Keeping You Abreast of NARPO Developments

WRITE TO YOUR MP TO URGE THEM TO SUPPORT AN EARLY DAY MOTION ABOUT THE CHANGE TO CPI
EDM 1032 has now been laid and is couched in terms designed to secure maximum cross-party support.
You will see that it does not go as far as supporting the retention of RPI but asks for a proper evaluation before any changes are made. It will not preclude us from continuing our campaign for retention of RPI.
Indeed, it will provide us with another avenue for arguing our case. Therefore, we urge all members to contact their MPs to ask them to add their signatures to EDM 1032.Please see the NARPO website www.narpo.org and please, please, print off a copy of the letter concerning "Early Day Motion 1032" which is about the proposed change in Police Pensions from RPI to CPI, and send it properly completed to your MP. I have checked that "outwith" is a proper word so you only need to complete your details and the MP's details prior to sending the letter to him.

I can't stress enough how important it is for you to send the letter because the effect of the change from RPI to CPI will cost you a lot of money over the years. It doesn't just affect police pensions but other pensions and benefits that you or your family may be getting, so prepare letters for them to sign as well.
It is our one chance to do something that may protect our pensions and those of others so PLEASE ACT NOW.
With best wishes
Barry E Evans MBE




INFLATION FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER ANNOUNCED

The latest inflation figures have just been released and the CPI stands at 3.1% whilst the RPI stands at 4.6% for September. As you will know the September inflation figure determines the increase to police pensions in April the following year.
This Government have in their budget indicated that public sector pensions will rise by the CPI and not the RPI from April next year and whilst NARPO is actively campaigning against this move, together with other pensioner groups, the indication at present is that police pensions will rise by the CPI in April next year.
To see the figures and background information use the link below to the Office of National Statistics.ONS Website
NARPO INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE HUTTON COMMISSION
Following the release of the terms of reference for the Hutton Commission NARPO have taken the opportunity to supply an initial response to the Commission. To view the response use the link below.
NARPO REsPONSE
THE BUDGET AND PENSION INCREASES
Following the Emergency Budget delivered by the Chancellor it would appear that this Governernment are seeking to change the up-rating of Police Pensions from the Retail Price Index to the Consumer Price Index from April 2011. Use the links below for further information. ( Due to transcript error, plesse use your internet direct to raise the following topics - if you wish to follow this through).

BUDGET AND PENSION INCREASES
DWP STATEMENT ON INDEXATION CHANGES
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RPI AND CPI


POLICE PENSION AND INDEX LINKING
Police Pensions are currently Index Linked from age 55yrs and are increased in line with the Retail Price Index. Pensions are uprated each April and the level of increase is determined by RPI in September of the preceding year.
For details of the increases applied see below:
Index Linking
CAMPAIGN FOR FAIRNESS IN STATE PENSION OVERSEAS
INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM of BRITISH PENSIONERS
Many of you may know pensioners from the UK, who emigrate have their State Pension entitlement frozen in most countries outside the EU.

The International Consortium of British Pensioners is fighting for fairness for all British pensioners, who choose to live abroad, seeking that their pensions be index linked. Currently they are interested in the attitudes of British pensioners still living in the UK. The first link below gives more details on this topic. The second is a survey, which you are invited to complete. This will assist the Consortium to gather further evidence in this campaign.

We would be grateful if as many of you who fit the criteria could complete the survey. Click on the links below for the survey and further inbformation.

SURVEY


CAMPAIGN WEBSITE

REDUCTION OF POLICE PENSION UPON RECEIPT OF STATE PENSION

We are often asked why the Police Pension reduces when a member starts receiving their State Pension.
Please use the link below to view the explanation.

MODIFICATION OF POLICE PENSIONS
COMMUTATION FACTORS
On 17th March 2009, the High Court announced its decision on the question of the Judicial Review taken by the Police Federation in respect of the commencement date of the new commutation factors in favour of the Police Federation.
The Home Secretary had 14 days in which to appeal this decision. No appeal was made and the new factors were introduced and backdated effective as from 1st December 2006.
To view the full High Court decision use the link below:
Full High Court Decision


PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS OVERPAYMENT
Recent questions in the House of Commons and attendant publicity has highlighted an issue of overpayment of pensions to retired public sector employees including those in the police scheme.
This is a complicated issue.
In essence, the problem has to do with the Guaranteed Minimum Pension, its calculation, index linking and impact on the individual's Police Pension index linking.
Guaranteed Minimum Pensions were provided by public service pension schemes between 1978 and 1997. The problem will not affect any pensioner unless he or she is over State Pension age with service in this period and for whom the force have no record of a GMP.
It is estimated that between 1220 and 1830 (1% - 1.5%) police pensioners in England and Wales may be affected by this miscalculation. No overpayments are to be recovered but an adjustment will be made to the pensions of those affected in April 2009.
For those who require more details of the problem and its likely impact we have added a link to the relevant Home Office advice to forces: Home Office Circular 31/2008
To view the National Audit Office Report on errors in the Guaranteed Minimum Pension please use this link NAO report


Overseas Pension and Guaranteed Minimum Income
There has been considerable discussion recently about the question of Guaranteed Minimum Pension and its relationship with the Police Pension. as part of the fall out from the 'overpayment' of pensions recently reported in NARPO News we have been in discussion with colleagues in the Public Service Pensioners' Council. We have been made aware that some public sector pensioners, who retired to countries where the UK state pension is not index linked, have not been receiving the Guaranteed Minimum Pension increases to which they are entitled.
We must make it clear that this situation is only applicable to those in excess of state pension age living in those mostly former Commonwealth countries where the UK state pension is frozen and who have service between April 1978 and April 1997.
If you think this may apply to you use the model letter below:
Formatted Letter





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