Beneficiaries and Pension payments

[polyu4321]

I would be very grateful for any informed advice that can be offered.
In early 2022 my wonderful partner passed suddenly, we had been living together as a family for 33 years but never felt the need to marry. Early last year I discovered some paperwork relating to an earlier works pension she had held and contacted the company. Because we had not married, they did not want to entertain me at all. However, I doggedly persisted in claiming a spousal pension and this month they finally relented after 18 months of persistent delays and obfuscation.
When I retired my pension company gave me details about my years of pensionable service and what this service had accrued etc. This company have given me the option of either a very small annual pension (£300) or a single lump payment. This company have not provided any explanation whatsoever about how they calculated these sums? However, when I retired my own pension company gave me details about my years of pensionable service and what this had accrued etc.
Should they have provided me with details about how they calculated these sums or am I officially allowed to request this information and if so, how should I?
They have been incredibly evasive, ponderous and pedantic in replying to previous questions, so I am very dubious about their final figures and really want to be sure of my position before approaching them again?

Thank you in anticipation

[atticus]

I can think of no reason why you should not ask.

[polyu4321]

Thank you for your rapid response.
They have been incredibly difficult up to this point. I have already submiitted two formal complaints during the last 18 months, both related to unnecessary delays and obfuscation and both were upheld in my favour. Hence my question. would they be obliged to provide me with any further details?

[polyu4321]

I can think of no reason why you should not ask.

Thank you for your rapid response.
They have been incredibly difficult up to this point. I have already submiitted two formal complaints during the last 18 months, both related to unnecessary delays and obfuscation and both were upheld in my favour. Hence my question. would they be obliged to provide me with any further details?

[atticus]

OK, you did not mention your history of previous complaints in your first post. I cannot say whether this means that you have come to the end of the road there. Do they say what you can do if you are dissatisfied with the response to the complaint?

[polyu4321]

OK, you did not mention your history of previous complaints in your first post. I cannot say whether this means that you have come to the end of the road there. Do they say what you can do if you are dissatisfied with the response to the complaint?

Both complaints were judged in my favour and financial compensation was offered for both complaints (about how they were treating by application for a spousal pension) These complaints were entirely seperate to their recent decision to allow a spousal pension or lump sum. Given their previous conduct and the lack of transparency about how these payments were calculated, I am dubious about their accuracey. Hence my original question, am I entitled to know how they made their calculations ?

[atticus]

I repeat that I can see no reason why you should not ask.

Are you aware of the Pensions Ombudsman (https://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/ )? You might consider escalation there if you are unhappy with the reply or the time taken to reply.

[polyu4321]

I repeat that I can see no reason why you should not ask.

Are you aware of the Pensions Ombudsman (https://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/ )? You might consider escalation there if you are unhappy with the reply or the time taken to reply.

Thank you very much for your time and advice ATTICUS
Kind regards