The Government will again be making Winter Fuel Payments to most people aged 60 or over for winter 2008/09.
There will be an additional payment for winter 2008/09 of £50 for households with someone aged 60-79 and £100 for households with someone aged 80 or over. This will be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment.
As a result of pensions reform the minimum age at which both men and women will be able to receive a Winter Fuel Payment will rise incrementally to 65 between 2010 and 2020. There is a working assumption that it will rise again to 68 with the increase in State Pension age. Precise details of how the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying age will increase are yet to be finalised.
You can call the Winter Fuel Helpline, or visit the website, if you need:
- more information about Winter Fuel Payments
- to tell them about a change in your circumstances
- to get a claim form for Winter Fuel Payments (for either this winter or past winters). You can also download a claim form from their website
The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users). Lines are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Charges are the same as for local calls. They may monitor your call to check the quality of service you receive.
Remember, if you are in receipt of a State Pension or another social security benefit other than Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit you should first contact the office that normally deals with you first.
April 30th, 2008
One of the most common calls that the NHFA deals with on their advice line is from families of older people who have to self-fund their care home costs because they own a property.
Often they are given a list of care homes by social services and left to sort themselves out! At no other stage of life could you imagine anybody paying out twenty or thirty thousand pounds a year from limited capital without seeking advice.
The information people receive from local authorities or the NHS does not always paint a clear picture of what they are truly entitled to from the State. Many are certainly not aware that there are specialist financial products and advice available to make the situation much more affordable and tolerable.
If you find yourself in this difficult situation, the NHFA have published a leaflet which may help you ask the right questions.
NHFA Care Advice Line is free and available to all, regardless of means, and combines financial advice with the complexities of local authority charging and assessment procedures, health authority responsibilities, DWP welfare benefits and legal matters. The aim of the NHFA is to enable older people to meet the cost of their chosen care for life whilst also preserving their original capital, independence, dignity and right of choice.
For a free copy of the NHFA Long Term Care Guide or for the Care Advice Line call 0800 99 88 33 or visit the website www.nhfa.co.uk
And finally, take specialist advice.
April 30th, 2008
TaxHelp for Older People (TOP) is a charity which recognises that the system is not flexible enough to make it easy for all older people to understand exactly their tax liabilities.
Basically the tax system applies to all UK residents the same, but many older people still do not realise that they are liable to pay tax on their pension if it is above the Personal Allowance (see below).
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March 13th, 2008
An expert guide to a changing financial landscape for older people both in terms of benefits and taxes was provided by speakers at the latest workshop held at the Jolly St Ermin Hotel, near Scotland Yard in London.
Former DSS manager Derek Wildey covered benefits, Pension Credit and even looked at residential and social housing, while chartered tax expert Jan Tish explained some of the important aspects of tax for older people.
Copies of both speakers’ presentations are available to download from the Data Resources section of this website.
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March 12th, 2008
The Employers Retirement Association Council elected a new chairman as Margaret stepped down after four successful years in the job.
Cynthia Elliott, of Unilever, will take up the post. At Tuesday’s (March 4) Council meeting, Cynthia proposed a vote of thanks for Margaret’s efforts and added: “It is a great relief to me that Margaret is staying on as a Council member.”
Also stepping down was Vice Chairman Rosie Williams, formerly of Kodak, who will be replaced by Alan Chapman of BP.
Cynthia Elliott |
Margaret Staines |
Rosie Williams |
Alan Chapman |
March 10th, 2008
Margaret Staines, who has chaired the Employers’ Retirement Association since 2004, is set to stand down in April.
Margaret, Welfare manager at John Laing, will be handing over to another long-serving committee member, Cynthia Elliott, Pensioners Liaison Manager at Unilever.
During her tenure Margaret has helped oversee update and increase the number of on-line communities among Member Companies and boosted funds for the organisation.
There are now four on-line communities which provide password–protected websites specifically for the retirees of particular member companies.
Margaret will continue as a member of the ERA Council.
January 25th, 2008
The final ERA member’s event of 2007 encouraged a wealth of valuable discussion on some of the main issues affecting our retirees.
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January 15th, 2008
The latest issue of the ERA Newsletter (November 2007) is now available for viewing on the Data Resources page.
January 15th, 2008
The ERA is launching a Best of the Best campaign to promote the excellent communications work carried out by Member Companies for their retirees.
We would like to showcase some of the interesting articles and features carried in some of the many publications and websites provided by the ERA membership.
(more…)
June 27th, 2007
THE ERA is very keen to trace a mystery subs payment received in January this year.
The full payment came with no reference and so we cannot tell who it is from. The payment was made in early January by direct debit from a branch of Natwest in central London.
If you can shed any light on which company/organisation it came from, we would be very grateful. Please contact us via the email facility on the website if you can help.
June 27th, 2007
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