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Notices

Notices on this page are short pieces of information that you may find useful or interesting.

Please note that JSS have no control over external sites that are reached via any external links provided. More information can be found in our terms of use.

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Notices

JSS has a statutory duty to issue pension scheme information to new members within one month of their details being provided to JSS.

Regulations also require JSS to send pension scheme information within two months if we haven't received new starter details from the employer, which is obviously challenging if employers don't send new starter details to JSS in a timely manner.

The service level for employers to send JSS new starter details is 10 working days after their start date, which happens 93% of the time, and on average JSS send information out within 2 working days. Generally new starters are receiving their information within the prescribed deadlines but not all do and for that reason we've published this item to remind employers of their responsibilities.

Sunday 15 September is pension awareness day.

Saving and planning for retirement (PDF, 358KB) - opens in new window - is an article provided by JSS to help members think about saving for retirement. It contains informaton on setting up retirement income goals along with useful information and links for retirement planning.

It is important to make sure that you are prepared for later life. The Mid Life MOT - external link page provides a package of support with pension planning and working options that you may find useful.

Following uncertainty about the inflation proofing of the State Pension if there is a no deal Brexit, the Government has recently confirmed that for a year after the UK leaves the EU it will continue to uplift State Pension payments for individuals who retired to live in EU countries.

The Government has also confirmed that it wants to secure continued reciprocal arrangements covering the inflation proofing of State Pensions for EU nationals in the UK and for UK nationals within the EU, even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

24 May 2019 has been set by the High Court as the date of its judicial review over the alleged mishandling of the increases to the State Pension age for women born in the 1950s.

On 9 January 2019 legislation came into force banning pensions cold calling. This means that it is now illegal for companies to make unwanted or unsolicited phone calls to people about their pension.

It only applies to companies calling from within the UK and does not apply to companies outside of the UK, or to text messages or emails.

According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) scammers are stealing as much as £91,000 per victim. According to the Money Advice Service there could be 250 million unsolicited pension scam phone calls each year.

The ban does not apply where

  • The caller is authorised by the FCA, or is the trustee or manager of an occupational or personal pension scheme
  • The recipient of the call consents to calls or has an existing relationship with the caller

If you receive a cold call about your pension you are encouraged to gather as much information as possible during the call and then report it to the Information Commissioner. - external link

Following the sending of the Annual Benefit Statements, JSS receive many requests from members about updating their personal details e.g. Changes of name, Death Benefit Nomination (DBN), home address, marital status etc.

When you change your details with the respective HR/Payroll departments, this information is not routinely passed across to JSS. You should make sure that you also notify JSS at the same time by sending an email to including either your pension scheme number (this can be found on your Benefit Statement) or National Insurance (NI) number.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016,  you could get more money if you delay claiming or stop your State Pension. More information can be found on the Deferring your State Pension - external link page.

Both members and employers are welcome to visit us by appointment during office hours (8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays). We can offer a private interview room for confidential matters. Please feel free to contact us to arrange a time that is convenient for you.

If you are not expecting contact from an organisation then you should always verify who they are. No reputable organisation will mind you checking their credentials or calling them back. Never give out personal details or information to cold calls, or respond to emails or texts if you are unsure.

If you cannot verify the identity of the person contacting you, never disclose your personal details.

HMRC takes fraud and scams very seriously and provides information regarding current known scams and what to do. The links below provide further information.

If you are unsure always check first and never give out personal details.

There are a number of benefits and help available when you retire, a few of them are listed below:

Citizens Advice - external link can provide further information on benefits you may be entitled to.

Please note that JSS cannot comment, endorse or assist on any of these benefits.

The government has a free and impartial service called Pension Wise that helps you understand your pension options.

The Pension Wise - external link - website contains information about defined contribution pensions, it will not recommend any products or tell you what to do with your money.

For individuals who have a final salary or a career average pension The Pensions Advisory Service - external link - or The Money Advice Service - external link - can provide help and information.

The Pension Tracing service - external link - provides a way of tracking down pensions from previous jobs or personal pensions that may have been forgotten about.

The State Pension is a regular payment that you may get when you reach state pension age. On 6 April 2016 the New State Pension was introduced. More information regarding the State Pension is available in the document your State Pension explained - external link -.

Check your State Pension

You can use the Check your State Pension - external link - website for an estimate of what you may receive.

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