'I want my money': Anger at region's pension delay

Susan O Sullivan retired in May this year

Retired local government workers have spoken of the worry caused by months-long delays in paying their pensions.

Thousands are said by campaigners to be waiting for their money, more than a year after a troubled new computer system was introduced.

The West Midlands Pension Fund, which administers the pensions of 800 public-sector employers in the region, including councils and some emergency services, has experienced problems since the change in July 2023.

After promising to resolve "teething problems" last year, the fund has now told the BBC it is facing "increased demand for our services which is impacting the pace of recovery".

Pensioners who have retired this year told Politics Midlands they had been waiting months for their money.

A letter written by one senior councillor and co-signed by three trade unions estimates that thousands of recent retirees are affected.

66-year-old Susan O Sullivan from West Bromwich retired in May.

She had worked for Sandwell Council for 34 years, employed in visitor services roles at Sandwell Valley Country Park.

Susan paid into her pension throughout her career, but has not yet received any payments, or a confirmed calculation of how much she is due.

"It's all very disappointing. Instead of enjoying my retirement, I'm starting to panic. I don't really want to be worrying about it."

She was hoping to take her family on a holiday this summer to celebrate, but without the pension payment, she has not been able fulfil that promise.

"I've contributed all my working life. It's my money and I really want it."

She does receive her state pension, which she can use to pay for essentials, but is concerned for those who are in different financial circumstances.

"It's worrying for people who want to retire, but don't have their state pension or any savings to rely on. So what do they do if they can't rely on their private pension?"

The deputy leader of Sandwell Council has written an open letter to West Midlands Pension Fund, co-signed by trade unions.

West Midlands Pension Fund's members include the seven local councils in the conurbation: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The deputy leader of Sandwell Council has written an open letter, co-signed by Unite, GMB and Unison, calling for urgent improvements.

Labour councillor Paul Moore said a number of the authority's recent retirees were experiencing delays in receiving their pension.

"Anybody would expect that if they've paid their money in, they get their pension back out in a timely manner.

"It's a real concern to us that there are former council employees experiencing hardship."

He added: "Longer than 12 months to resolve the situation seems far too long. Situations like this should be resolved really quickly.

"It's unacceptable that these problems continue. We need to see a clear timescale for resolving them."

West Midlands Pension Fund is based in Wolverhampton

The Conservative MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Mike Wood, told BBC Politics Midlands a number of constituents had contacted his office for help.

“I’ve written to the fund. Frankly, I hope Paul Moore and the unions get better responses to their letter than I’ve had.

"It is entirely unacceptable for these constituents. In many cases they haven’t even been given the quotation of how much their pension is going to be, let alone actually receive any of the money.

“Teething problems is no longer a reasonable excuse, if it ever was. This needs to be sorted and people need to get the money they’re owed.”

Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, Paulette Hamilton, said she had also had a number of cases in her inbox.

“People need to be able to plan for their future. The government is monitoring what is going on. It’s taken far too long and we need to get it sorted out as soon as possible.”

Responding to the latest claims, a spokesperson for the scheme said: “Our servicing standards are improving but we also face increased demand for our services which is impacting the pace of recovery.

"Further action has been taken to address this and we will be sharing further details and the outlook for our service recovery with our employers, union representatives and members later this month.”