Page 5 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021

Report from the Chair of the Trustees
The Gazette QARANC Association 3
I do not think we need to mention 2020 other than to thank all for their efforts during that dreadful year. 2021 presents its own challenges; the nation gears up to vaccinate and thus protect the population but whilst that is in progress so many of you are fully engaged caring for those infected, those recovering and those who remain vulnerable. During this time, you must, please, think of yourself. To achieve we all need to be fit for this final hurdle, and to be fit we must support each other; we, QA’s, are good at this.
For the first time we have our full complement of trustees. We welcome Duane (aka Fletch) Fletcher MBE on to the Board. We may well have a full complement of trustees, but we do not yet have a reserve list – should you have the time and would like to apply please do!
One of the most asked questions coming my way is... ‘how has COVID-19 affected your operational capability?’ Well, our background sub-committee work has slowed; we continue in low gear. I learn that some two thirds of our trustees are working on the frontline, be it in the hospitals or vaccinating. The Charity’s ‘frontline’ working has not been affected other then slow referrals for benevolence – a situation out of our control due to reduced face to face consultations by outside agencies and postal problems.
All in all, our central team and a handful of... mature trustees are keeping matters running smoothly!
I do not intend to write anymore; the Association is strong, we will get through this last phase. All we ask is keep safe, look after each other and, again, to do that look after yourself.
John Quinn Chair
Help us to help those
who haven’t claimed their
rightful pension
An appeal from Major General Neil Marshall, CEO of the Forces Pension Society
In difficult times like these, some are experiencing greater hardship than they should. I’m referring to those veterans that have unclaimed pensions because they are unaware that they may have qualified for a preserved pension based on previous service; and those who cannot be traced by the MoD’s Pension Administrator. We estimate there are over 7,000 such unclaimed pensions, some of which are quite substantial.
The Forces Pension Society works in conjunction with Veterans’ Gateway – the first point of contact for those seeking support – to help those who may be eligible to claim their pension. Since 2017, we have dealt with more than 6,000 enquiries
from Veterans or their families and have confirmed entitlements for more than 850 Veterans. And the amounts involved are not insignificant. For example, recent successes include an individual who left the Army in 1988 after 12 years’ service. He received an annual pension of £5,000, a lump sum of £15,000 and two years’ back pension. To be perfectly clear, however, if the Service Person was on a gratuity earning Short Service Commission and received a gratuity payment when they retired, then they would not be eligible for a preserved pension.
Of course different pension schemes have different rules but if you know any Veterans who served under AFPS 75 or 2005 who have
turned or are approaching 60 and have not claimed their service pension, please encourage them to visit the Veterans’ Gateway website – www.VeteransGateway.org or call them on 0808 802 1212.
Additional helpful information can be found on our website: www.forcespensionsociety.org
As I remind people repeatedly, it pays to understand your pension.”
The Forces Pension Society is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that acts as the pension watchdog for the whole military community; it is the trusted source for independent, Armed Forces pension advice.