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. Or, you can visit the OPAS website at www.opas.org.uk

You can also write to the Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS), 11 Belgrave Road, London SW1V 1RB or email enquiries@opas.org.uk

There are two other organisations you can contact if you have a pension complaint.

The Financial Ombudsman Service deals with complaints which are mainly about selling or marketing stakeholder and personal pensions. But you need to complain to the firm that advised you first. If you're not happy with their reply, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service. You can phone them on 0845 080 1800 .You can also email complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Or, you can write to the Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall,London,E14 9SR.You can also visit their website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

The Pensions Ombudsman deals with complaints which mainly concern managing occupational, stakeholder and personal pensions (as opposed to complaints about selling or marketing pensions).You can phone them on 020 7834 9144 or email enquiries@pensions-ombudsman.org.uk

Or, you can write to the Pensions Ombudsman, 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB.You can also visit their website at www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has a central register where you can check whether a particular financial adviser is authorised. You can call the FSA Consumer Helpline on 0845 606 1234.

You can also check the register or find more information on the FSA ’s website at www.fsa.gov.uk

Other publications that you may find useful

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has a factsheet: Stakeholder pensions and decision trees which will take you through a series of questions about your circumstances, whether you are employed, self-employed or not working. It is designed to help you make your own decision about whether a stakeholder pension is a good choice for you. You can get copies of the factsheet by calling 0845 606 1234 at any time.

You can also order it online by visiting the FSA website at www.fsa.gov.uk

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. Or, 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 points 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 taking out a personal pension, 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. The line is open 24 hours a day. 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 these guides at Pension Guide, Freepost NAT 5951, 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

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