Q&A – for pensioners

This section of the website is here to answer specific questions, asked by pensioners. At the moment, it covers the most common payroll-related questions.

Why haven’t I received my pay advice recently?

Pay advices are only sent when you change your address, bank details, tax code or if the amount you are receiving varies by more than a pound on the previous month. There are two exceptions to this rule:

• March – all pensioners are sent a pay advice as it is also the P60. Please keep it safe; and
• April – to show any increase that you may have been awarded to your non PPF benefits ie pensions from AVCs or redundancy payments
• January - to show any increase awarded to your pension earned after 6 April 1997 under PPF rules. 

I am a widow and in receipt of a dependant’s pension awarded to me when my husband died. What will happen to the pension if I re-marry?

There is no change to your pension. It would continue to be paid as normal. Please send a photocopy of your marriage certificate to the department, so that our records can be changed to reflect your change of name.

I am a pensioner. My spouse/partner has recently passed away. What will happen to my pension when I die?

Your pension will stop. It cannot be transferred to any children unless they are under 18 years old. The executors of your estate should advise the Pensions Department if there are any minor children.

What death benefits are due to my spouse when I pass away?

For the majority of pensioners there is a reduced pension will be paid to the widow or, at the discretion of the Trustee, to a partner for life. Full details can be provided of each individual’s circumstance by applying in writing to the administrators at the usual address.

I have moved recently. How do I notify you of the change of address?

All changes of address must be made in writing to  Towers Watson either by post fax or by e-mail. If you are receiving a pension, send your email to Nortel.Networks@eu.watsonwyatt.com

I have changed my bank details. How do I notify the Department?

All changes of bank details must be made in writing with your signature. Evidence of your signature must also be provided. Details  cannot be accepted either over the phone or by e-mail.

Your pensioner, my relative, has moved and I am now dealing with their affairs. Can I deal with their pension on their behalf?

The correspondence address can be changed to whoever is dealing with their affairs. However, the banking arrangements cannot be changed without either their signature or sight of a Power of Attorney or similar legal document. Nor can the pension be paid to a 3rd party or information given to a third party without the pensioners authority, Power of Attorney or similar legal document.

Please state your relationship to the pensioner when giving us new instructions.

I am thinking of moving abroad. What will happen to my pension?

The change of address and bank details should be notified to the Department in the normal way. The pension can continue to be paid to your UK Bank Account or if you prefer an overseas Bank. If you decide that you wish the payment to be made overseas please provide the following details:

• The full name and address of the overseas bank
• The telephone number of the bank concerned
• The equivalent of their sorting code and account number
• The SWIFT address (obtainable from your new bank and usually alpha numeric).
• For European countries the IBAN number will also be required.

I have received my pay advice and the tax code currently shown on my pension is incorrect. When will this be changed?

Tax code changes are made as soon as we receive the official notification from the tax office. However, this can be up to two weeks after you have received your notification of the change. If the change is not received by the 10th of the month, we will be unable to effect the change and it will be reflected in your pension next month.

If you have any queries regarding the actual tax code that has been applied to your pension you should contact the Tax Office on 0845 0703703

How will you refund the overpayment of tax?

Any refunds due will be calculated and paid through the normal pension payment. It will be shown with a negative sign in front of the amount. However if the amendment to the tax code is not received before March 10th then any refunds will be paid to you direct by the Inland Revenue.

I do not agree with the totals shown on the pay advice for the year to date. How are they calculated?

The totals for the year to date are calculated from the start of the tax year, April, not the start of the calendar year, January.

I am receiving my Nortel pension can I now exchange it for a lump sum?

No. You can only take a lump sum payment in respect of your pension before your regular pension payments start. These cash payments are made within strict Inland Revenue guidelines.

Back to top of page
Print this page

Copyright © Nortel Networks UK Pension Plan 1999 - 2004. All Rights Reserved.