Pension Scheme Backlog Hits 120,000, Minister Targets June Recovery
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is currently facing a significant backlog, with over 120,000 cases pending resolution. The issue has gained attention from government officials, who are actively working to address the delays.
Pension Scheme Backlog Reaches 120,000 Cases
The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Anna Turley, announced that plans are underway to restore services to normal levels by June. This comes amidst an ongoing crisis that has left many retired civil servants without their due pension payments.
Current Status of Pension Payments
Recent statements from the Cabinet Office revealed that the backlog includes approximately 90,000 cases inherited from the previous administrator. Additionally, Capita, the current administrator, has admitted to struggles in processing these cases efficiently.
- Estimated backlog: 120,000 cases
- Pensions affected: Thousands of recently-retired civil servants
- Loan assistance: Up to £10,000 available for those in financial hardship
Challenges Faced by Capita
Capita took over the pension scheme contract in December 2023, inheriting a backlog of 86,000 cases. The transition has not gone smoothly, with reports indicating failures to meet key milestone deadlines. Some challenges faced by Capita include:
- High call volumes: Capita has received over 3,600 daily calls, compared to 1,300 under MyCSP.
- Website issues: Initial technical problems were resolved quickly, but call center wait times remain lengthy.
- Productivity assumptions: Capita misjudged productivity for manual processing, impacting efficiency.
Government’s Response and Future Actions
The Cabinet Office has committed to closely monitor the situation, aiming to improve service levels for both death in service and ill health retirement cases by the end of February. Minister Anna Turley emphasized the importance of progress in resolving the backlog to support affected pensioners.
Editorial Comments from Union Leaders
Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, criticized the portrayal of union actions as contributing to the pension crisis. She argued that the issues stem from poor contract management and outsourcing failures that predate the strike actions.
As the government works to manage the Civil Service Pension Scheme backlog, stakeholders await further updates on the restoration of services and the welfare of the pensioners affected by the delays.
