I thought some of you
might like to know how BAE Systems Pension Fund Trustees handle things
for the spouse when a pensioner dies. I have been very impressed by my
contact with them since Cliff died.
Within days
of notifying them I got a reply written in a very sensitive way. Of all
the organisations I had to contact their reply was far and away the
most helpful. It explained exactly what I had to do to obtain my
spouse's pension. They also sent a comprehensive checklist of all that
one might have to do after someone dies, together with a list of
sources of information collated from experiences of bereaved pensioners.
Because they had already paid Cliff's next month's pension
into
our bank account they had to ask for repayment, which was done very
sympathetically with a request that if this might cause financial
hardship I could contact them via their helpline.
Betty Bore
Praises Bae Systems Pension Fund Trustee
Having got together the various documents they needed for me to claim
my spouse's pension I took these over to the very pleasant new offices
at the Farnborough Aerospace Centre which had a beautifully designed
garden outside the entrance. There one of eight members of the pension
team met me and copied what was needed, chatted about how much she
enjoyed her job and got a coffee for me, too. Two days later I received
confirmation of benefits with a clear explanation and the first payment
was made shortly after that.
Thank you BAE Systems Pension Fund Trustees for your help and
consideration.
Cliff always felt that working at Hawkers was fascinating and
worthwhile. Thinking about it I realise that his colleagues shared the
ability to focus very hard on aeronautical problems in order to solve
them.
Meeting many of these former
colleagues at
Hawker Association meetings I think this focusing ability has carried
into retirement with many different forms, be it bird-watching,
computing, family history, Brooklands Museum, or whatever. I was amused
at the heartfelt affirmative response I got from two or three of the
wives when I suggested this.
I
wish the Hawker
Association all the best for the future and hope to see you from time
to time at the monthly meetings.
