General Chat

Do any Organisations still practise this age-old custom?

I recently received my P60 Pension Pay Advice form from my UK Pension Fund.

On the back of the form there is printed some 'Useful Information'

Regarding a recent audit carried out to see if members were still entitled to receive their pension was this little gem...…"This exercise also identified many cases where members had moved or passed away but failed to inform us....."

It's the first time in ages that I've had a good belly laugh at an official document

Dear Pension Fund, I'm so sorry for not informing you that I had passed away; I was enjoying being dead so much that I simply forgot!



:-D :-D :-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Kath. x

I think they should have to scour the obituary columns to see if we're dead!
Apparently, 1950's women were 'told' about the rise in pension age in a newspaper, a radio programme and a TV show.
So if you didn't watch or listen to the right media it was your fault.
The Times also had a small article on the front page, which said the pension age would rise IN 2020 - not BY 2020.

Strikes me, if 'we' have to make the effort to personally inform them, they should have personally informed us at the earliest, not (as in my case) 17 years later, when my pension age rose from 65 (which they didn't personally advise me about) to 66!

Maggie, as discussed many times on these threads, many organisations, including those of the State and Federal (in Australia) Governments now 'advise you that you can access Departmental Information by simply downloading an 'App' to your smartphone.

Similarly, payments may be made in the same manner!

I don't have a smartphone, in fact mine's pretty thick ;-)

Also, I hate the feeling of being pressured to buy such a thing simply because the word 'communication' has lost its original, wider, meaning and the current definition focusses on electronic communication :-| :-|

Smart phones didn't really exist in the 1990's, so we should have got a letter!

I have dopey phone. I dropped it once too often the other day, and ended up with a blank screen.
I charged it - still a blank screen, so I pressed the buttons with the palm of my hand - and it woke up! :-D
My phone just calls and texts.
My manager sends emails, unfortunately, quite often to my 'home' address by accident, assuming I have a smart phone. I see them when I get home, and discuss this apparently 'urgent' topic the next day :-D

I also wear a watch, and can tell the time at the flick of my wrist - with both hands free!

:-D :-D :-D

The many changes to pensions ( for both men and women ) were widely discussed in the media , both TV, magzines and newspapers. They were also the subject of much debate in parliament.

It has never been (and never will be) UKGovt practice to send out individual notices to firms or individuals affected in any way by changes to the law. People are supposed to keep up. It has always been possible to request a pension statement and forecast from the DWP but the claimant has to take the initiative.

How on earth one could have avoided the never ending debate at the time the pensions changes were made I have no idea. Looking for the news on an old cellphone maybe.

To answer the title of the thread yes Allan they do, one of my friends still proofreads for a living believe it or not :-) Maybe she should contact the UK Pension Fund.

Apparently, grammar & spelling are regaining their rightful place in some schools.

As foreigners we have to have a form
signed and stamped by the local town hall to say we are
still alive !!!!!!
Ann

I received a letter informing me that if I chose to change my NI contributions to the 'married woman's' rate in future I would not receive a list of benefits which full contributions afforded me.

From memory this was in 1978/9 when I was self employed so not applicable. No idea why other married women didn't receive notification.

When I was employed again in 1983 I paid full NI plus SERPS.

Re the OP my Father was a proof reader for the Daily Express and one of my brothers the same for the Financial Times. Boy was I careful with my homework
;-)

RTR if 'it has never been Government policy to send out individual notices' can you explain why I was sent one in 2012?

Also, Governments spout off about many things that don't become law, and the media report this spouting.

At the time, I didn't buy newspapers, and rarely watched TV. Is it my fault I was bringing up two small children and didn't watch the 'relevant' programmes?

As for your crass and irrelevant comment about the cellphone - oh what a wag you are.

are they not called Copy Editors? these days?

as a Riposte' to Allan;s OP...

Lyrics
Lately there's nothing but trouble, grief and strife
There's not much attraction about this bloomin' life
Last night I dreamt I was bloomin' well dead
As I went to the funeral, I bloomin' well said,
Look at the flowers, bloomin' great orchids
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
And look at the corfin, bloomin' great 'andles
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
I was so 'appy to think that I'd popped off
I said to a bloke with a nasty, 'acking cough
Look at the black 'earse, bloomin' great 'orses
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!

Look at the bearers, all in their frock coats
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
And look at their top 'ats, polished with Guinness
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
Some people there were praying for me soul
I said, "It's the first time I've been off the dole"
Look at the mourners, bloomin' well sozzled
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
Look at the children, bloomin' excited
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!

Look at the neighbours, bloomin' delighted
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
"Spend the insurance", I murmered, "For alack,
You know I shan't be with you going back"
Look at the Missus, bloomin' well laughing
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
Look at me Sister, bloomin new 'at on
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!

And look at me Brother, bloomin' cigar on
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!
We come from clay and we all go back they say
Don't 'eave a brick it may be your Aunty May
Look at me Grandma, bloomin' great haybag
Ain't it grand, to be bloomin' well dead!


Songwriters: Leslie Sarony
Ain't It Grand to Be Bloomin' Well Dead lyrics © S.I.A.E. Direzione Generale, Campbell Connelly And Co. Ltd.

:-D :-D :-D Good one, Bob.

Along similar lines, my local Fraternal organisation is looking at holding a 'Rose' ceremony as happens in other parts.

Someone who has been a hard worker for the Craft is nominated annually for this award which is presented at a dinner for members, family and friends.

The origin? Someone once commented that it is better to give a living person one rose in his lifetime, than a dozen on his coffin after his death :-)

:-D :-D :-D

Next weekend is our family get together and picnic at the Sustainability Centre in East Meon.
My brother in law is buried there, a few of mum's ashes are scattered here, and my ex (best mate of my late brother in law) held his third wedding here! :-D
Oh, and me and my siblings were invited - and attended!

Back to proof reading - it was the Alresford Music festival last week.
There were posters advertising it.
They said 'Alresford Music Festival, 2010 - 2019, 10th anniversary'.
I thought 2010 the 2019 was 9 years, but then, what do I know?....

Not if you start the count from 2010, Maggie :-D

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

Ah, the mystery of numbers! It still looks strange, though.
This is why I like words.
:-S

:-D :-D :-D