The study conducted by the Fiji Council of Social Services in partnership with Help Age International finds that the elderly believe that there is a need for top up by government to compensate for the VAT and other taxes for those on FNPF pensions.

Can the board and management of FNPF please take note, “TOP UP” does not mean cutting pensions.

There are alternatives and whilst we can understand the reluctance of the FNPF Board to admit they have been hasty and not taken all factors into consideration, now is the time for them to reconsider and go back to the drawing board and act on the submissions received.

Clearly their original proposal was framed without consultation with the members, as proven by the presentations at Public Meetings.

Greybeard 

Minister for Pensions Steve Webb said:

“We’ve taken a decision to restore the link with earnings and increase the basic State Pension by the highest of prices, earnings or 2.5%. This triple guarantee will ensure that pensioners can expect a decent offering from the state in retirement.”

Alongside the new benefit rates, a consultation setting out proposals and seeking views on the impact of using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for private sector occupational pension schemes is also launched today. It looks at whether there is a case for making it easier for occupational pension schemes to move to using CPI. The consultation recommendations propose to preserve and promote confidence in saving into private pensions.

Steve Webb said:

“We do not believe that Government should intervene to give pension schemes powers to change their rules if they do not already have such powers and our consultation out today will seek views on this approach. We need to ensure that people can have confidence in their pensions.”

When a gang of armed robbers targeted a jeweller’s in a violent smash and grab operation, the coast was clear except for a frail-looking pensioner.
But the trio made a tactical error by ignoring the 82-year-old woman, who was peering into the window of the shop.

As they started smashing a reinforced pane outside the premises with two baseball bats and a sledgehammer, she turned on them with her walking stick

The brave woman refused to back down even when the men rounded on her and hit her over the head and they eventually fled the premises of G Davison & Sons in Leigh, Essex, empty-handed.

The pensioner was later treated in hospital as a precaution for a bump on the head but was released the same day.
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