PR 097: RETIRED PRISON OFFICERS HIT BY FAILING PENSION SCHEME ADMINISTRATION

Retiring Prison Officers are being left in a state of financial and emotional distress because of the failure of private pension administrators, Capita, to make pension payments on time. 

The outsourcing company took over the running of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in late 2025 and the system has been dogged with problems since. 

It is understood the company inherited a backlog of over 90,000 cases from the previous pensions administrators MyCSP/Equiniti.

The Prison Officers' Association has heard from members who have had to wait for months on their lump sum and initial pension payments, many of these former officers have no other income and are being forced to take out emergency loans or borrow from family and friends. 

The POA has written to the Cabinet Office demanding urgent action including:

• A clear and firm timetable for clearing the existing backlog and resuming work on the McCloud Remedy cases.
• Assurance that Capita will prioritise work to release all delayed pension and lump sum payments.
• The introduction of a proactive and fair compensation scheme for members affected by prolonged delays.
• Immediate clarification on current and planned resourcing levels.

 Steve Gillan, POA General Secretary said:

"This situation is completely unacceptable. We have Prison Officers who have given a lifetime of service and have paid into their pension scheme in good faith -they are now stressed out of their minds and facing real financial hardship all because of the failings of this private company which is more interested in cutting costs and profiteering than providing a quality pensions service. It is outrageous, we need immediate action to resolve this situation."

Mark Fairhurst, POA Chair added:

"This is an outrage and a major scandal but sadly it is entirely predictable as the previous private contractor couldn't deliver the Civil Service Pension Scheme on time either.

The Government has to intervene now to ensure POA members who have paid into their pension scheme all their time in the service, are paid the pensions they are owed and on time. If Capita are unable to resolve the situation immediately the Government must take action to prevent those waiting on their pension getting into debt or becoming destitute." 

  

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For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                020 8803 0255 Option 7