President Michael J Smedley www.impac.org.uk Member of the Occupational Pensioners’ Alliance affiated to the NFOP. YOUR NEWSLETTER FROM IMPAC IMPAC No. 57 December 2014 THE END OF TRIENNIAL TRUSTEE ELECTIONS AFTER 23 YEARS Up until April 1992 Imperial Tobacco had two pension funds; the Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund (ITPF), and a Retirement Benefit Scheme (RBS). The ITPF was managed by a Committee of Management all nominated by the Company. In November 1991 it was decided to introduce one elected member from each of the employee and pensioner groups into this Committee from February 1992. The first elections took place in November 1991 with an IMPAC member, the late Ted Hill, being successful as the pensioner representative and Derrick Wragg, the Midland Region Chairman, being successful as the employee representative. They took office in March 1992. The elections were overseen by the Electoral Reform Society and costs were met by our Fund. Since then elections have been held every three years. In April 1992 the two funds were amalgamated under this Committee of Management. Imperial Tobacco Limited were ahead of legislation since in May 1997 the Government of the day made the inclusion of elected representatives of the fund membership on any trustee board a requirement. However there were escape clauses like, “unless it is too difficult”, that allowed many occupational fund sponsors to ignore the requirement. In August 1996 the Board of Trustee was formed with the then Committee of Management becoming Trustees with the late Mike Huckman as Board Chairman. This year should have seen the 9th election process. By now you may be aware that the decision has been made by the Board of Trustees to select trustees from the nominations from ITL pensioner, deferred and employee groups thus denying members the voting procedure. The PFCC in September was advised that the selection process was under review and that they would be notified of the outcome within a few weeks. This was done in early November confirming the cessation of the election process in favour of a selection process together with a timetable for the 2014/5 nomination and selection process. IMPAC’s National Council are concerned at the lack of consultation on this decision and the Company have agreed to an extraordinary PFCC Meeting before the end of the year to hear IMPAC’s concerns. TRIENNIAL VALUATION 2013 REPORT ANALYSIS The end of March 2013 saw exceptionally low real interest rates that were the key factor behind the dramatic £1,327m Fund deficit on the winding up basis. However a year later, the March 2014 Pension Fund Report showed an estimated 10% improvement in the level of funding thus helping in reducing this deficit. Our concerns over Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) being our sponsoring company are now dispelled with Imperial Tobacco Group (ITG) issuing a formal guarantee of our Fund. In view of the deficit ITL/ITG have been required to improve funding at an ‘expensive’ time for them for at least the next three years. This has the side effect of improving our Fund’s security at company expense. In addition there is now an automatic trigger to double contributions should the Company credit rating be downgraded which further strengthens our Fund’s security. For the first time the Valuation Report took account of December’s RPI ever going negative whereas the rules dictate that pension payments do not reduce in these circumstances. Discussions with IMPAC’s Actuary confirmed that, providing we are confident of the strength of the Company Covenant, our Fund is financially well safeguarded. The crucial point that we have confirmed with IMPAC’s Actuary is that, based on the Company’s financial promises we are better funded than virtually any other large private sector fund. On our Fund’s winding up/buy out basis most other funds would be unlikely to reach 70% funding! Our focus should therefore be on monitoring the ability of the Company to honour it’s promises in the future and to aid our Trustees in this process. 1 CHAIRMAN’S CORNER. At the time of the last ‘Corner’ in June IMPAC was in the middle of important meetings on the Triennial Valuation. These proved satisfactory but did highlight the importance to us of the financial backing of the Company. It is therefore good news to report that the Company shares are making new ‘highs’ over £29 and results have been satisfactory. It is sad that this is accompanied by factory closures in Nottingham and in France. The closure of the former Gallaher factory in Ballymena recently announced brings to an end all UK cigarette production. The level of inflation as measured by the CPI index remains very low and state pensions will benefit from the guaranteed minimum 2.5% increase next year. As you will be aware, our next increase is dictated by the RPI for the calendar year. We now know that the 12 month figure to end October was 2.3% November and December figures last year were 2.6% and 2.7%. As these drop off the calculation it looks like we will be lucky to get 2% next April. Petrol is now £1.20 a litre near me! One must admit that pensioners continue to enjoy better increases than the average worker. I try to touch on some subject of personal finance in each ‘Corner’. Regular readers will know that I am a strong supporter of Which?, the Consumers Association, in particular Money Which?. The current (November) magazine has a very detailed and useful four page article entitled “The Price of CARE”. The three big financial issues of our lives are house purchase, pensions and, if we are unlucky, residential nursing care. The last of these is often the most traumatic and complicated. Big apparent changes making some improvements come into force from April 2016 but are only modest in actual effect. I cannot start to cover the detail of the subject for you here. Those faced with the problem of helping a family member should read the article, perhaps at the library. It contains many useful links and for all there is also a free and independent website www.which.co.uk/elderlycare. You can, for example, enter your postcode and get information on care homes in your locality and other wide ranging advice. Some 153 homes are listed within 20 miles of my postcode alone. I highly recommend that you look at it even if you have to consult a grandchild to find it!! In September Scotland decided to stay in the UK saving us from some very difficult decisions on currency etc. I should have mentioned above that the rules on residential care are more generous there with an un-means tested payment of £166 per week towards the personal care element. Those wishing to ‘emigrate’ to Scotland late in life to benefit from this should note that the total weekly cost charged by homes there is not very different from the average for England of £589 per week even if rather more help is given. At the time of writing we have just received at very short notice the new arrangements for appointment of Member Nominated Trustees. Consultative meetings are in place and I reserve judgment at this point until we receive more information. The existing arrangements gave us a degree of protection which we would clearly prefer to continue. A happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to all and as usual a special thanks to our many volunteers Norman Ferguson 2015 AGM The 24th IMPAC Annual General Meeting will be held at the Gateway Hotel in Nottingham on 6th May 2015 at 2:00pm and will be preceded by a Council Meeting. If you wish to have any points raised at the Council Meeting please contact your Regional Chairman or Lady Chairman. It may be possible to arrange regional transport if the numbers of those wishing to attend warrant it. Interested members should contact their Regional Chairman and the matter will be considered at the next IMPAC meeting in February. 2 2015 PFCC MEETINGS The PFCC Meetings for 2015 were announced by ITG as Wednesday 25th March and Wednesday 9th September. These will be held in Bristol with your Regional Representatives attending. Members having any questions for the PFCC should contact their Regional Chairman or Lady Chairman. PRESIDENT’S TROPHY The President’s announcement that Midland Region would be handicapped for 2014/15 due to recruitment opportunities offered by the closure of the Nottingham factory, has led to a concerted effort by the Midland Region Committee. They have risen to the challenge of this difficult time and negotiated for access to the 500+ employees leaving ITL either for alternative employment as deferred pensioners or as new pensioners. QUIZ ANSWERS Answers to the Quiz in IMPACt 56. 1. HAVOC 2. NOMAD 3. KHAKI 4. MAJOR 5. IGLOO 6. PAGODA 7. ASTHMA 8. CHERUB 9. ORCHID 10. PERIOD 11. TAPIOCA 12. ALMANAC 13. BIVOUAC 14. GIRAFFE 15. CATARRH 16. REQUIEM 17. HORIZON 18. INFERNO 19. SHAMPOO 20. SAMOVAR 21. SULPHUR 22. HABITAT 23. REDOUBT 24. CONCOCT 25. JUJITSU/SHIATSU 26. ANTHRAX 27. FLUMMOX 28. EQUINOX 29. SATISFY 30. RHUBARB 31.FLAMINGO/ FANDANGO 32. APPLIQUE/ BARBEQUE/ BOUTIQUE/ COLLOQUE/CRITIQUE/ MYSTIQUE/ PHYSIQUE. NEXT COUNCIL MEETING The next meeting of Council will be held on Wednesday, 18th February 2015 at the Almondsbury Interchange Hotel, Bristol. If you wish to have any points raised at the Council Meeting please contact your Regional Chairman or Lady Chairman. OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONERS’ ALLIANCE The London & South East Region Committee Member, David Pilkington, represented IMPAC at an OPA meeting held in Sunbury on Thames on 16th October 2014. He has issued a report on the meeting, that hosted two guest speakers, for National Council. The Mirror Group Pensioner Association has applied for membership of OPA. OPA is a group member of NFOP and their respective websites are www. opalliance.org.uk and www.nfop.org.uk. IMPAC receives copies of the NFOP Newsletter. If any member wishes to receive a copy of this Newsletter email the Editor at [email protected]. BRAIN TEASER No. 25 How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn't bounce off anything, there is nothing attached to it, and no one else catches or throws it back to you? ELECTRONIC MAIL If you prefer to receive IMPAC communications via the internet access the IMPAC website impac.org.uk and contact BPI Associates at [email protected]. To protect your privacy email addresses are not disclosed in the email communications that announce a new communiqué on the website. If you have opted for electronic mail and are receiving none then please advise us using the above contacts. IMPAC WEBSITE www.impac.org.uk The IMPAC website not only provides a contact for IMPAC members but many nonmembers find the content of use in ITL pension matters, since the website also enables direct access to the Pension Fund Office and the ITG Notice Board via the ‘Links’ page. There is now a link to the Facebook Group ‘Imperial Past and Present’ for members to use. Your comments about the website, favourable or otherwise, are always appreciated. EDITORIAL COMMENT 3 The Editor always welcomes your views on pension matters and any new ideas for IMPACt. You can write to Editor at The Cedars, 7 Leahurst Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6JD. You can also fax on 01159147337 or email [email protected]. SUBSCRIPTIONS The National Council continually review the options for paying membership subscriptions. Currently cheques and standing orders (SOs) are the only means available. Direct debits (DDs) are unlikely to become an option because of the high level of administration costs. With more members turning to ‘on-line’ transactions the internet option is under constant review. The National Council are very appreciative that members continue to support their combined efforts to maintain members’ benefits and the security of our Fund. these reserves. Given the supply problems of our national power providers the notion of being self-sufficient is gathering speed. Already one company, Flow Energy, has designed a boiler with a built in generator driven by the waste heat from the boiler. The notion of generating one’s own electricity needs is not new but with the debate on how to fuel new power stations going around in circles it certainly is becoming a real option. Meanwhile a record £43m was paid this year from household bills to ‘wind farm’ suppliers for their generators to stand idle. IMPAC REVIEW The National Council have agreed to form a sub-committee to review the way that IMPAC functions in providing services to the membership. The members of the sub-committee are Simon Andrews (Scotland Region) Bob Chamley (North East Region), Neil Hopkins (Midland Region and Neil Williams (London and South East Region). The sub-committee is chaired by Simon Andrews. The first meeting was held on the 19th November 2014 in Edinburgh. OVERSEAS NEWS Since 1992 overseas fund members have always been excluded from the triennial nomination of pensioner and deferred pensioner candidates for election to the Board of Trustees but were included in the voting process. The recent changes in the process for the appointment of pensioner/ deferred and employee Trustees negates this voting element. Overseas fund members will be notified of the outcome of the forthcoming selection process in March 2015. KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON The question of maintaining power supplies in the UK, especially over the coming winter, is once again being aired. This has generated a new expression ‘Brownouts’. We are familiar with ‘Blackouts’. Those remembering the war will recall those thick black/green curtains but now the word means no power. So what is a ‘Brownout’? When generating stations are overloaded they reduce voltage to maintain supply. You may have noticed your house lights suddenly dim then come bright again. If so, you have suffered a ‘Brownout’. These sudden drops in voltage can damage sensitive equipment such as set-top boxes, wireless routers, digital clocks and computers. Most desk top computer owners will have already purchased a SurgeMaster (or similar) to protect the voltage sensitive processor and other internal components. Apparently this winter the UK Generating Board has 3% capacity in reserve. Next year it is a predicted 2%. So any new buildings going up near you will contribute to diminishing NOTTINGHAM FACTORY CLOSURE The Midland Region Committee have organised a campaign to recruit employees into IMPAC before they take early retirement or are made redundant. An ‘information’ area has been set aside in the Factory. The Committee have negotiated a space and a recruitment stand with application forms and leaflets has been created to attract recruits. Although IMPAC is denied access, the Factory HR Department have agreed to erect the stand, keep it ‘topped up’ and arrange collection of completed application forms. The stand will remain for the duration of the closure period. 4 ROYAL MAIL STAMPS It’s that time for the annual reminder that Royal Mail always scrap their next day delivery promise between 6th December and 1st January. So consider not wasting your money on using first class stamps for any mail during that period. All mail is treated as one class, except the signed for recorded deliveries. BRAIN TEASER NO. 25 ANSWER: INSIDE ITG ‘Imperial Tobacco has secured its stable moat status following positive full-year results as equity analysts confirm the company is more profitable than its peers.’ The Morning Star published this on 4th November and went on to say that that ‘Imperial Tobacco More Profitable than Competitors’ and results were almost exactly in line with their (Morning Star) forecasts’. ITG’s share price leapt by 110p the following day and has been slowly gaining ground ever since. This is good news for all ITPF members and well done ITG who according to the Morning Star ‘On profitability, too, Imperial continues to punch its weight’. We understand that the closure of the ITG factory in Nantes, France, was not without difficulties and needless to say that the workforce in Nottingham are coming to terms with the closure of their factory. The advertising of e-cigarettes on television from10th November offers a new challenge to ITG who have been absent from the UK advertising world for many years. The first advert appeared during an episode of Grantchester for VIP electronic cigarettes. Throw the ball straight up in the air. THE LIFE OF O'REILLY? As in past years Ms O’Reilly looked at her last year’s Christmas card list. Sadly she crossed out the four names of those lost during the past year. Buying and sending Christmas cards is always an expensive business. A trip into her nearest supermarket to buy cheap packs was a 2 hour job using the bus service. Her sister Tilley was now too immobile to make the journey. Any outing invariably involved her wheelchair and pushing that was no easy matter. In addition there were relatives on the Christmas card list that warranted a card with the personal touch. These had to be bought separately and they came at a price. She had heard of younger people taking advantage of the internet to send electronic cards but vowed she would never do that, even if she could. She and Tilley were always pleased to send and receive cards in the traditional way. Some contained those annual ‘newsy ‘ round robin letters. She sometimes wished that she had the facility to write and print these for inclusion in her cards to those whom she never saw from one year to the next. But she consoled herself with the thought that she would not have anything exciting to report. Few visitors, no holidays and no ambitious plans; only chores and coping with illness and advancing years. Despite all this she had peace of mind and was content. She and Tilley really wanted for nothing as materially their needs were simple. They still made Christmas a special time. They always prepared a Christmas tree and put up a few decorations. Exchanging presents was always a pleasure thanks to nephew Oswald. He would always ask them individually what they would like to buy each other. He would make the purchases, gift wrap them and place them under the tree along with his own. Always some surprises to open on Christmas Day! Ms O’Reilly double checked her Christmas card list and put it in her handbag. She put on her hat and coat and said her goodbyes to Tilley. Collecting her shopping bag it was time to catch the bus to the super market and be back before dark. 5 PENSIONS NEWS With October’s annual increase in the Retail Price Index (RPI) at 2.3% the outlook for December’s RPI is that it could be lower. As you know this RPI increase determines the ITPF pension increase from April 2015. At the same time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual increase for September was 1.2%. This is the index used to determine the state pension increase and GMP element of ITL pension increase also from April 2015. However the Government’s recent guaranteed minimum of 2.5% state pension increase should come into effect. The Chancellor’s welcome news in the last Budget that those saving into a pension pot were no longer bound to purchase an annuity and could indeed access their pot at any time turned out to have conditions attached. Many are now finding out the detail in the small print and realising that that there are penalties and restrictions on access to pension savings. The Chancellor’s prime aim is to raise money taxed automatically at 20% and that they will have to reclaim this tax from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) even if they have completed a form R85 in respect of interest on bank and building society deposits. SAFETY FIRST An article in IMPACt 52 drew readers’ attention to certain household appliances that carried a manufacturer’s warning or recall. The number of these appliances sold grows daily and is now 4mill. The charity Electrical Safety First have created a website listing these appliances. Visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/recall for an appliance safety check. through taxation. So when the Chancellor seemingly offers us a spending opportunity he’s already calculated his likely returns on direct taxation and VAT of up to £3bill. On the plus side there are savings to be made on inheritance tax. Currently this is 40% on the excess of any estate worth more than £325k for an individual and £650k for a couple. Any money bequeathed resting in a pension fund is exempt. So any family facing a large inheritance tax bill has the opportunity to move cash savings or a personal pension into a regular ‘draw down’ pension scheme to escape from the tax. This offers the potential for retirement cash to be passed to the next generation free from inheritance tax. Sadly these changes will not be available for the many of our members who are already in receipt of their final salary pensions. They are of much more interest to succeeding generations the great majority of whom are now in direct contribution (DC) schemes or self employed. However the complexity of inheritance tax always demands expert advice before any implementation. A recent study on EU state pension schemes by the International Longevity Centre UK ‘think tank’ showed that the UK state pension is one of the least generous. The basic weekly £113.10 is typically one third of the average income of a worker. This compares to Italy giving two thirds and Greece equalling the average income. The continued existence of occupational and private pension schemes in the UK contribute positively to the welfare of UK pensioners. SAVING IN ‘OLD AGE’? Many of those over 65 still need the income from cash assets. The Chancellor in his budget last March announced the issue of Pensioner Bonds for the ‘over 65s’ in January 2015 promising ‘top rates’ of interest. For many this opportunity is the ‘only deal in town’ paying a decent interest; and the Chancellor knows it as he will watch the money pour in. Investors should note, however, that interest on these 65 Plus Bonds will only be paid out at the end of the period in question, i.e. after 1 year or after 3 years. Non-taxpayer investors need to be aware that all interest paid on these 65 Plus Bonds will be 6 THOSE WINNERS AND US LOSERS! Archives. You need to hang on to your income tax documents for 7 years just in case there are questions. MPs’ expense records are now shredded after 3 years. We might well conclude that defrauding the taxman is considered more than twice the crime as MPs defrauding the public. Save the NHS! We are told that the NHS budget is not adequate to meet its mounting bills. So how can the spending of £2m to provide members of the NHS England and Public Health England Quango with iPhones and iPads be justified? Training costs are also being run up to teach those issued with the 4,300 iPhones and 345 iPads how to use them. This Quango, set up by the coalition to save the NHS money, is surely giving a lesson to the NHS in spending. Means testing. Means testing for pensioners is always on the political agenda. A recent report from the King’s Fund ‘think tank’ chaired by Dame Kate Barker recommends that free prescriptions, TV licences and winter fuel allowance be stopped. Furthermore pensioners who continue working should pay NI contributions. This growing trend now sees 20% of state pensioners staying in employment. The report sees the cost savings and additional revenue from the proposed changes providing extra funding for the Care System that, according to their report, is ‘in crisis’. London & South East Region – Chairman Neil Williams tel. 01959 563 605. email [email protected] If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Neil. What next? Those people in Brussels have to justify their existence. Not content with doing away with light bulbs that gave light and vacuum cleaners that picked up the dirt they are now looking for emission control on petrol powered lawn mowers and the like. Also from next spring the list of prohibited high wattage devices is thought to include powerful hair dryers and electric kettles. Midland Region – Chairman Derrick Wragg. tel. 01773 789435 email [email protected] The Midland Region AGM will be held on the Tuesday 13th January 2015 at 10:30 at the Wollaton Park Community Association. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Derrick or email Secretary John Kenton at [email protected] NATIONAL INFORMATION President – Michael J. Smedley email [email protected]. Chairman – Norman W. H. Ferguson tel. 01275 372535 email [email protected] Secretary – Elizabeth Brimmell tel. 01761 453926. email [email protected]. Treasurer – Nicholas Norman mobile 07967467126 email [email protected] Pensioner Elected Trustees: Robin Aspinall tel. 0208 9691639 email [email protected] Allan Russell tel. 01764 664805 email [email protected] Pension Fund Office: tel. 0117 9530000 fax. 0117 9632860 Inland Revenue Office (ref. 794/BIT3) tel. 0845 302 1483 Membership Agency: IMPAC c/o 106a High Street, Codicote, Hertfordshire SG4 8XE. Tel: 0845 5050118 Email: [email protected] North East Region – Chairman Stephen J Grant. tel. 01912 893944 email [email protected]. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Stephen. North West Region – Chairman Anthony Macadam. tel. 0151 7 22 4807 email [email protected]. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Anthony or Secretary Barry C Stevens tel. 0151 7243336 email [email protected]. Scotland Region – Chairman Simon Andrews. tel. 01334 828779 email [email protected]. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Simon, or Secretary Colin Martin tel. 0141 7793796 or email [email protected]. Western Region – Lady Chairman Helga Hincks. tel. 01458-210024 email [email protected]. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Helga or Secretary Alan Bowering tel. 01179 502434 email [email protected]. REGIONAL INFORMATION Eastern Region – Chairman Richard L Hedley tel. 01652 655548 email [email protected]. If you have any questions about our Pension Fund or IMPAC contact Richard or Secretary David Dukes tel. 01652 6232137 or email [email protected]. Ipswich based members can contact Committee member Terry Hiskey tel. 01473 424280 Overseas – Tony Lowe is the UK co-ordinator for all our Overseas Members Tony’s email address is [email protected] IMPAC thanks all our Overseas Members for their continued support. 7 QUIZ CUBICLE Answers will be published in the next IMPACt. If you can't wait - visit the IMPAC web site www.impac.org.uk or contact the Editor. 1. What's the name of the period leading up to Christmas. ................................................................ 2. What was the name of John the Baptist's Mother? ........................................................................ 4. How many presents were given in total in the 12 Days of Christmas? ......................................... 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Who brings presents to children in Holland on the 5th/6th December? ........................................ In what decade was the first Christmas Card sent in the UK? ....................................................... How many of Rudolph's eight companions names start with 'D'? ................................................. Who was the 'King of the Jews' who ordered the babies to be killed? .......................................... What was Joseph's job? .................................................................................................................. Who started the custom of Wassailing ('good health')? .................................................................. 10. Who were first group to visit the baby Jesus? ................................................................................ 11. What's a lucky find in your Christmas Pudding? ........................................................................... 12. Which Angel visited Mary? ............................................................................................................ 13. The carol "Silent Night" was written in which country? ............................................................... 14. Which country did "Good King Wenceslas" rule? ......................................................................... 15. What was the last Beatles' Christmas number one? ....................................................................... 16. Which Christmas plant has the Latin name"hedera"? .................................................................... 17. What fruit is used to make a Christingle? ...................................................................................... 18. Why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem? ........................................................................... 19. What was first brought to England by William Strickland in 1526? ............................................. 20. Which European country was the first to issue a Christmas stamp? ............................................. 21. How would you make a chestnut into a "Marron glace"? ............................................................. 22. What first went on sale as "Smith's bon-bons"? ............................................................................ 23. Where does the Queen normally spend Christmas Day? ............................................................... 24. Where would you be if your Christmas gifts were bought by "Shengdan Laoren"? .................... 25. Which Pope in AD 320 declared December 25th to be Christmas Day? ...................................... Your National Council and Regional Committees wish all IMPAC Members, a Merry Christmas, good health and happiness in the coming New Year. IMPACt is the official Newsletter of IMPAC. The Editor reserves the right to edit any contribution or letter. Particular views expressed by individual members may not reflect IMPAC’s policy as agreed by the elected Council. Printed by The Print Quarter, 251 Exchange Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6DD 8 www.printquarter.co.uk
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