During this uncertain time, we want to reassure members that looking after their pension is our top priority.

We know some of you may be worried about receiving your pension payment. For pensioners, the value of regular pensions we pay to you is not determined by movements in the stock market. This means that any changes in the markets will not affect the regular pension payment which you receive from the Scheme.

For those members who are concerned about the impact of losses on your defined contribution pension pot, the Trustee recommends that you take financial advice if you are considering making an investment change. If you are due to retire in the near future and wish to withdraw your pot from the Scheme, the Trustee recommends that you take financial advice.

Members who have a DC pension pot invested in the Scheme’s Targeted Investment Strategies are reminded that these strategies are designed to provide growth over the long-term. Whilst we expect there to be some short-term changes in value, if you are considering making an investment change, we recommend that you take financial advice.

We are following the latest Government advice and working closely with our advisers and administrators to ensure our services to you are maintained and provide continuing support for our membership.  Our key priorities are to ensure our members continue to receive their payments on time and to protect the health of our staff.

The Scheme administrators, Willis Towers Watson, are experiencing an increase in member queries. Due to this you may have a longer call wait time and some delay to your postal or email query. Willis Towers Watson are prioritising bereavements, payments and investment related transactions. To help them be effective, we would ask that you send all queries by email and please include your month of birth, post code and the last 4 characters of your National Insurance Number. This will ensure WTW can respond to your query without any additional delay.

For most other queries you may be able to find the information you require online via My Pension. If you are on the HSBC network, you will not need a password or username.

My Pension provides information on your pension and depending on your membership you will be able to:
 
- View your latest pension information
- Update your contact details and nominate your beneficiaries
- If you have a defined contribution pension pot, view and change your investments
- As a pensioner, view your payslips and tax information

Be aware during this uncertain time as there are some sophisticated fraudsters engaged in scams designed to trick Scheme members. The current volatility and uncertainty arising from the Covid19 pandemic is a potentially productive environment for these scammers. The Trustee urges all members to be scam aware. To find out more visit here.

The Trustee will continue to monitor the situation and hopes you and your family remain safe during this unprecedented situation.