by the regulations.