Save Our Pension Books

Pensioners beware - the Government now plans to abolish your pension book.

Although some pensioners don't use a pension book, many still do. In Kingston alone, thousands get their state pension paid with their book.

Yet the Government wants to abolish it. By 2005.

Over the next 2 years, pensioners with a pension book will get letters saying, "you must choose a different way to collect your pension". The alternatives will be: transferring to direct payment into a bank or building society account; transferring to a new "basic" bank account; or payment via a new Post Office Card Account.

The aim, of course, is to save money. Yet I'm worried it will leave many confused and worried.

I'm all for giving pensioners more choice, but it is hardly "customer-friendly" to remove the pension book option, after so long.

If the Government is hell-bent on modernisation, they should leave existing pensioners alone, and restrict changes to future pensioners. That would save a much anxiety for the most elderly, whilst still phasing in a new, cheaper system.

In the private sector, banks have kept cheque books, whilst introducing everything from debit cards and internet bank accounts.

It's time Government learnt about customer service.

If you agree, you can sign my online petition - but I'd prefer it if you write to me!