HPS Option Deadline Postponed to 31st August

[John Ratsey]

I have been sent the attached scanned copy of a letter from the Trustee and dated 29th July 2016 which someone had delivered by a postman today.

It advises, among other things, that the submission deadline has been postponed from 5th August to Wednesday 31st August.

Has anyone else received this letter? It is not currently available on the HPS website.

[billf]

Hi,
I received this in the post this morning

[Tim SMITH]

John

Yes, mine has just arrived. I think I'll now leave returning my form until late August (although in the meantime I might try sending in a form with a qualifying letter - to make a point, if nothing else).

[Jane Tordoff]

Mike and I have also received one.

[Stephen Brichieri-Colombi]

Why the extension? Too many unanswered questions for the remaining 30%.
In 2013, 59% of members were active of deferred. We would expect them to accept, as their terms are much better than PPF. It woudl appear some pensioners have accepted, presumably because of a high post-1987 component.
We have written to the Trustees with more questions pertinent to pensioner members.   

[Libby]

I received a letter today stating: "that the possible legal challenge, which we referenced in the recent Q&A has been withdrawn and is therefore not going ahead" Am I correct in my understanding that this statement is referring to the Upper Tribunal case?
Regards
Libby

[Jane Tordoff]

Yes.  If you go to the section "Legal Proceedings by HPA" you will see all the information that Stephen has posted.

[tonyfoster]

I have been sent the attached scanned copy of a letter from the Trustee and dated 29th July 2016 which someone had delivered by a postman today.

It advises, among other things, that the submission deadline has been postponed from 5th August to Wednesday 31st August.

Has anyone else received this letter? It is not currently available on the HPS website.

I received by email. The letter also states that the legal challenge has been withdrawn.

Is this true?

[Tim SMITH]

Tony

Unfortunately it is true. Please see Update 27 July 2016 on:

http://www.halcrowpensioners.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=170.15

[Mort Deas]

This afternoon (Philippine time) I received a very polite and friendly phonecall from a pleasant young lady at HPS to remind me that Option Date is fast approaching. Is this the norm or something new?

[Tim SMITH]

Hello, Mort

I think the politeness and friendliness are the norm - but I was not aware of the phone calls! Perhaps I'll shortly receive one too. I have held off sending in my decision, as I still do not know which way to go.

Furthermore, I have not yet received replies to any of my questions to the pensions team, which I sent on 01,03 and 04 August. In essence, I need to know (a) whether by unconditionally accepting the new scheme (Option A) I would be surrendering my legal right to a better pension, in the event of a future opportunity for redress arising, such as a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman or through a class action lawsuit, and (b) if the answer to (a) is "yes", the form of words  that the trustees consider that HPS members should use on their decision forms that would preserve their interests.

[Mort Deas]

Hi Tim,
My response to the young lady was that I will wait to see how the current situation develops and if necessary send the Option Form by DHL.

[peter_von_lany]

A week ago I also sent the Halcrow pensions team a set of questions similar to those sent by Tim Smith. I too am still waiting for a reply!