TP297 The Pensioner Summer 2024 Taster

Summer 2024 / Issue 297 / www.cspa.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONERS’ ALLIANCE

TUC conference: spotlight on pensions under the next government

Volunteering: how one member’s work with his local group turned his life around

Annual Report 2023: special supplement with this magazine

Flying high How to get the most out of holidays designed for you

Group and branch updates

Readers’ letters

Computer helpdesk

Puzzles

News

Financial advice for members The CSPA is has teamed up with Quilter Financial Advisers to offer free initial financial advice for members. Quilter advises on a range of issues in later life, including financial planning, investments, wills, power of attorney and equity release.

Getting professional help to plan your financial future in retirement and manage your wealth can greatly improve your chances of achieving your retirement goals. Whether you’re looking to grow your savings or the right way to pass on your wealth to loved ones, Quilter can help you: • Manage your wealth to make the most of tax-efficient investment opportunities • Protect your wealth so your family can maintain their standard of living if something should happen to you • Retain more of your hard-earned money ethically and legally • Preserve the value of your estate for your loved ones.

You are entitled to a no-obligation free initial financial consultation

Quilter Financial Advisers is part of Quilter plc, a UK-focused full-service wealth manager, providing advice-led investment solutions and investment platform services to more than 900,000 customers.

Your need for financial advice and planning lasts a lifetime and it’s Quilter’s job to be there for you. Its advisers can build an understanding of your needs and support you every step of the way.

As a CSPA member, you are entitled to a no-obligation free initial financial consultation with a Quilter adviser to discuss your situation and find out how financial advice could benefit you.

Your adviser will take the time to get to know you, your current financial situation and your goals and can help you to design a plan as individual as you are.

If you’d like to book your free initial financial consultation, follow these three simple steps: • Telephone Quilter on 08000 85 85 90, quoting CSPA • We’ll match you with one of our qualified financial experts • Your free initial consultation will be arranged.

Farewell and thanks Sandra Sandra Roberts, the CSPA’s Membership Records Administrator, retired at the end of April after more than 24 years at CSPA head office.

Sandra was the longest serving member of staff, having been appointed in June 2010, but she also spent many years before that as a volunteer at HQ. CSPA General Secretary Sally Tsoukaris commented: “We wish Sandra everything of the best for a long and happy retirement, and thank her for everything she’s done for CSPA members and her colleagues. Sandra will be greatly

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missed, but we look forward to seeing her again at the AGM in October, when we hope she will join us as the Executive Council’s guest.”

Sandra said: “I have spent 24 very happy years with the Alliance and have formed many longstanding friendships with members of staff.

We worked hard and laughed a lot.”

A century of Frank Cooper CSPA President Brian Sturtevant and Treasurer Mike Sparham celebrated the 100th birthday of Frank Cooper, a former National Pensioners Convention (NPC) President, shortly before he died.

Frank turned 100 on 29 January and celebrated with family and friends, but celebrations also took place on 28 February at Unite HQ, where this picture was taken.

Many NPC and trade union activists who had worked with Frank over the years enjoyed an afternoon reminiscing and celebrating.

Frank had been NPC President after Jack Jones and Rodney Bickerstaffe, both hard acts to follow, but put his own stamp of kindness, consideration and good humour on the difficult challenges of campaigning for pensioner rights.

He served as President from 2005 to 2013 after a lifetime of trade union activism and political activity.

He will be remembered for his long service to those in work or retired.

Brian said: “Frank never let the trials and tribulations of uncooperative governments and awkward delegates upset him. His kindness, outgoing personality and good humour got him through.

“If a problem seemed too much, it was a case of: ‘Let’s go down the pub and think about it over a pint.’

There was always a solution.”

Frank passed away on 12 March.

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News

Spotting scams and fighting fraud The Crawley & District Group recently heard from Bernadette Lawrie, a financial abuse safeguarding officer at Sussex Police, writes Brian Sturtevant.

We found the talk fascinating and concerning in equal measure and would recommend this talk to all groups. Most police forces have similar departments and responsible officers who can talk to interested groups. The police are concerned about vulnerable older people

who have been tricked into handing over their hard-earned savings and keen to raise awareness of the dangers that exist.

Two amazing facts emerged from the talk. First, the activities of scammers and

Fraudsters are extracting £119 billion a year from the British economy

Roisin becomes Vice Chair Roisin Lilley is the new Vice Chair of the CSPA following a vote by the membership.

The position became vacant after former Vice Chair Linda RidgersWaite became the Chair following the decision by previous incumbent Don Makepeace to step down.

Roisin has served on the CSPA’s Executive Council in one of the two positions reserved for women. She is also Membership Secretary and Treasurer of the CSPA’s Northern Ireland Branch.

Roisin was one of two candidates standing for election, along with

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South West Regional Representative Les Calder.

She said: “I am honoured and humbled to be elected as the Vice Chair of the CSPA. Voting in CSPA elections is vital to our democratic traditions, so a sincere thanks to all groups and branches who voted, whether for me or for Les. I will strive to support the Chair, HQ staff, Executive Council and all local representatives to strengthen the CSPA in order to deliver for all CSPA members.”

• The CSPA and me, page 31

fraudsters are extracting £119 billion a year from the British economy, stealing money especially from older people like you and me.

This money, nearly all of which goes abroad, is then used to finance other criminal activity, such as drugs trafficking, arms dealing and people smuggling.

Just think of what we could do with £119 billion a year – the boost to the NHS, social care and education would be wonderful.

Second, scammers and fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated because in many foreign countries they have training colleges just to teach the criminals how to convince you their activities are genuine.

If you have ever wondered how an unusual email, phone call or website seems to know so much about you, it’s because the scammers have spent many hours researching and being trained on how they can hook you.

So beware: if an offer seems too good to be true, or the offer of an exciting romantic liaison seems irresistible, resist it and report it to the police, Action Fraud, your bank or another relevant authority.

In the next edition of The Pensioner we will be including a feature on the most common types of scam and how you can spot and avoid them.

Apology to Scotland Branch In March, we had an issue with a mailing list generated for the distributors of the CSPA Scotland Branch newsletter, which meant it was posted in duplicate to several joint members.

We have since identified the cause of the problem and taken steps to rectify it, and we are assured that members’ data security was not compromised.

Nevertheless, we apologise unreservedly to all members affected for any inconvenience or upset caused.

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General secretary's

Report Sally Tsoukaris

W

elcome to the Summer edition.

Time has flown and our HQ team is in full swing preparing for the 2024 Annual General Meeting. The event offers delegates a chance to make and renew friendships, hear interesting presentations and debate motions that determine our future policies and campaign agenda.

CSPA groups and branches submit motions and suggest rule amendments on members’ behalf, as well as nominating to Executive Council (EC) positions. Individual CSPA members can also attend and submit motions for debate. Please do get in touch to find out more, as advice and support is available. The deadline for the submission of AGM motions, constitutional amendments and nominations is Friday 5 July, and we will finalise our AGM delegate lists in early September.

This summer, digital exclusion (or inclusion) is our focus, highlighting to decision-makers its impact on older people. We do this directly and with partners such as the NPC, Age UK and Independent Age. Members often raise issues around access to cash, as hundreds of high-street bank branches and thousands of ATMs have closed in recent years. A Financial

Conduct Authority (FCA) report, Consumer credit and consumers in vulnerable circumstances, confirmed in 2014 that older people are more significantly affected by this than other social groups.

Continued access to cash and in-person financial services is a key demand Continued access to cash and in-person financial services is a key demand of our Later Life Ambitions (LLA) manifesto, and in discussions with ministers and MPs. In January, the CSPA contributed evidence to the FCA consultation on access to cash.

On another digital exclusion issue, we were pleased to hear that from April, GP practices will be required to allow patients to book appointments by phone, following reports that some were forcing people to book online.

Indeed, we endorse Age UK’s

Firming up campaign links Social care provision, and support for those in need and their families, is close to many members’ hearts, and last year’s AGM motions tasked us with raising the profile of these issues.

The EC seeks to join like-minded groups to back relevant campaigns.

We became one of some 60 charities and not-for-profits affiliated to the Care and Support Alliance (CSA), which aims to keep social care on the political agenda and ensure better legislation for older people, disabled

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people, those with long-term health conditions and carers.

The CSPA and others will be launching the CSA’s Show Us You Care campaign on 24 June and celebrating Social Care Promise Day on 24 July to mark the fifth anniversary of the day Boris Johnson promised, on the steps of Downing Street, to “fix social care for once and for all”.

We are also part of the Carer Poverty Coalition led by Carers UK, joining 100 organisations to campaign to end poverty among carers. The Coalition

Offline and Overlooked campaign, calling for “all public services, including NHS, council services and other nationally provided public services” to be “legally required to offer and promote an affordable, easy to access, offline way of reaching and using them”. Sign Age UK’s petition online at www.ageuk.org.uk or by post at Freepost Age UK Campaigns.

According to Age UK, 2.7 million older people in the UK aren’t internet users and many find it increasingly difficult to access day-to-day necessities such as banking, medical appointments and parking.

We support Age UK’s calls for improved funding for local authorities and others to help those who want to get online. If you would like to improve your IT skills, Independent Age offers free training you can access on your own or with the help of a friend, carer or relative. Visit www. independentage.org/ hidigital or telephone 0800 319 6789.

Members can also access free IT support from BC Technologies, who are happy to assist – see page 41.

has launched a petition demanding the Carer’s Allowance be reformed to increase support for carers and reduce overpayment issues. Margaret Greenwood MP tabled questions on its behalf after government data in April indicated it was attempting to recoup Carer’s Allowance overpayments from 156,000 unpaid carers, many of whom are already below the poverty line.

The Coalition is also urging government to review its withdrawal of allowance payments when a carer reaches state pension age, causing many to suffer a fall in income as their caring responsibilities continue.

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General secretary

Continuing to hold government to account I have written to government ministers and others to highlight concerns raised at the 2023 AGM. Several motions called for additional local authority funding to support adult social care services, so I wrote to minister Michael Gove: “Local authorities provide a great many essential services to our members, as well as to other older people and vulnerable groups but, after a decade of significant public expenditure cuts, most public and local authority services are now left struggling. This results in many essential services failing to reach even basic service standards due to inadequate staffing and resources.

“Often essential personal services are curtailed or disbanded, causing extreme levels of anxiety and distress, particularly to older people so reliant on them. Local authorities are key to enabling older and more vulnerable people to be active members of their communities, and to... maintain their health and wellbeing.

“We urge you to recognise, and speedily address, the staffing and other resource needs of all public services along with adequate local authority resourcing…”

Local government minister Simon Hoare said he was “determined to help councils make a positive change to the lives of their local residents” and the “above-inflation increase” in the local government finance settlement for 2024/25 “demonstrates how the government stands behind councils”. An extra £500 million of funding was being distributed through the Social Care Grant unveiled in January, he added.

We met Simon Hoare in April to discuss members’ concerns around local authority funding, and the need for a national strategy to reform social care. Whilst he

CSPA NI Chair Stan Blayney with Sally Tsoukaris, Roisin Lillley and Tony McMullan

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agreed a review of the funding model was long overdue and “shared many of our concerns”, he believed improved stability would best be achieved by three-year funding settlements and councils having access to more localised data.

Despite our efforts to press the minister on the need for a national social care

We have sent letters to ministers Michael Gove and Victoria Atkins framework, he would only say that whoever forms the next government, funding issues, especially over social care, could only be addressed by cross-party agreement on “sustainable solutions to give private providers the space to innovate”.

I also wrote to Local Government Association (LGA) chair Shaun Davies: “We know the LGA is working with councils at the coalface on these issues, and we want to urge you to continue to recognise and speedily address the staffing and resource needs of all public services, along with adequate local authority resourcing.”

We have since met LGA representatives to explore how we might support their campaigns for improved funding for local government services.

Letters were also sent to health secretary Victoria Atkins on NHS waiting lists, GP appointments, hospital beds, A&E services and community-based reablement, and to Northern Ireland ministers Naomi Long, Gordon Lyons and Robin Swann on age discrimination protection and the need for a Warm Homes Discount scheme in the province.

Tony McMullan and Roisin Lilley from CSPA NI and I met the Department for Communities at Stormont on 23 April (pictured left) to call for an equivalent to the Warm Homes Discount.

We discussed the fuel poverty strategy, highlighting the plight of pensioners forced to choose between heating or eating and citing the number of deaths attributable to cold weather in the cost-of-living crisis.

Two Million Too Many I represented the CSPA at an Independent Age event launching the Two Million Too Many campaign in April, hosted by LibDem pensions spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain, to spotlight pensioner poverty. Speakers included Jo Gideon MP and Work and Pensions Select Committee chair Sir Stephen Timms.

The briefing document powerfully mapped out pensioner poverty around the UK, describing a hidden reality in which two million older people live in poverty, with many others facing hardship.

The document said: “A damaging stereotype permeates our society: that everyone in later life is enjoying a comfortable retirement with a large pension pot, mortgage-free house and significant savings. Sadly, for many, this is not the case…”

Mega Miles Challenge The CSPA’s HQ team joined many around the country for the Charity for Civil Servants’ Mega Miles Challenge in May – taking on personal challenges to stroll, walk, jog or even run in support of colleagues and former colleagues in need of help. We have used our website and social media to report back on the miles clocked up in aid of this very good cause.

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Q&A

The CSPA and Me When did you join the CSPA and why?

I joined in February 2019, when I took early retirement. My, now late, husband was an active member of the Northern Ireland Branch of the CSPA and I had always been an active trade union member, so it was a no-brainer.

What do you do in the CSPA? I have just been elected as Vice Chair of the CSPA. I am also the Membership Secretary and Treasurer of the Northern Ireland Branch, and served as the NI Representative on the Executive Council (EC) before being elected to one of the two national seats for women on the EC.

John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0; © John Mathew Smith 2001; Bill Ebbesen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Have you made friends in the CSPA? Yes, I have been fortunate enough to make lots of friends and acquaintances throughout the CSPA. I am quite chatty, so that helps.

What job did you do before retiring?

I finished my civil service career in Northern Ireland’s Department of Education, working in an area that was trying to encourage ‘shared education’ – bringing together schools, teachers and pupils from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds to be educated together. Quite a few also involve special schools.

What’s been your career highlight?

I was seconded to NIPSA, the largest civil and public service trade union in Northern ireland, for 11 years, representing trade union members in personal cases and achieving good outcomes.

Where is the worst place you’ve worked?

I’ve been fortunate to enjoy most of the places I’ve worked, but if pushed I would probably say the haematology laboratory at the Belvoir Park Hospital in Belfast. Not

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What advice would you give someone starting in the civil service?

Join the trade union on day one, and look out for your pension.

Who is your biggest hero?

I’m torn between Marie Curie and Nelson Mandela.

And villain?

Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin.

Roisin Lilley CSPA Vice Chair; Membership Secretary/ Treasurer, CSPA NI because of the people I was working with, but because as a specialist cancer hospital you were always very aware that the results you had to turn around so quickly would determine whether someone would get treatment. This could literally be lifeimpacting for patients and families.

And the best?

Schools’ Finance Branch, in the Department of Education. Despite the reducing budgets, you felt that the work you were doing and the advice you were providing to the minister was having a direct positive impact on most of the schools and their pupils.

Which six people (alive or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?

My late husband, Jim, as he was such good company. Rosa Parks, what a brave and inspirational woman. Marie Curie, the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. Nelson Mandela, another of my heroes. And as every dinner party needs music and stories, Bruce Springsteen (an imaginative songwriter) and Stephen Fry (a great raconteur and comedian).

What was your earliest thought about what should change in society?

I was always conscious my family had less money that many friends and acquaintances. I accepted it but couldn’t understand why – I felt a more equitable distribution of wealth was needed.

What are your hopes for the civil service over the next five years?

That it be given the resources, in terms of staffing and funds, to provide the services required by civil society.

And fears?

More cuts and privatisation, more political interference.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a principled person who believed in social justice and always did her best to help others.

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Travel

Holidays with a silver lining There are more options than ever for over-50s wanting to get away, but for those looking for value for money, Helen Nugent has some words of warning

I

s age just a number when going on holiday? With the over-50s’ desire for travel strong, and the proportion of solo tourists within that demographic on the rise, travel companies have cottoned on to the power of the silver pound.

Where once Saga dominated the over-50s market, today there are offerings from many firms, all keen to provide the older generation with neverto-be-forgotten trips. And it’s a sector that shows no sign of decline.

A recent survey by Saga found that 39% of people expect to travel more in 2024, rising to 43% for those aged between 50 and 69.

According to Saga’s Travel Trends 2024 research among its customers, 56% of respondents are already holding at least one booking for 2024, but they expect to take three holidays.

As to preferred destinations, about a third have signed up for an ocean cruise. And while two thirds are planning a home break this year, European city getaways are also in vogue.

But are holidays for the over-50s good value for money? An all-inclusive cruise may sound appealing and a guided city tour with pre-booked hotels seems hassle-free, but these kind of travel deals sometimes have hidden charges.

Then there’s the single supplement – the bane of many people who travel solo. Let’s take a closer look at what you get for your money.

First, it’s helpful to clarify just what constitutes an over-50s holiday. Tim Williamson, customer director at

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Responsible Travel, has some ideas.

Year-on-year, his travel company has seen a 22% rise in bookings for its over50s range of trips.

“For me, holidays when you’re over 50 are about opportunity,” he says. “If you’re fit and want a challenge, more active adventures shouldn’t be shut off.

Perhaps the kids have left home, or you may have retired and you’re ready for a new adventure of your own. We’ve seen a rise in trekking, kayaking and wildlifetracking tours among the over-50s.

“Others prefer a cultural tour but may want to explore a place differently – swapping a coach trip for a cycling tour, a luxury cruise for a small ship tour.”

Steve Parker, product development director at Staysure, a travel insurance provider for the over-50s, agrees that individuals are no longer defined by

“If you’re fit and want a challenge, active breaks shouldn’t be shut off” their age when booking holidays – but they know what they want.

“Many individuals over 50 prioritise relaxation and leisure during their holidays, opting for activities such as beach vacations, spa retreats or cruises to unwind and de-stress,” he says. “With more time and resources available post-retirement, they often seek opportunities for cultural exploration –

visiting historical sites and museums or experiencing local cuisines.

“While some prefer relaxation, it’s clear there is a huge appetite for adventure and travel among all age groups, especially since the pandemic.”

Value for money But while the appetite for adventure is alive and well among the over-50s, so is the ambition for good value for money.

Setting a realistic budget is key, as is choosing a destination that matches this in terms of accommodation and the cost of living.

Take advantage of being able to travel during off-peak periods. By avoiding school and national holidays, travellers can snap up last-minute deals and discounts. But it’s also important to plan ahead – or have a checklist if you do decide to book at the eleventh hour.

If you prefer to take your time though, don’t leave important things such as booking accommodation, transportation and activities too late.

Last-minute offers can be beneficial, but so is thinking ahead, as Becky O’Connor, director of public affairs at online pension provider PensionBee, explains. “Making reservations in advance can help to secure the best deals and provide a wider range of options,” she says. “Travellers should also ensure they’re aware of any travel restrictions, such as visa requirements and entry regulations for their destination, to ensure they aren’t denied entry or face other

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Travel

Holiday snap: five-day cruise We asked someone who had paid for a specialist over-50s holiday whether they found it good value. Journalist Jan Orchard and her partner chose a fiveday Saga holiday to see if they liked it, and also in the hope that it would be stress-free – Jan’s partner had had a stroke and was liable to wander off.

She says: “Sapphire was an old ship but very comfortable and with brilliant service. Since then, we have travelled several times on their fab new ship, Discovery, to Norway, the Canaries, Bordeaux and the Scottish islands.

“It’s good value because everything is included – a private car to the ship, all drinks, meals and gratuities, though All aboard: Geirangerfjord, Norway (centre) and Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria (bottom)

complications on arrival.”

She adds: “Considerations should be made for health and accessibility concerns. Choosing destinations and activities that accommodate physical limitations or health issues is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.”

Meanwhile, hidden ‘extras’ abound on all sorts of holidays. Common add-ons include gratuities, excursions, food, drinks and internet access. So scrutinise the small print before signing up.

And if you’re a solo traveller, you’ll need to have your wits about you. In many cases, a premium surcharge is applied to someone holidaying alone.

Accommodation vendors argue that single travellers should expect to pay for the luxury of having a room to themselves, while other firms justify the ‘single supplement’ because people on their own are thought to spend less on

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food, drinks and entertainment.

So, if you’re over 50 and embarking on a solo trip, do your homework.

Saga’s data shows a big increase in solo travellers booking holidays in 2024 (20% of its customers plan to travel alone this year) and some travel companies don’t penalise single men or women.

Travel insurance Another key cost issue is travel insurance. Traditionally, the older you are, the more expensive the policy, but there are good-value deals if you know where to look – and what to look for.

“Begin by evaluating the coverage limits across different aspects, such as medical expenses, trip cancellation and baggage loss/delay,” says Parker from Staysure. “Ensure these limits are suitable for your requirements and the destinations you plan to visit. And for

you can tip if you want to. Prices look higher than other cruise lines, but if you add in the drinks and everything else, it evens out. There is no extra charge for the specialist restaurants.

“Also, the Saga ships have big, comfortable cabins with balconies and room service included. It is a completely stress-free holiday, especially if you are travelling with someone disabled.

“I would say the entertainment isn’t great, but there are good crafts sessions, a nice spa, a library and very nice food. Excursions are included, and tend to be of the coach party type, but give a snapshot of the destination. There are also chargeable excursions that are a little more active.”

older travellers, adequate coverage for medical expenses, including repatriation, is very important.

“Ensure the policy covers preexisting conditions, as well as any exclusions or specific criteria that may apply. It’s essential to ensure the policy aligns with your unique medical needs.

“Consider the duration and frequency of your trips. Some policies impose restrictions on trip length or the number of days per trip.

“And be mindful of any age-related restrictions on the policy, as certain insurers impose limitations or shorten trip durations for older travellers.

“Carefully review the policy’s exclusions and limitations to understand what is not covered.

This includes activities, sports and geographical restrictions.”

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Deputy general secretary

Happy holidays!

As summer approaches, David Luxton points us towards a new travel insurance scheme

But even with this, future state pension increases are likely to be far lower, with inflation rising at a much slower rate (which still means higher prices) but likely to be at or below the 2% Bank of England target. And it is likely earnings growth will follow at a much slower rate in the foreseeable future.

New travel insurance scheme Better weather means travel plans, be it a cruise, beach holiday or city break. Or as Mungo Jerry sang: “When the weather’s fine, we go fishing or go swimming in the sea. We’re always happy, life’s for living, that’s our philosophy.”

So, what better time to announce a new travel insurance scheme from our partners at the Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS), available to eligible CSPA members from 1 July, with fixed premiums based on being “fit to travel”.

The CSPA and CSIS have listened to member feedback about the CSIS travel insurance arrangement launched

Individual

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Couple

in October 2022, and concerns about medical screening. So the CSIS has a new offering from insurer PJ Hayman: • The new CSPA travel scheme will go live on 1 July 2024. Once the scheme is live, you will be able to purchase your policy online. Details of the portal address will be shared nearer the time of the launch.

• This is a Fit to Travel scheme designed for CSPA members. There is no medical screening requirement but members must be medically fit to travel and able to comply with the eligibility statement.

• To take advantage of this new arrangement, the proposer must be UK-resident and a CSPA member aged between 50 and 79 at the time of joining (thereafter no upper age limit will apply).

• The rates are set out in the box below.

• If a member cannot comply with the eligibility, the CSIS can refer to its insurance panel via Aneevo. Aneevo has a range of travel insurance providers to cater for adverse medical needs, higher age limits etc. To check eligibility for the scheme or be referred to Aneevo, visit www.csis.co.uk/cspa Further details will be provided on the CSPA website soon.

Monitoring bank accounts In a worrying move, the government has defended its proposals to give banks and other financial institutions powers to monitor the bank accounts of anyone in receipt of state pension “to tackle

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UNITED ARCHIVES GMBH / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

M

ungo Jerry captured the spirit of summer in 1970 with a one-hit wonder, In the Summertime.

It’s a summer I remember well as I’d just left school and moved to London to start my first job in the civil service in the DHSS. Ted Heath had just been elected prime minister – though he too turned out to be a one-hit wonder. After a difficult few years, he lost the February 1974 election to Harold Wilson and returned to his passion of sailing.

Fifty-four years on, the Mungo Jerry song still evokes feel-good nostalgia, especially after such a soggy spring. But even the rain-sodden spring had a feelgood factor. During the local government and mayoral elections in May, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition both committed to retaining the state pension triple-lock for the five-year duration of the next parliament.

Clearly aimed at the pensioner vote, but welcome news nonetheless, it ensures the safeguard for state pension increases each April based on the higher of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5%. The commitment meets a key demand of our Standing by Pensioners manifesto, launched in the House of Commons in November 2023 with our partners in Later Life Ambitions (LLA).

The triple-lock delivered last year’s 10.1% pension increase, based on CPI inflation, and the 8.5% increase this April, based on average earnings growth.

Deputy general secretary

benefit fraud”, despite opposition from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

In a Lords debate in April on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill currently going through parliament, several peers expressed concerns over government amendments to the Bill that would allow the Department for Work and Pensions to obtain information on the bank accounts of people receiving benefit payments by requiring financial institutions to monitor customers’ accounts, including those receiving the state pension.

Lord Sikka (Labour) spoke about the state pension being classed as a benefit, despite being taxable. He also questioned the use of state pension fraud to justify monitoring bank accounts. This penalised the rest of pensioners, who have never committed any fraud.

DWP secretary Viscount Younger of Leckie said that to restrict the power to cases where the DWP already has a suspicion of fraud would defeat the purpose of this measure. The intent was to enable the government to use data from third parties to independently check benefit eligibility rules are complied with.

Pension-age benefits are not immune from fraud and error, he said, and it is the government’s duty to ensure these benefits are paid in line with the rules.

The CSPA maintains that surveillance of pensioners’ bank accounts is not justified

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The surveillance of pensioners’ bank accounts is not justified on grounds of suspected fraud or any other grounds.

The state pension is a universal benefit, payable from the age of 66 without means-testing anyone who has paid sufficient National Insurance contributions. How can it be justified to tackle suspected fraud?

We are lobbying MPs and peers, alongside our LLA partners, and working with our advisers at Connect to provide briefings for MPs and peers on amendments to try and defeat this aspect of the Bill before the summer recess in July… when MPs themselves go on their summer holidays.

Digital exclusion In the meantime, we are continuing to engage with the government on other issues that matter to our members, including digital exclusion and the scourge of car parking apps.

In April, General Secretary Sally Tsoukaris and I met local government minister Simon Hoare to talk about

local authority funding and its impact on local services, particularly social care (see General Secretary, page 8).

I took the opportunity to raise with Mr Hoare the problem of digital exclusion and the need to ensure that traditional ways of accessing help with council services are still available, such as speaking to someone on the phone.

The minister highlighted his own frustration with parking in his North Dorset constituency and the requirement to have a smartphone to download an app. He pointed to a council initiative in North Dorset, where the library hires out iPads for those without access to the internet and has a team of volunteers to show people how to use them, so that these people are not left socially isolated.

Enjoy your summer As we come into summer, there will still be a lot for the CSPA to do to influence politicians on the policies decided by members at October’s AGM. It will be an interesting summer run-up to an autumn general election. Meanwhile, in the words of Mungo Jerry’: “When the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.”

Enjoy it while it lasts!

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Conference report

Do the right P

oor communications about pensions policies and people’s financial entitlements at retirement was a recurring theme at the TUC’s annual pensions conference.

The conference was, coincidentally, held the week before publication of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s decision on the longrunning WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) case, which argued that women were not properly informed of the rise in state pension age from 60 to 66 to bring them into line with men.

The Ombudsman agreed with WASPI and ordered the government to “do the right thing” and pay them compensation – see https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/ publications.

Evidence that state pension provision is unfair to many – including women and people with disabilities and from ethnic minorities – was given by several speakers, as well as attendees themselves.

Keynote speaker Liz Kendall, shadow work and pensions secretary, pledged that a pensions and savings review by a Labour government (announced by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in January) would cover state and private pensions as well as pension fund investments. This was warmly welcomed.

Kendall said the review was “absolutely vital” as two decades after the Pensions Commission was launched – “when the coalition government introduced Labour’s policy of auto-enrolment” – progress had stalled. “Financial security in retirement is at the heart of our future plans,” she added.

The review will also look at barriers to UK pension funds investing more in the UK – an issue touched on in later sessions, including the final one about the role of pensions in infrastructure investment.

Commenting on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent Budget, Kendall said that it

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had left eight million pensioners £1,000 a year less well off. And the £46 billion plan to scrap National Insurance contributions begged the question: how would pensions be paid for?

TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell told delegates in her welcome speech that the TUC would support Labour’s pensions and savings review, and also the idea of a new Pensions Commission.

The TUC had five priorities for any incoming government, she said: • Tackle under-saving by getting more low-paid workers into work-placed pensions and raising employers’ contributions

The TUC will support the idea of a new Pensions Commission • Address “shocking levels of inequality that mean women’s pensions... are 40% lower than men’s and that black and minority ethnic and disabled workers face alarming pension gaps” • Keep going with the triple-lock • Increase the state pension – “the main source of income for most pensioners” • Reverse and re-open defined benefit schemes.

Role of the state pension Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, which has joined Unite and the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum in the 68 Is Too Late campaign, chaired the session. She said the NPC had been calling on the government for some years for “a national debate” on pensions.

Caren Evans, national officer of Unite, said the union had carried out a survey among 10,000 members across different sectors, including health and construction,

asking if people thought they could work until they were 68, and if not, why not.

In response, many said they didn’t believe they would be able to work past 66, for physical or mental health reasons.

Chris Brooks, head of policy at Age UK, confirmed: “State pension age has a bad impact on people on low incomes.

We need to look at how we can mitigate the impact on people who are struggling to keep working, particularly those in disadvantaged groups who can’t work.”

He warned: “‘Pensioner poverty is not going away.” It still affects two million pensioners, particularly groups such as people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, single older women and those renting their home.

His personal view was: “We need a national debate about the role of the state pension, how it sits alongside the wider retirement income system, how it works with private pensions and means-tested universal benefits and other forms of income and what value it should be set at.”

Brooks added: “It feels like there’s been a lack of direction. We don’t really know where we’re heading. There’s a lot of debate needed to help us move forward.”

Even the triple-lock will fall short of the minimum retirement income living standard of £14,000 for single people and £22,000 for couples, he said.

Brooks added it was “tragic” that about a third of eligible claimants do not take up pension credit (around 800,000 people) for various reasons – they don’t know about it, it’s too complicated or they are ashamed to apply. A review was needed on how people accessed pension credit.

Sasjkia Otto, senior researcher at the Fabian Society, said the thinktank would soon be publishing a report on its research among older workers. “Older workers are often last in line when it comes to support – which is already in short supply – such as occupational health,” she said.

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Conference report

thing!

Not enough employers are investing in hiring and retaining older workers, and many older workers are being pushed into jobs for which they are unsuitable or that make them ill, Otto continued.

The report will call for a broader package of social support to give security for people of all ages and a “rethink” for over-60s. “Some people are going to need access to pension-level benefits before they reach state pension age,” said Otto.

One delegate, who said she lived alone, asked why she was only entitled to a 25% council tax discount and not 50% on the tax paid by a couple. This was “unfair”, and she suggested it could be campaigned on to make older single pensioners’ lives a little easier.

Auto-enrolment: next steps Patrick Thomson, head of research analysis and policy at Phoenix Insights, said auto-enrolment (AE) reforms had made millions more savers, but 17 million adults in the UK weren’t saving enough for the retirement they expected.

Four groups of defined contributions (DC) savers were of particular concern: • The financially struggling – 4.6 million people (15% of DC savers) expect a retirement income less than the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) minimum living standard; and to rent in retirement • The undersavers – 12.4 million people (40% of DC savers) expect at least the PLSA minimum but aren’t on track to meet their retirement expectations; on middle incomes; current renters who plan to buy before retirement • The downgraders – 3.7 million people (12% of DC savers) expect at least the PLSA minimum and look on track to achieve what they expect, though that won’t be enough to maintain their preretirement standard of living; mostly middle/higher earners; homeowners

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Jenny Sims reports back from the TUC conference Pensions Under the Next Government, held in London on 13 March

• The unsure – 5.8 million people (19% of DC savers) don’t or can’t give an expected retirement income if asked; disproportionally those aged 45-54; expecting to rent in retirement.

As Thomson warned: “Only 14% are happily on track.”

A framework for how and when to increase default workplace contributions was needed, delegates heard. An annual government assessment of whether AE savings levels were achieving decent retirement outcomes was also called for – and if falling short, could contributions be raised?

Tim Pike, head of modelling at the Pensions Policy Institute, said: “Although we have an infinitely more straightforward state pension system, we now have a considerably more complex private pension system under which the concept of a pension has been replaced by a savings pot. Providing practical solutions to help people manage complexity will be crucial to retirement outcomes in future.”

During workshop discussions and the conference’s main sessions, speakers and attendees agreed it was often difficult for people to get clear and detailed information about

their pension savings and entitlements at retirement, particularly if they had had several jobs and contributed to different pension pots. A review was needed.

The conference ended with a discussion on the role of pensions schemes in infrastructure investment. Sir John Armitt CBE, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, made the case for companies (the risk takers) to invest globally wherever they found the best opportunities.

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Membership

Helpdesk Some handy pointers on reviving a sluggish PC Is your trusty computer showing signs of ageing, slowing down as the years pass by? If you’ve been relying on the same machine for more than four years, it’s not uncommon to experience performance issues. Whether it’s struggling with hardware limitations or bogged down by software clutter, the slowdown is an inevitable part of a computer’s lifecycle.

But not to worry: we’re here to equip you with strategies to extend your PC’s lifespan and restore its efficiency.

Signs of decline • Storage congestion: Over time, your computer’s storage becomes crowded with files, including photos, videos and accumulated software installations.

This can impede the system’s ability to locate files swiftly, leading to sluggish performance. Additionally, a cluttered storage space may necessitate frequent updates and contribute to longer startup times due to the large number of applications trying to load.

• Malware intrusion: While exploring the internet, you may unwittingly stumble on suspicious links or websites harbouring malicious software. These can wreak havoc on your system, causing significant performance degradation. Implementing robust antivirus software and exercising caution while browsing can fortify your PC’s defences against such cyber threats.

• Dust deposits: Inside every computer lurks the silent menace of dust. Over time, dust particles settle on internal components, impeding airflow and the cooling system’s efficiency. Consequently, the system may succumb to overheating, resulting in reduced speed and frequent system crashes. However, this menace can be easily thwarted with a simple cleaning regimen using compressed air or a soft microfiber cloth.

• RAM overload: A common culprit behind sluggish performance is the depletion of random access memory (RAM) caused by an excessive number of open browser tabs. RAM acts as temporary storage for active programs and data, enabling quick access and multitasking. When inundated with tabs, your system’s RAM becomes strained, leading to decreased responsiveness. To alleviate this, close unnecessary tabs on your browser or any unused programs to free up memory.

• Outdated hardware: In an era of rapidly advancing technology, older hardware may struggle to meet the demands of modern applications. As software evolves, it requires greater processing power and efficiency, so ageing hardware may be ill equipped to keep pace. Consequently, system performance may suffer, causing prolonged loading times and reduced responsiveness. In such cases, upgrading to a newer system may be the most viable solution.

Responsible disposal When the time comes to bid farewell to your faithful companion, it’s imperative to handle its retirement carefully and responsibly. Proper disposal of electronic waste not only safeguards

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Free computer support To contact BC Technologies for free advice and support, telephone 0330 800 1010, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or email cspa@bc-group.co.uk at any time.

Please quote ‘CSPA’ when contacting BC Technologies to assist them in dealing with your query.

the environment but also protects your sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. Before parting ways with your old computer, take the following steps: • Back up essential data: Safeguard your memories and important documents by backing up all essential data to an external storage device or cloud service.

• Erase hard drive: Ensure the complete eradication of sensitive information from the hard drive by performing a data wipe.

Numerous software utilities are available for this purpose, ensuring that no trace of your personal data remains.

• Recycling initiatives: Explore recycling options provided by your local retailers or electronic waste recycling centres. Many retailers offer recycling programmes, facilitating the safe disposal and recycling of old electronics.

• Secure disposal: In cases where recycling options are limited, ensure the secure disposal of your old hard drive by physically damaging it. Employing methods such as driving a nail through the drive or using specialised shredding services guarantees irreparable destruction of the data-containing components.

• Environmental responsibility: Exercise environmental stewardship by opting for eco-friendly disposal methods that minimise harm to the environment. By recycling electronic waste responsibly, you contribute to the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of hazardous materials in landfills.

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Volunteering

Securing the future Many CSPA groups struggle because of a lack of volunteers. David Foster explains how a life-changing journey led him to become treasurer of the Bournemouth & District Group “

T

here’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Within minutes of arriving at the CSPA’s 70th anniversary event at the House of Commons in November 2022, Deputy General Secretary David Luxton buttonholed me and introduced me to Peter Spain from the Cabinet Office. Peter is Head of Pensions Policy and Technical, Civil Service and Royal Mail Pensions, at the Cabinet Office.

Over the previous couple of years, I’d been keeping David up to speed with my efforts to correct an obscure anomaly in the rules governing survivors’ pensions.

We’d never met, but David remembered my emails and knew that Peter had his finger on the pulse. Peter was likeable, friendly, and listened to my story with interest. We exchanged email addresses and, good as his word, he looked into the details and got back to me.

Yet the story really began eight years earlier. I’d been widowed in 2014, and met my present partner Chun, also widowed, later the following year. Our first date was pretty much love at first sight, and before long it was clear we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Early in 2018, I sold my house and moved in with her.

That summer, the Supreme Court paved the way for opposite-sex couples to register as civil partners. This was perfect timing, as we both disliked the idea of a ‘second marriage’.

But would partnership bring the financial security we needed?

Chun and David

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A handy table on the government website compared various aspects of marriage and civil partnership. It reassured us a civil servant’s surviving female civil partner would receive a ‘widow’s pension’ based on accruals from April 1978. This was crucial.

As Chun is five years younger than me, the survivor’s element of my civil service pension will be a lifeline for her if I die first.

It’s given me a new interest since taking over as the group’s treasurer But Civil Service Pensions (CSP) told us surviving civil partners’ pensions are only based on service from April 1988 – a loss of 10 years’ entitlement.

I recalled an exchange between Jim Hacker and his permanent secretary in an old episode of Yes, Minister. “Not government policy, minister…” Sir Humphrey assured his boss.

“Merely government practice.”

It was time to involve my MP, Tobias Ellwood.

Four months later Tobias forwarded an email

from CSP confirming they would be amending the Classic scheme to comply with the government’s policy.

The changes would be backdated to the introduction of same-sex civil partnerships.

This was great news and, after several delays due to Covid-19 restrictions, Chun and I registered our civil partnership in April 2021.

At the end of that year, I followed up with Tobias Ellwood and was assured Parliament would consider the amendments before the 2022 summer recess. Alas, that didn’t happen.

CSPA group meeting Meanwhile, a chance email from the CSPA’s Bournemouth & District Group led me to attend a Wessex Regional Group meeting, where I hoped to keep abreast of any updates.

I enjoyed the experience, and went to some of the group’s regular monthly meetings – a varied range of interesting talks at an attractive modern venue. But there was a cloud on the horizon; the group’s future was in jeopardy without someone to replace the retiring treasurer.

As the former treasurer of a professional guild, I offered to help. And so, after years of ‘armchair’ membership, I’m now actively involved in the local team. It’s given me a new interest and, since taking over as treasurer, I’ve been privileged to represent the group at the CSPA’s 70th anniversary in Westminster, and the 2023 AGM in Kenilworth.

And those pension scheme changes?

Peter Spain has kindly kept in touch and anticipates the amendments should be implemented in the near future.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Office has told CSP to anticipate the change – so that surviving opposite-sex civil partners receive the extra 10 years’ pension entitlement enjoyed by widows.

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Last word

Something else that annoys me…

What’s my health got to do with anything, asks Chris Proctor. Or my age, come to that

I

don’t like people asking me how I am. For one thing, I can’t help lying.

The other day I had a stinking cold, I had aches in bits of me I’d never noticed before and my head was banging like a military tattoo. Then our neighbour Patsy showed up and asked how I was.

“Top form,” I told her.

Lord knows why I do this. It just seems rude to foist symptoms onto innocent bystanders. If they’d wanted to be miserable they could have stayed home.

It is a relief to discover that I am not alone in this habit.

My brother Michael told me recently that his local healthcare wallahs arrange an annual visit from a person who checks how his memory is going. He assures me that his memory is actually going, but he’s not going to tell them that.

Instead, he’s joined a group of similarly aged folk with the aim of combatting these enquiries. They have discerned that the preventative medics always follow a similar path as they do their rounds: and that they ask the same questions.

Happily, they do this in alphabetical order, so by the time they get to P, he has all the questions in advance. The session goes something like this: “What is the name of …” “Sunak” “… the Prime Minister?”

“What is your …” “84.” “… current age?”

One day, he says, his group will confound medical researchers with incontrovertible evidence that memory loss is more prevalent in people with surnames from A to D than any other group (because they are still guessing).

Anyone after G (having rehearsed the answers) emerges a master of instant

recall. Michael is very pleased with this.

And he’s not alone. My partner Amanda was recently summoned to her GP for a number of regular tests, one checking her blood pressure. This is a DIY job in her surgery: you poke your arm into a machine, switch it on and wait for a printout. Amanda had arrived at this stage when she noticed Patsy the nurse peering over her shoulder examining the printoff.

“That’s too high,” she declared. “Give it another go.” The second attempt was too low for Patsy’s liking, but the third came in normal. “Give them that one,” Patsy advised.

Edie, who lives along our corridor with a bad leg and a bald budgie, habitually lies to political canvassers. A Labour stalwart, she assures Tory canvassers she remains a Truss enthusiast, and always has a series of policy questions to keep them occupied on her doorstep for up to half an hour on the basis that then they won’t be bothering anyone else.

And for the car. She says if she tells the Tories she’ll vote for them, they send a motor to take her to the polling station.

And their cars are vastly superior to those offered by her own party.

While I didn’t mind being asked

It just seems rude to foist symptoms onto innocent bystanders. If they’d wanted to be miserable they could have stayed home 16

how I was when younger, it now seems offensive. It’s as if they expect me to be ill on account of my grey hair. It’s unjust.

Grey hair doesn’t make you ill.

And why do people constantly ask my age? I went to a club to buy advance tickets for a jazz band last month and it turned into the Spanish Inquisition.

The box-office person printed them off (I could see them, two inches from my hand, the other side of a glass partition, my other hand on banknotes.) First he wouldn’t take cash, then he wanted my email, address and date of birth.

I pointed out I was buying a ticket, not applying for an immigration visa. Just give it to me. He wouldn’t. He needed my email so he could send me a receipt, and my age for marketing purposes.

I said I didn’t want a receipt, I didn’t want to work for a market research firm, and I was in a hurry. These arguments were spurned, but on the positive side he was prepared to accept my claim to be Rev Sinclair O’Hara, home postcode SW1A 1AA, demurring only at my insistence that I was 33. (I was forced to retract all this later as my credit card didn’t match my address.) Mind you, if Patsy, my brother and me are typical in our reluctance to offer correct information, it explains why opinion polls are so unreliable. Which is, incidentally, another thing that annoys me.

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