SIR - I refer to the letter from Terry Ford of Malvern (Letters, February 9) on the "Inaccurate ranting of hack journalism." While not wishing to enter the debate regarding the anomalies between public and private pension payoffs, I feel I should put him right on his 'inaccurate" pension calculation and include the bigger picture of local government pension benefits.

Local government employees, such as civil servants and teachers, receive final salary pensions. These are calculated on 1/80th (not 1/85th as Mr Ford stated) of the 'final salary' multiplied by the number of years service.

So, for the example Mr Ford gave of manual worker with 40 years service and earning £222 a week, they would receive £111 a week (not £104.47) which incidentally, increases annually thereafter by the retail price index.

On retirement, public servants also receive a one-off tax-free lump sum payment based on 3/80th of their "final annual salary" and years of service for which Mr Ford's manual workers would receive £17,316.

Local government employees may also benefit from the "85 year rule." If an employee's age and number of years paying into the pension scheme adds up to, or exceeds 85, they are entitled to retire before 60, at their employer's discretion, and with no reduction in benefits.

RICHARD FRASER,

Martle