Death of a PB BEFORE April 2008 June 2018 | Page 10

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Cost of Living Increases
To protect pensions against inflation, they are increased each year. The increases:
• Apply from the first Monday after the 5 th April each year.
WARNING
Some people get confused about what is classed as income when they claim State
Benefits. As well as being taxable, pensions are classed as income and should
be declared on forms for things like income support, rent rebate and housing
benefits. It’s better to declare pension details on all types of benefit claims as
overpaid benefits have to be paid back.
• Are fixed by the Government.
• Are normally the same percentage as those applied to the State Pensions.
If, however, you are receiving a State Pension based on your spouse’s National
Insurance contributions, the DWP may be responsible for increasing part of it,
known as your Guaranteed Minimum Pension.
Details of each increase are published in the newsletters and on our website.
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Income Tax
All pension payments are classed as taxable income and will be taxed under the
PAYE system using an emergency code until a correct code is received from the
Tax Office. No refunds of tax or other adjustments can be made until the Tax Office
confirms your code.
Any queries regarding tax codes or matters relating to Income Tax in general should
be addressed directly to the Tax Office as, unfortunately, SYPA will be unable to help.
Queries should be addressed to:
Pay As You Earn & Self Assessment,
HMRC
BX9 1AS
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Health Scheme Contributions
If your spouse/civil partner was paying contributions to Westfield you can have
contributions for yourself deducted from your pension. Simply complete Section 4
of the Beneficiary’s Form.
If you need to claim benefits, just ask your Health Scheme for a claim form, fill it in
and let them have it back. Tell them that you are a SYPA pensioner and give them
your pension number which you will find on your payslip.
If you wish to join Westfield at a later date you should approach Westfield direct.
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Life Certificates
A Life Certificate is a simple form that is sent to selected pensioners from time to
time. If you receive one, you should sign it and get someone who knows you, but is
not related to you, to witness your signature.
Life Certificates are used as a security measure to prevent pensions being paid for
people who have died or are no longer entitled to them.
Telephone [phone]
If you are entitled to a pension and need to contact the Tax Office, remember to
quote your National Insurance number and also the reference 673/SY2.
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SouthYorkshirePensionsAuthority
SouthYorkshirePensionsAuthority
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