Pensioner Newsletter - 2025

Your pension at your fingertips

‘My Pension’ is a secure online member self-service website that allows you to take control of your Local Government Pension. The website makes keeping up to date and looking after your pension simple.

The website allows you to:

• Securely view, download, and print monthly payslips and your annual P60* – keeping you up to date with the pension benefits you have received.
• Manage or view who you wish to receive any death grant lump sum (if payable) when you pass away**.
• Calculate the benefits payable upon your death.
• Update your personal and bank details online

*Note: If you opted out of electronic communication, then you will continue to receive your pay information via the post. You will only receive payslips between March and May each year, and when your pension changes by greater than £5 net per month.

**The Pension Fund make the final decision but take account of your wishes where possible.

To find out more, including how to register please click on the link below.

www.eastsussexpensionfund.org/new-improved-my-pension-is-live/

If you require any assistance with ‘My Pension’ then please contact our dedicated helpline on 0300 200 1027.

Your pension payment dates from September 2025

A great source of information for pensioners

Are you aware that the East Sussex Pension Fund also has its own website dedicated to supporting members, beneficiaries, and employers of the pension scheme? The website holds a comprehensive range of information to support you in your retirement.

ESPF main website address

Some areas to explore:

Pensioners – a whole section dedicated to pensioners of the scheme looking at areas such as pensions in payment, death in retirement and frequently asked questions.

Resources – you can access forms, guides to the scheme, policies, historical newsletters and other key resources.

We will also be looking to add the ‘East Sussex Pension Assistant’ to key pages of the website by the end of the year. This will allow users to ask a generic pension related question online with an answer (where possible) provided immediately. A link to further information will also be given where appropriate.

Government guidance states that Local Government Pension Funds (LGPS) should work together to pool investments. They should do this to reduce costs, while maintaining investment performance. Since 2016 East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) has been part of the ACCESS LGPS Asset Pool – along with ten other LGPS Funds.

The Government launched its "Fit for the Future" consultation in late 2024. This set out key reforms to investment management in the LGPS, outlining minimum standards of pooling for all LGPS pools. The Government has since published its consultation response, which confirmed that Administering Authorities (like ESPF) will continue to be responsible for setting their own investment strategies but must delegate the implementation of this strategy to a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorised and regulated investment management pool.

The proposed approach of our current pooling partner ACCESS to comply with the requirements of the consultation was not supported by government. As a result, ESPF is required to identify a new pooling partner by 30 September 2025.

ESPF, in conjunction with its advisors and West Sussex Pension Fund, has carried out a detailed evaluation process, to identify a partner to deliver in line with the Government's guidance, whilst ensuring alignment with its investment strategy and taking account of employers’ and members’ best interests.

On 24 July 2025, Pension Committee confirmed a preferred pooling partner as Border to Coast Pensions Partnership.  Established as a regulated asset manager in 2018, they are one of the largest LGPS pools in the UK. Their purpose is to make a difference for the LGPS by providing cost-effective, innovative, and responsible investment opportunities that deliver returns over the long-term. The Committee agreed that it was the right decision to work towards becoming a shareholder in Border to Coast Pensions Partnership.

This is a major step for ESPF to meet the challenge set by Government to find a new pool, but the process is still not complete. The decision to admit a new fund to the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership rests with their shareholders. We will keep members and employers up to date on our progress. The Government has set a deadline of 31 March 2026 for this change to be finalised. 

Important note: 

The government has been very clear that LGPS members’ benefits and pensions are guaranteed in law and will not be affected by these changes.

We understand when a bereavement occurs if can be a challenging time. This article explains the process which occurs following the death of an LGPS Scheme Member.

How to notify the Pension Team

To tell us about the death of a member, there is certain information the family or representative needs to provide. This includes the following information about the Member:

•        Full name
•        National Insurance Number
•        Address
•        Date of death

This can be provided via email at [email protected], or you can contact us on 0300 200 1022.

Please also provide your full name and the details of the Member’s next of kin, personal representative, or executor - the person dealing with the Member’s estate. This includes their name, address, email address and telephone number.

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. If we are notified by the Tell Us Once service, they should inform us of all necessary information.

We will write to or email our key contact, enclosing any necessary forms that need to be completed. These should be signed and returned by email or to our postal address.

Once the necessary forms have been returned to us, we will process benefits, if any, that are due and notify all relevant parties when this is complete.

As a pensioner member a lump sum death grant, survivor pension and children’s pensions may become payable upon your death. Any benefits payable will depend on when you retired and if you have any dependants when you die.

Explore more about Death in retirement

Survivor's pensions

When you die, we may pay a pension to your husband/wife/civil partner/cohabiting partner* and your dependent children.

The amount of pension is based on how long you were in the East Sussex Pension Fund, your pay when you retired, and any dependants you leave. The pension will be payable for life to your husband/wife or your civil partner or your cohabiting partner, even if they remarry. If you got married after you retired, not all of your membership may count towards a pension for them. The amount of survivor's pension depends on a number of factors, please contact us for the details applicable to your circumstances.

*Co-habiting partner pensions only apply to members who were active in the scheme on or after 1 April 2008. If you’re living with a partner who is not your husband, wife or civil partner, they will not be automatically covered by the LGPS when you die. For your partner to be eligible to receive a survivor’s pension, there are a number of conditions that must be met:

• You and your partner must have been free to marry or form a civil partnership for at least 2 years
• You and your partner must have been living together for at least 2 years
• Neither of you have lived with another person within those 2 years, for example ex-husband/wife or civil partner
• Your partner is financially dependent on you or you are financially interdependent on each other.

Please note: Your partner is financially dependent on you if you have the highest income. Financially interdependent means you rely on your joint finances to support your standard of living.

In order for the surviving partner to receive the pension, they will have to provide evidence that the above conditions are met at the time of your death.

Children's Pensions

Children's pensions are payable to any eligible dependent children you may have when you die. This includes your own children, adopted children, and certain other children who depend on you financially. They must normally be under 18 but can be as old as 23 if they carry on in full time education. It can even cover some adult children who cannot work because of a disability.

What to do if you have a tax query

If appropriate, income tax is deducted from your pension in accordance with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) guidelines. Any tax queries should be directed to HMRC.

Write: Pay As You Earn, H.M. Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS                

Phone: 0300 200 3300

You should quote the ESCC Pensions reference of 334/EZ61724, your payroll reference number and National Insurance number (shown at the top of your pay advice slips).

What is it and what can you do with it?

The easiest way to check your tax is through the HMRC personal tax account at www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account. Your personal tax account is like an online bank account, but for tax.

What can I do with it?

You can use your personal tax account to:

• Change your address with HMRC

• Check your tax code, personal allowance and income details for up to four previous tax years

• Tell HMRC about any changes that could affect your tax code

• Update any employer and pension provider details

• See how much tax is due for the current tax year

• Check tax code changes and access information on why they have changed

• Get an estimate of your state pension and check your National Insurance record

• Claim marriage allowance

• Claim a refund of overpaid tax

How do I sign up?

If you are ready to sign up, you can go straight to the personal tax account sign-in page at www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account. There is also a trusted helper option that allows you to ask a close friend or family member to help you use your personal tax account.

Help for those on lower income

If you are over State Pension age and on a low income, you may be entitled to extra money to help with your living costs separate from your State Pension by applying for pension credit.

Find out more on the GOV.UK website or call the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in

Winter Fuel Payment

Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in

A Council Tax discount

A free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over

Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit

Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme

A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house

If you need help completing benefit claim forms, make an appointment at your local Citizen’s Advice. They have advisors that will help you.

Help with your financial affairs

Some pensioners ask relatives or friends to help with their financial affairs. To enable us to take their instructions about a change of address or bank details, we require evidence of either:

·       a Power of Attorney, or

·       a Court of Protection order.

For information on how to make a Power of Attorney see:

www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

East Sussex set for largest ever celebration for older residents

Street dancing, sangria and accessible sport are some of the events taking place across East Sussex as part of the largest celebration of older people the county has ever seen. The Full of Life Festival is a programme of activities taking place in September and October celebrating the role older people play in our communities.

More than 80 free and paid-for activities for the 50-plus age group will be taking place over the next two months to mark International Older People’s Day on October 1 - the largest programme of events since the initiative was established 18 years ago.

The programme has been designed by the county council with the support of East Sussex Seniors’ Association (ESSA) to help older people in the county to make connections, understand how best to look after themselves and provide a range of activities that can boost health and well-being.

Activities are taking place in locations across East Sussex including Bexhill, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Newhaven, Rye, Seaford, Uckfield, and Winchelsea.

People can view the full programme and find out more information about events taking place at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/olderpeoplesday.

Full of Life event booklets, with the full listings of all the events and activities taking place, are available to pick up from libraries, council buildings and leisure centres. The booklet also contains additional health and wellbeing information which can be used and shared year-round.

Hints and tips from Age UK

Age UK provide information on age-related health conditions, tips, and advice on staying fit and healthy, as well as information on dealing with health services and leaving hospital.

Visit the AGE UK website to find out more

The Silver Line Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service run by Age UK, providing friendship, conversation and support for older people. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Loneliness can be tough, and many older people know this from experience. We need connection whatever our age – especially if we live alone or further away from family. The Silver Line gives people the opportunity to exchange a brief, friendly word or enjoy a long, enriching conversation. The kind of call offered depends very much on what people might want or need when they pick up the phone to talk to them.

The Silver Line service also helps by offering:

•      information and support
•      insight into how to access local groups and services
•      a referral to regular friendship calls, a service also run by Age UK
•      support for older people experiencing abuse and neglect.

Find out more about The Silver Line helpline

We are here to help

If you'd like to get in touch by email or phone, please visit the contact us page on our website.

If you are looking for free guidance on Pensions, please visit the MoneyHelper website.

MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help, MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.