Pensioners... don't let them bully you!

Pensioners are being urged to open a bank or post office account to receive their state pension.

If they open the latter they will be issued with a swipe card and a pin number which they will then have to use in the machines that are now on post office counters to get their pension.

However, it is likely that many will not be able to remember their pin number or may misplace their card. What will they then do? When I put this question to a senior member of the Pension Service there was no answer.

So it would appear likely that some pensioners will find that they cannot get their pension. How are they expected to meet their day-to-day costs?

Another problem is the lack of arrangements for a pension to be collected by a friend or relative when the pensioner is temporarily indisposed.

Currently the pensioner can get some one else to collect their pension by filling in the relevant parts of their payment book.

In such circumstances in future are pensioners expected to hand their swipe card and pin number to a friend or relative?

The impression I have is that this is not the case. So how are pensioners to get their pension when they are indisposed?

What Mr Flaxman does not say is that the Government has agreed that there will be a service for those who do not wish to have a bank or post office account. Obviously they do not wish to publicise this as they want everyone to have a bank or post office account. It would be better if Mr Flaxman would tell pensioners what this alternative scheme will be so that they can make an informed choice rather than being bullied to open an account.

My advice to pensioners is, unless you are happy to open an account for your pension, to ignore the letter you get from the Pension Service inviting you to opt for an account.

The Pension Service will then have to make other arrangements for you to draw your pension at the post office.

COLIN JONES,

Palmers Green, Worcester.