Pension news

1 Pension news April 2017 Civil Service Pensions Newsletter Welcome to your annual edition of Pension news from Civil Service Pensions You can also view this newsletter on our website Inside Annual Frequently Preventing If your Useful Review of asked fraud details contacts Pensions questions change 2017 Annual Pensions Newsletter Annual Review of Pensions in Payment Pensions in payment are reviewed annually in line If the CPI shows an increase in prices from one with Treasury Orders. This review is called the annual September to the next, Civil Service Pensions in Pensions Increase (or PI) and takes effect on the payment are usually increased the following April Monday following 6th April each year. Therefore, this to reflect this. If CPI shows that prices have fallen year, the Pensions Increase takes effect from Monday or remained at the same level, then no increase will 10th April. usually be applied to Civil Service Pensions in payment.

2 The Treasury Order takes account of the previous As CPI at September 2016 was 1%, the Treasury Order September's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure to has confirmed that that a 1% increase will be paid to determine what the adjustment will be. Civil Service Pensions in payment this year. Frequently asked questions What is Pensions Pension at the end of the month now send these documents as soon 30th April, your payment will reflect as they are produced which means Increase? the new increased rate from 10 - 30 you may receive them separately. Pensions Increase is the annual April and the pre-increase lower You will receive both documents by increase which may be applied to rate for 1st - 9th April. the end of May. your Civil Service Pension . Why have I not received The increase to my It is applied at the same percentage as the annual increase to the the full 1% increase in Pension takes me over Additional State Pension .

3 My occupational Civil the limit that allows me Service Pension ? to claim benefits. Can I. Who is entitled to If you're over state Pension age return the increase? Pensions Increase? and you were working in the Civil If you're entitled to the Pension When an increase is due, it's usually Service prior to 6th April 1997, part of increase, this amount will be taken paid to anyone aged 55 or over your Pension increase is paid within into account when any benefits are and anyone under 55 when they've your state Pension . Therefore, if calculated. As such, returning the qualified for: you didn't receive the full 1% in your increase would therefore not serve lan ill-health retirement Pension occupational Pension , you will have any purpose. received an increase in your state la widow's Pension Pension to compensate. Where can I find out what la widower's Pension my spouse will receive in la civil partner's Pension On my P60, why is the the event of my death?

4 La partner's Pension or annual Pension figure not Prior to your retirement, you will la child's Pension the same as the actual have received a set of paperwork Pension I get paid? which will have documented your When is Pensions Your P60 shows the total of all Pension in detail, including the Increase applied? payments you've received during amount of Pension which would be the tax year. This may be different payable to your spouse in the event Pensions Increase is applied from to your annual Pension figure of your death. Please refer to this the first Monday after 6th April. because it may take into account a documentation for those details. What is this year's number of factors such as a change Who do I speak to if I. in the annual rate paid to you or an increase? increase in Pension during the year. think my tax code is The full increase is 1% incorrect? If I haven't received We are unable to change your tax If my Pension has been my P60 yet when will I code unless HMRC tells us to do increased, why haven't I receive it?

5 So. If you have any queries about received a full month at In previous years, you may have your tax code or tax liability, please the new annual rate? received your P60 at the same time contact HM Revenue & Customs on Pension payments are made in 0300 200 3300 or Overseas as your payslip. However, following arrears. Therefore, if you receive your +44 135 535 9022. feedback from some members, we 2017 Annual Pensions Newsletter Preventing fraud It's important that the Civil Service Pensions arrangements don't make Pension payments to members who've died, or are no longer eligible to receive them. To validate eligibility we take part in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), which involves checking our Pension records against Government data. The NFI programme only covers UK residents, so if you live outside the UK we'll write to you periodically to confirm your continuing eligibility for your Pension . It's important that you don't ignore these letters as your Pension may be suspended if we don't hear from you.

6 If fraudulent activity is found to have been committed, we will recover the payments and cases can be referred to the police, which may lead to prosecution. If your details Don't forget to let us know if you're letter please confirm your name, moving house or changing your bank date of birth, your Pension details so we can make sure you scheme and your current address continue to receive your payments. and postcode. Details of how to contact us can be l A photocopy of documentation found at the end of this newsletter. confirming the change in If you change your address or bank details a utility bill or a account details, we need you to send bank statement Please note, in specific information (detailed below) order to protect your personal to us to enable us to make the information we're unable to amendment to your Pension record; amend your personal details over l A signed letter confirming your the phone or via email.

7 Member number or National If we're paying you a widow's, under the classic or classic plus Insurance number. Within the widower's or civil partner's Pension arrangements we also need to know if you've re-married, entered into a civil partnership or co-habit. 2 7 5 8 It's important that you regularly Sudoku review your death benefit nomination 4 3 7 and partner declaration (classic 9 5 plus/premium/nuvos) to ensure puzzle 1 5 6. it's up to date. You can find a form and instructions on the Civil Service Pensions website. Enter numbers into the 7 6 5 2 1 9 In the event of your death, your next blank spaces so that of kin or other representative should 1 9 4. each row, column and let us know as soon as possible. 3x3 box contains the 6 1 Contact details are shown at the end numbers 1 to 9. of this newsletter. Please note that 7 8 9 your Pension stops on the day you Solution on back page. die, so any money paid that covers a 3 2 4 7 period after the date you die has to be repaid.

8 2017 Annual Pensions Newsletter Useful Contacts Each of these organisations has long-standing links to the Civil Service and operates either as a charity itself or as a not for profit organisation, donating all surplus to civil service charities. They provide a range of products and services which you may find useful. Please contact the organisations directly (using the details listed below) should you wish to do so. The Charity for Civil The CSRF is the only civil service Servants (formerly charity entirely dedicated to known as The Civil supporting retired civil servants, Service Benevolent their partners and dependents. We Fund) is here to support all civil servants, past offer a whole range of services for and present, throughout their lives, with whatever retired civil servants including local problems you may have. It's the occupational charity community groups, national befriending schemes, for all retired, current and former civil servants and signposting, advice and volunteering opportunities.

9 Their financial dependents and is not a membership We are supported by subscriptions and are offering a organisation you don't need to have been a donor 50% discount on annual subs for all new subscribers to benefit from its support and it offers a completely who sign up in 2017. confidential service accessible by telephone or Find out more by calling 020 8691 7411, email: online. Services include financial assistance, or visit relationship help, caring, mental health support and signposting and money and debt advice. Visit the Charity's website The Civil Service to find out more about the ways in which it can make Pensioners' Alliance is an difficult times a little easier or call their confidential independent, non-party Freephone number 0800 056 2424 political membership organisation for retired civil servants, which campaigns to maintain and improve the purchasing power of Civil Service The Civil Service Insurance Pensions and to promote the economic and Society (CSIS) has been a social well-being of pensioners generally, through provider of Home, Motor improved pensions, health & social care, transport and Travel insurance to and other issues of concern to retired people.

10 It retired Civil Servants for advises and represents members if they have over 126 years. We offer problems with their pensions, benefits and tax. quality products at specially The Alliance is also recognised by the Cabinet negotiated rates, and award winning customer Office as representative of Civil Service Pensioners. service for being the Most Trusted UK Car Insurance The Alliance also offers a full range of exclusive Provider so you could not be in safer hands. We Membership Benefits and Services. are proud of our not for profit' status and our donations to civil and public service charities have The Alliance welcomes new members, who can join exceeded 4 million in the last 6 years. For an by contacting its HQ at or on instant quotation call us to see if we can save you 020 8688 8418 or by visiting its website at money on your insurance premium and help us to help others in need and hardship through the CSIS.