Key points on Meeting between Tevita Nagataleka and Christopher Jackson MarHeld at Sheraton Fiji Resort on 04 February, 2012 from 10:00 to 11:30 am.

Tevita Nagataleka
I have been very impressed with your extensive research and the information that you have provided me. This is the reason that I decided to meet with you.

Jackson Mar
I would also like to show my appreciation for your efforts in meeting with me. One of the great frustrations of pensioners is that neither FNPF decision making executives nor government ministers are willing to meet pensioners to exchange views in a meaningful, professional and constructive way..

Impact resulting from reduction in pension. I would like to outline my life experience so that you can understand my position. I started earning an income at the tender age of 12. I have only a high school education but have participated in ongoing executive management development programs including a six-week executive management development program at theUniversityofHawaii.. My career spans from being a bank clerk, airline accountant, senior executive management positions in the hotel industry including company secretary, financial controller, resort manager, owners’ representative and chief executive officer. The companies include Fiji Resorts Limited (owning company for Shangri-la Fiji Resort), Four Seas Regent Resort, Raratongan Beach Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, Richmond Limited (owners of Sofitel Fiji Resort). I was also a past director of Denarau Corporation Limited for three years.

It took years to plan my retirement finances and every dollar saved with the FNPF was entrusted to the Fund for a contracted life time pension. Now at age nearing 69 years, my pension (if I decide to accept one again) would be reduced by more than half.

In my advanced age, it would create an untenable financial blow resulting in a substantial reduction in my living standard, dependence on our children and eventual sale of our home in order to make ends meet.

As you grow older many expenses increase e.g. medication, dietary requirements, tertiary medical, old age care, inflation (pension is not subject to inflation adjustment as with Fiji government pensions) etc.

It would also have a very negative psychological impact on me, and many pensioners are in a similar cruel predicament.

TN
There is a need to understand the underlying principles of the reform i.e. sustainable, non-discriminatory and no cross subsidy. 

Sustainability and FNPF’s capacity to pay pensions are dependent on returns on investment, life expectancy and pension take up rate. 

Initially the take up rate was very low and FNPF encouraged and promoted members to take up pensions. 

Many countries are also reducing pension rates and pensioners need to face reductions. Pensioners have received large payments many times what have been paid for annuities and the offer to pensioners is fair.
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Fijians can be proud of their national airline and confident of its world renowned customer service.

That was the assurance by Air Pacific’s Managing Director David Pflieger with the selection of Global business, ‘Rolls-Royce’ Trent 700 engine to power its three new Airbus A330-200 aircrafts.

Air Pacific had announced last year the order of three brand new Airbus A Three Zero- 200s which will begin arriving in March 2013 and will be operated on flights to Fiji from Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.

Pflieger said the trent engine is the only engine specifically designed for the A330 adding the two market leading innovators with superior safety service, operational and environmental performance track records will be ideal partners.

The agreement with Rolls Royce which also includes long term support services is valued at FS370 million Fijian dollars said Fast Talking High Flying Dave.

But International uncensored media say the cost is UK Pounds £210 million which is over F$600 Million Dollars

Who do you believe ????

Check out: Meanwhile, In the FTSE 100, Rolls-Royce (LON:RR.) caught the eye of investors as it reported another contract win. The turbine and engine manufacturer has secured an order worth £210 million from Fiji’s national carrier Air Pacific for Trent 700 engines to power three Airbus A330 aircraft.

This is the first time Air Pacific has selected Rolls-Royce engines and the contract includes long-term TotalCare service support, the group said.

A non government organisation, Fiji Council of Social Services/Help Age Centre is calling on the government to extend the dead line to May for pensioners wishing to reach FNPF centres to discuss their options and to continue the payment according to the old system.

The Executive Director Hassan Khan said that the deadline which is 29th of this month should be extended to 31st May 2012 as flooding and extremely bad weather conditions have restricted the movements of older persons including the pensioners.

He said there is rush to get the papers in order before the deadline and there are many pensioners required to wait in long lines in the various FNPF centres which is bad for the health of both the FNPF staff and the pensioners, who are not able to wait in long lines due to ill health.  

He said there many pensioners on wheel chairs as well.

Khan said many pensioners are facing extra financial burden as they are required to make several trips to get their papers right and to avoid the long wait. 

He said it would also be a good idea for the FNPF to have JPs on hand to avoid the extra running around by the pensioner’s who are not aware of the JPs.

He said that the Fiji Pensioners Association had already called for such an extension and he hopes the request will be seriously considered.

GreyPower Comment = Wishful thinking