Equiniti Pension Declaration
I just received a letter from Equiniti today with a request for a declaration to be completed for address and contact details. Normally I don’t have a problem with such things; however, what annoyed me on this occasion was the warning, sorry ‘threat’ that if the declaration is not completed and submitted in 12 weeks, they would consider stopping pension payments, in which case payments would be held in trust until such time as they can confirm my ongoing entitlement.
My view is I served my time and the pension is the reward. It is not something to ever be subject to withhold, regardless if my actual address. The bank it is paid into has not changed, and likely never will as I live overseas. I know the letter was directed to Equniti by the MOD, so they are in this case just the messenger, which then actually makes it a little less acceptable in my view.
I am aware they need to ensure those in receipt of a pension are still alive and kicking as well as those who receive pension payments for their late spouses, but I could be anyone and my signature on a piece of paper and that of a 'witness' who really could be anyone does nothing to ensure any form of real validation I am who they think I am.
Am I just being hyper sensitive this morning, as I have not had second breakfast yet!