Amidst the pap of Channel 4s tabloid TV financial affairs programme '30 Minutes' was a letter drawn up by a solicitor in an attempt to get the company to accept their liabilities to occupational pension scheme members. If nothing else, it should be good for a giggle -
"Pensions lawyer Stephen Alexander has drawn up a legal letter, which employees can send to the people who are running their pension funds. Copy and paste the below text. Complete it by filling in your employer's name in the relevant spaces. Address it to the Chief Executive or Chairman of the company:
Dear [insert Chief Executive/Chairman?s name here],
I am a member of the final salary pension scheme of [insert your company name here] and am writing to you to seek clarification of my position as a member of the Scheme and confirmation from you as to its continuation in the future.
Please can you confirm by signing a copy of this letter that:
- The Board of Directors fully understand that the Scheme is a vital part of my pay package and that I have planned my financial future based on the returns that I have been told will be paid to me on retirement;
- That as at today?s date there are sufficient funds in the Scheme to pay my full entitlement;
- No steps will be taken by [insert your company name here] to worsen my financial position inside the Scheme;
- [insert your company name here] will take no steps to wind up the Scheme to my detriment;
- If at any stage during the life of the Scheme, [insert your company name here] is sold or subject to any material change in ownership that my rights under the Scheme will be fully protected;
- No members of the Scheme will be treated preferentially or in any manner differently from other members of the Scheme;
- That the Board of Directors of [insert your company name here] have taken all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that the pension review and monitoring requirements are in place as required by Law.
Yours sincerely"