Complaints to the pensions ombudsman rose sharply last year, according to the latest figures.

In the year to the end of March 3,891 complaints were received, up from 2,946 over the previous 12 months.

Forum Response: Association of Retired and Persons Over 50

Don Steele, director of social policy, told ePolitix.com: "No one will be surprised that complaints to the pensions ombudsman are multiplying. The halcyon days of high interest rates and the consequent concealment of risk are being replaced by a realisation among members of pension schemes that the market place can turn thirty years of thrift and prudence into a retirement nightmare of disappointment and anger.

"The 'sure thing' of defined benefit has been revealed as what it is. 'Sure' only when the assets - reduced in many cases by the 'holidays' taken by greedy employers in the good times - can meet obligations. For those switched to, or persuaded by government propaganda to buy into, defined contribution schemes the risk is even greater. Those on the private pensions roller coaster know that when you are up you are up and when you are down you are down and it is just a matter of chance where you happen to be when the lever is pulled.

"This is why ARP/050 has said consistently that the only way out of this morass is for the state pension to be elevated from the means tested afterthought which it is fast becoming and placed at the centre of replacement income in retirement.

"This call for radical change must be placed at the centre of debate at the next general election. The only question is which party would have the courage to propose it?"

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Richard Wilson, incomes policy officer at Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "We feel that the increase in complaints to the ombudsman is real evidence of the continuing crisis in confidence in the pensions system, rather than of overenthusiastic coverage by the media. Many people have seen the income they were planning to rely on in retirement disappear before their eyes and are understandably demanding advice and action from officials.

"If the government is to stem this, very real, crisis it needs to act quickly to make pensions more secure. This groundswell of consumer anxiety and anger is a response to the government's decision to bury its head in the sand, rather than to act decisively and radically on pensions policy."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Mick McAteer, senior policy adviser at the Consumers' Association, told ePolitix.com: "Not surprisingly, confidence in the entire system (state, employer and private pensions) has been undermined by a series of high profile scandals and scares.

"The current pensions system is not meeting consumer needs, nor indeed does it serve the national economic interest. Reform of the entire pensions system should be given the same priority as the health service, education and the other great national public policy issues.

"We need an ambitious national pensions policy to restore confidence and provide a new framework for creating a fair, sustainable and cost-effective system that funds a decent pension system for all and ensures that future generations don't pick up the tab for today's policy failures.

"For that to happen, however, requires the government to recognise the important role it has to play in restoring confidence in an uncertain world by acting as an intermediary between consumers and all powerful markets."

Forum Response: National Consumer Council

James King, spokesman for the NCC, told ePolitix.com: "With the number of complaints handled by the pensions ombudsman on the increase, it is vital that people have easy and speedy access to redress in the event of unfair treatment. Yet, not enough is being done to promote the work of the ombudsman to the public.

"The concerns of the ombudsman, that his office is overstretched, should serve as a wake-up call to the Department for Work and Pensions to provide the resources needed to help the company scheme members who have not been treated fairly."

Forum Response: Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

A spokeswoman for Opra told ePolitix.com: "Pension scheme members are certainly more aware of the issues affecting pensions today, and intensified media coverage has played a part in raising general public awareness.

"Trustees of most pension schemes have a duty to make information available to members, including how the scheme is run and the benefits that it provides. Opra values the services that the Pensions Ombudsman and Opas provide to members.

"They play a vital role in giving advice and helping to resolve disputes members may have with their schemes."