The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has urged members affected by Legal & General’s buyout of the Boots Pension Scheme (BPS) to raise internal complaints before December 5 to ensure they are included in a potential Ombudsman review. 

The dispute hinges on the question of whether individuals who worked for the company before 2010 are entitled to a full final salary pension from the age of 60, as many understood, or a ‘reduced’ pension between the ages of 60 and 65 as stated in the new agreement struck between the BPS and Legal & General last December. 

Affected individuals assert that a full pension from 60 was part of their stated benefits, while the BPS describes this as a ‘discretionary’ benefit and not guaranteed. 

“The PDA has assisted members in raising stage one and stage two complaints under the scheme’s internal dispute procedure and is now preparing to assist members in making complaints to the Pensions Ombudsman for a legally binding final decision,” the organisation said. 

It said that while many affected pharmacists have already lodged their dispute “there are concerns that those who left their employment may not be aware,” adding that those who fail to submit a stage one complaint before December 5 “are not guaranteed to be covered by the Ombudsman’s decision”.

“It is very important that any member who potentially has a complaint uses the internal disputes procedure first to ensure they are covered by any ruling from the Ombudsman,” said the PDA. 

It also clarified: “This only relates to the Defined Benefit Scheme that was closed to new entrants and future accrual in 2010.

“It does not relate to any other Boots pension scheme and therefore is not relevant to anyone who only started working for Boots after the scheme was closed.”