The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that it will shortly start the search for a new pensions ombudsman and deputy.
Tony King, the current ombudsman, will leave the post in late spring 2015, having served four terms. Jane Irvine's second three-year term as the part-time deputy ombudsman ends next autumn.
But the DWP said both King and Irvine would be flexible about their departure dates to ensure a smooth transition when the new candidates take up their posts.
Pensions minister Steve Webb said he was 'grateful' to King for the impact he had made since taking up the post in 2007. He said: '[King] successfully led the office through a period of change as it modernised its working methods and IT systems.'
Webb also thanked Irvine for her 'hard work' and flexibility, adding that he 'wished both of them well for the future.'
King said: 'I have hugely enjoyed my time in almost eight years as pensions ombudsman. Since I joined we have made a great deal of progress in becoming more informal, flexible and efficient. In the next few months we will be introducing further important developments, making us more accessible and emphasising our service users' needs and expectations.'
Irvine added that she enjoyed her five-years as deputy pensions ombudsman, and she said the role had been 'challenging' and 'interesting'.
'As I did not plan to stand for a third term, I thought it would be helpful to make this clear now so that DWP can recruit for both the new ombudsman and deputy at the same time.'
The secretary of state for work and pensions will appoint both post holders.