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FORCES PENSION SOCIETY
Fighting for the Forces and Their Families
E-NEWSLETTER No 8 of 2011
Dear Members
Presentation Problems
We believe we may have a resolution to the conundrum of some of you still being unable to receive the e-newsletter in an easily readable format. We understand the problem only affects those reading it via web-based email, and not the majority on Outlook or Thunderbird for example. We are looking into funding the design of a template which, we believe, will solve the problem. Please be patient and watch this space a little longer.
Health Insurance
Any of you with private health insurance really should compare your premium and cover with our FPS scheme. There is a good chance we could offer a better deal for many of you. Just call Peter Allen on 07785 575 145, or , or look at For example we are much cheaper than the BUPA Armed Forces scheme, or the Saga scheme in year 2 onwards, and more secure than the Beneden discretionary plan. Have a chat to Peter: he will only suggest you consider moving to our scheme if it is manifestly a better deal for you.
International Money Transfers
However large or small the amount, Moneycorp can get the best exchange rates on your international money transfers, whether you’re transferring a pension, moving overseas, making overseas mortgage payments or buying or selling a property abroad. Since 2009, Moneycorp has helped hundreds of FPS members save money. You won’t pay commission or transfer fees, and they have been dealing in foreign exchange since 1979, so you know your money is in safe hands. See or call +44 (0)20 7589 3000.
New Armed Forces Pension Scheme - SITREP
Work will not begin in earnest on the new pension scheme until the Government has tasked the MOD to construct the new scheme. In that instruction will be the terms of reference to which the team responsible for putting together the scheme will have to abide. What is encouraging is the thoughtful appointment of the Team Leader - Group Captain Ian Pollitt. Ian was part of Lord Hutton's Commission that produced the report leading up to the potential changes in public sector pension schemes; this means he has the best background knowledge behind the thinking of the Commission leading up to its conclusions, and has already had contact with many of the external authorities with whom he is going to have to deal over the next four or five years, to achieve the best possible outcome for all concerned. Therefore it is most unlikely that there are going to be any meaningful developments to report until at least the beginning of the New Year. Watch this space.
Ladies First – Fire on the Upward Roll
Bravo Zulu to Lieutenant Commander (soon to be Commander) Sarah West RN on her appointment to be the next Commanding Officer of HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate. Sarah, who has degrees in both Maths and Law, is the first woman ever to command a major front line fleet unit. She is presently CO of the mine hunter HMS Shoreham.
Ladies Last – The Mouse who Roared
Farewell to Nancy Grace Augusta Wake AC,GM, otherwise known as The White Mouse: the New Zealand born, Australian raised, former member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and wartime SOE agent in occupied France. A Companion of the Order of Australia and George Medal holder, she also held the Croix de Guerre (with two palms), Medaille de la Resistance, US Congressional Medal of Freedom and Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association Gold Badge; and was a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. Her medals are displayed in the Australian War Memorial Museum in Canberra. She died on 7 August aged 98; the most highly decorated allied Servicewoman of the war; a lady of awe inspiring courage and a true warrior in the cause of freedom. May she rest in peace.
Repatriation
As I’m sure you all know, the repatriation of Service men and women killed on operations was relocated to RAF Brize Norton on 1 September following the closure of RAF Lyneham. The moving tributes, paid by the people of Royal Wooton Basset since 2007, will be long remembered for the dignity, pride, honour and affection given to those who lost their lives in the cause of freedom, as well as the kindly support given to the bereft who mourn.
Veterans’ ID Card (Cyprus)
CBF Cyprus has received MOD approval to issue a British Forces Cyprus Veterans’ Installation Pass. Each of the Cyprus base security staffs is developing the process with a view to issuing ID Cards from September. Meanwhile details of where those entitled will be allowed to visit and shop etc within each of the bases is still being developed. This is a great move and BZ to CBF Cyprus. Now why can’t it be rolled out throughout the UK?
Medics’ Rugby Challenge
Tues 8 Nov at Plymouth Albion RFC, Madden Rd, Plymouth PL1 4NE. The Peninsula Medical School Vs the Royal Marines and a great opportunity to meet friends and colleagues while supporting a good cause. Even if you cannot get there please consider making a donation via sending something for the auction, sponsoring a player or placing an advert’ in the programme. Last year they raised £18000 to support injured Service men and women. Spread the word.
Royal Canadian Navy / Canadian Army / Royal Canadian Air Force
Bravo Zulu Canada. Canada has restored the traditional names of her Armed Forces after dropping the titles in 1968 (although many of us never acknowledged that unfortunate change). Defence Minister the Honourable Peter MacKay re-established the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Canadian Army (CA) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at a ceremony on 16 Aug at HMC Dockyard in Halifax. An auspicious date because it was on 16 Aug 1911 that King George V awarded the Royal prefix to the RCN. MrMacKay said “The move rights an historic wrong.Our government believes that an important element of Canadian military heritage was lost when the Services were required to relinquish their historic titles. Restoring these identities is a way of reconnecting today’s men and women in uniform with the proud history and traditions they carry as members of the Canadian Armed Forces. A country forgets its past at its own peril.” BZ Minister – and a few people in Westminster and Whitehall would do well to mark your final words.
The Light at the End
On 27 July Britain’s longest road tunnel on land was opened (1.25 gently curving miles). The £371M project began in 1983, got the go-ahead in 2001 and digging started in 2007. At long last the infamous Hindhead traffic lights near Guildford are bypassed and the journey between London and the South Coast has reduced by 30 minutes or so for 36,000 vehicles a day. It also looks very good and blends in well. Meanwhile the old road is being removed and the Devil’s Punchbowl (see Google) returned to nature. Seven Dormouse crossings are incorporated in the build and there was a month’s delay in construction when a Wagtail nested on site. 200,000 trees have been planted, perhaps to conceal 856 new road signs.
Disabled Person’s Railcard
If you are registered deaf or wear a hearing aid, you should be eligible for a Disabled Person's Railcard. The advantages over a Senior Railcard are that it is cheaper and you can take a companion who gets 1/3 discount too. If your hearing was shot to bits by a 4.5” broadside or a Sergeant Major murmuring sweetly in your ear or a few sorties in a Shakleton this is for you. See
Digital Pennant
Just a reminder that all those who would prefer an e-copy of Pennant (rather than a hard copy) let us know by e-mailing and you will get an email (twice a year) when the next edition is ready for you to view.Meanwhile you can view the current issue by visiting the Members’ Area on the website and clicking on Digital Pennant.
GPS Reminder
Never put your home address or post code into your GPS. Your car gets nicked, the rascal presses ‘Go Home’, and by the time you get back via the bus and Shank’s pony the house has been cleared. Put the local post office (if there is one still) or pub as your ‘go home’ detail instead: chances are you’ll know your way once you get there.
Mobile Phone Reminder
Never put an indication of close relationship in your mobile contact list (like ‘Hubby, Mother, etc). Phone gets nicked; footpad notes hubby’s telephone number and your identify is now under threat with all the risk that can bring.”Hello, Vicar here, I’m calling on behalf of your dear wife who asks if you can leave a key under the mat ….” Yes yes; I know I know – but you get the drift. Using the ICE system (see earlier e-newsletters) does not prejudice this.
Credit & Debit Card Receipts
At the end of the month you have lots of these in your bag/wallet. Once checked with your bank statements do not simply chuck them in the bin. Identity thieves love that, because an envelope with your name and address may not be far away (or will it?). Burn them in an old tin bucket – it takes seconds.
Austin Reed
Just a reminder that, on proof of identity, all serving and retired members of the Armed Forces can get a 20% discount at Austin Reed.
Chopper by Appointment
By the time you read this is it will probably be too late to apply, but the Daily Telegraph on 11 Aug reported that The Queen is looking for a helicopter pilot with VVIP experience, to fly her Sikorsky S76 in return for £80,000. With redundancy and all that I can imagine a bit of a queue formed in the Mall.
For The Pilot Who Has Everything
Boultbee Academy in Oxford is offering a two day course, for £5400, on how to dog-fight in a Spitfire. Included are a 1 hour session in a Tiger Moth and 40 minutes in a Harvard before moving on to 30 mins in the TR9 two-seater Spitfire. Spitfires for the new carriers maybe??
Military Rallying
The Armed Forces Rally Team (AFRT) is entering up to 6 ex-military Land Rover 90s in Rally Reykjavik and various British Rally Championship events throughout the year The Colchester Military Rally Team will be running an Austin Mini into Rally Sprints and other similar events in the East Anglia area. Both the above teams are seeking military (or civilian) volunteers to join (particularly as service crew/support crew). For info email Ft Lt John Clayton .
Seafarers’ Awareness Week
6-12 June was Seafarers’ Awareness Week. In a survey, carried out by the charity Seafarers UK of 7-14 year olds, it transpired that 25% thought Captain Jack Sparrow was our most famous sailor, 19% thought a quail was a fish, 42% did not know what a halibut is and 20% were presumably ardent followers of the first Queen Mary in thinking Calais was a port in England. So: you decide dear Members – does sea blindness matter?
RAF Dinner Club
The date for the dinner mentioned in the last e-newsletter is Thursday 9 Feb 2012. All wishing to attend should contact Squadron Leader Simon Barton on 0306 798 1074 or . Please get in touch to make it a memorable event.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Just to emphasise (see last e-newsletter) that if you register a power of attorney the named person does not have to make any decision on your behalfif you still can; they only step in when you can't act for yourself.Also: I said banks will freeze joint accounts in event of incapacity unless an LPA is in place. A member reports he has been told by his lawyer that banks would not generally do that so maybe you should check individually. Perhaps a more accurate phrase is banks may freeze joint accounts…. Either way, be warned.
PPI Insurance
A member tells us he successfully claimed against Egg credit card for inappropriate PPI sold 9 years ago (see last e-newsletter). He says you can claim for all associated costs and there’s no need to use a quasi-legal firm to help you, which also takes a large proportion of any refund or compensation. Our member got back £400 in premiums plus £200 interest.
KartForce
A non-profit organisation set upby Dave Player (ex-Sapper)with support of ABF-The Soldiers' Charity. The aim is togive injured troops (serving and veteran) the opportunityto enjoy the thrillof karting and competing on a level playing field, using hand controls that fit to any kart, allowing karts to beracedwith only one or two hands. See
Red Lion Foods
A member drew our attention to Red Lion Foods ( They support several Service charities (one of which is a Corporate Member of the Society).Our member spoke to John Hunter of Red Lion who said that they have already donated over £400,000 to Service charities and look forward to increasing this in the coming years. This is very encouraging so do take a look at their website. BZ Red Lion.
Royal Naval Philatelic Society
Very sadly we have been informed that the RNPS ( will close down on 31 Dec. This is due to shrinking membership (225 members down from 600 in 1997), reducing income and higher costs (including MOD copyright and charges for serving officers’ signatures!!), and the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust can no longer subsidise the Society. What a shame a way could not have been found to save it. Meanwhile the Raflet Stamp Club ( is thriving with 1000 members, albeit it has no direct connection with the RAF.
Under Payment of State Pension with Unemployability Supplement
A member reports that a number of recipients of the state retirement pension (SRP), who also receive unemployability supplement (UNSUPP) from MOD, are due arrears or are being underpaid by Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). This dates from April 2006 when an obscure change in legislation authorised DWP to pay, with the SRP, the difference between UNSUPP and the Basic State Pension (BSP). Some people received payment from April 2008 of the difference of £1.00 pw, without application or notification that arrears were owed from April 2006. Our member, who has been paid his arrears for 2006/07 and 2007/08, has since come across eligible veterans who have not been paid the difference and a case where no SRP was paid from age 65/60. The difference (£3.60 for 2011/12) arose when BSP was increased above RPI, but UNSUPP was not. If you think this affects you, application for payment of arrears should be made to DWP and not MoD. This can be done by telephone. Please note the Society cannot answer any questions on this matter.
RPI / CPI e-Petition
It has come to our notice that an e-petition has been established by a Civil Servant on the Direct Gov website seeking to reverse the decision to link pension increases to CPI. The link is The Government will debate e-petitions that achieve 100,000 signatures. We thought we should draw this to your attention.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm
Malcolm Farrow OBE FCMI
Captain Royal Navy
Assistant General Secretary
T: 020 7820 8225
F: 020 7820 7583 Aug 2011