Directory

Where we refer to phone numbers which begin with 0845, they will be charged at the local rate based on current charges from BT landlines. Charges for calls from mobile phones and other networks may be different.

The Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS) can give you information about any aspect of occupational, stakeholder and personal pensions. You can contact OPAS if you are having problems with your pension that your scheme managers or trustees cannot sort out. You can contact them on 0845 601 2923 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can visit the OPAS website at www.opas.org.uk or email them at enquiries@opas.org.uk

You can also write to the Pensions Advisory Service, 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB.

If OPAS can’t help you, you can take your complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman. You can contact them on 020 7834 9144 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can also write to the Pensions Ombudsman, 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB.

Or, you can visit the Pensions Ombudsman’s website at www.pensionsombudsman.org.uk or email them at enquiries@pensionsombudsman.org.uk

The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) is responsible for regulating occupational pension schemes. You can contact them on 01273 627600 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can visit Opra’s website at www.opra.gov.uk

You can also write to the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, Invicta House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4DW, or email them at helpdesk@opra.gov.uk

If an insolvent (bankrupt) employer has removed your pension scheme’s assets dishonestly, the Pensions Compensation Board can compensate you. You can contact them on 020 7828 9794 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can also write to the Pensions Compensation Board, 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB.

If you had a pension in a previous job but you don’t have the details, the Pension Schemes Registry should be able to help. You can contact them on 0191 225 6316 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can also fill in a form online if you are trying to find out more about a pension you had in a previous job, by visiting Opra’s website at www.opra.gov.uk

You can write to the Pension Schemes Registry, PO Box 1NN, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1NN.

If you have a question about contracting out of the State Second Pension, the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office may be able to help, although they will not be able to give you financial advice. You can contact them on 0845 915 0150 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can visit their website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

You can also write to the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office, Contracted-Out Employments Group, Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1ZZ.

You can write to the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office (Northern Ireland), 24–42 Corporation Street, Belfast BT1 3DP. Or, you can visit their website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Other publications you may find useful

Personal Pension Schemes (including Stakeholder Pension Schemes) – A guide for members of tax-approved schemes (IR3)

You can get this leaflet by calling the Inland Revenue Audit and Pension Schemes stationery orderline (answerphone) on 0115 974 1670 at any time. You can visit the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pensionschemes/guidance.htm

You can also write to the Inland Revenue, Audit and Pension Schemes, Yorke House, PO Box 62, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1BG.

I want to apply for a Financial Order (D190)
If you live in England or Wales, you can get this guide from your County Court (details are in your local phone book) or from the Court Service website at www.courtservice.gov.uk

Other guides in this series

A guide to your pension options (PM1)
This guide gives a general summary of the pensions system and suggests things you should think about.

State pensions – Your guide (PM2)
This guide explains whether you are likely to get a State Pension and how we work state pensions out. It includes more details about the State Second Pension, including examples of how it can help people in different circumstances.

Occupational pensions – Your guide (PM3)
You will find this guide helpful if you are working for an employer who runs a pension scheme and you are a member of the scheme or are thinking of joining.

Personal pensions – Your guide (PM4)
If you are thinking about a personal pension plan, this guide tells you the sort of questions you should be asking and how you can decide if a personal pension is best for you.

Pensions for the self-employed – Your guide (PM5)
If you are self-employed, you have different options but you still have important decisions to make. This guide tells you how you can decide what will be best for you.

Pensions for women – Your guide (PM6)
As a woman, the pattern of your working life may be different from a man’s. For example, you may be more likely to have a career break to raise a family. This guide gives you an idea of the options available, and what you should think about when you plan your pension.

Contracted-out pensions – Your guide (PM7)
This guide gives you information about contracting out of (leaving) the State Second Pension if you are an employee.

Stakeholder pensions – Your guide (PM8)
This guide tells you what you need to think about before taking out a stakeholder pension. It will help you decide whether this kind of pension is best for you.

State pensions for carers and parents – Your guide (PM9)
If you have given up work, or aren’t earning very much because you are caring for someone, this guide may help you. It explains what to do to make sure you get as much State Pension as you can in the future.

To order copies of any of the guides in this series, you can call us on 0845 7 31 32 33. If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 604 0210. Or, you can write to us for any of the guides at Pension Guide, Freepost NAT5951, Ashby de la Zouch LE55 7QP (you don’t need a stamp).

You can also see these guides on our website at www.pensionguide.gov.uk

All guides are available in Welsh, on audiotape and in Braille.

For more copies of this leaflet, or for a Welsh, audiotape or Braille version, you can phone 0845 7 31 32 33 You can also read this leaflet on the internet at www.pensionguide.gov.uk

ISBN: 1-84388-005-9

This leaflet is for guidance only. It is not a complete statement of the law
© Crown copyright
Produced by The Pension Service
Printed in the UK
April 2004
PM3

General enquiries 0845 60 60 265
(textphone users call 0845 60 60 285)
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk