PRG wishes all Reuters’ pension members a happy and healthy 2025.

It has been some months since we last published a newsletter, but the group has been active in responding to concerns raised by RPF and SPS members. Three issues have been brought to the group’s attention and we explain below what action we have taken.

CAPITA REJECTS EXPERIAN EXTENSION

Capita has rejected repeated efforts by PRG and the trustees to persuade it to extend for another year free Experian membership for RPF/SPS pensioners after their big data leak.

Following the letter sent by Capita to RPF and SPS members last November, PRG was approached by a number of pensioners with concerns about the level of personal information “exfiltrated” – stolen — during the 2023 personal data breach.

Access to HMRC data, which was not explained in detail in Capita’s letter, was of significant concern to members, who were only advised how to be vigilant in protecting their personal information.

PRG contacted Capita to ask if it would go a step further in protecting members by extending the free Experian membership deal for a further 12 months.

Capita replied promptly to say that the initial 12 months access to Experian was in line with market standards and would help to minimise the potential impact of the cyber incident.

Capita said it had no evidence that information resulting from the cyber incident was available on the dark web, whether for sale or otherwise, and that the Capita-appointed third-party specialist adviser continued to monitor the dark web.

PRG went back to Capita to say that a further 12-month Experian membership would give another layer of comfort to RPF and SPS members.

But Capita was not prepared to shift its position, so PRG took the case to Catherine Redmond, Chair of the RPF and SPS trustee boards. We asked the trustees to intervene on behalf of the worried members and press Capita for an extension of the Experian membership.

No luck, unfortunately. We have just heard back from Ms Redmond that Capita refused to change its position. There will be no extension of the 12-month Experian membership to pensioners found to have had additional data exfiltrated in the data breach.

WIDOW’S/PARTNER PENSIONS

Over recent months, some members told us they were worried about the accuracy of the basic information available when they asked Isio what pension a widow/partner can expect after the death of an RPF member. So PRG raised these concerns with the trustees.

We suggested that Isio publish on their website a simple example and explanation of how, in most cases, a straightforward pension for a widow/partner is worked out.

Clearly, there will be a few occasions relating to a more complicated history of service where calculations are not going to be straightforward and Isio will need to compute the figure.
PRG’s proposal was considered by the trustees’ Administrative Sub-Committee, and we have just received the following response:

‘We identified some content that was no longer applicable, and some areas where the content could be improved to provide greater clarity to the membership. The complex makeup of the RPF’s benefit structure does mean that we face a difficult challenge of providing information that is accurate, accessible, and of benefit to the membership whilst not misrepresenting what members may be entitled to (given that entitlement varies across the membership). The ASC feel that we have found an acceptable balance but would urge members to contact Isio should they have any questions about their own benefits in the Fund.
Isio have been instructed to implement these changes, and this should go live in the coming weeks. We will let you know when this has happened.’

We are disappointed that the trustees have not supported our suggestion, and will be interested to see what improvements are made on the Isio website. However, we have expressed the need for prompt and accurate calculations from the administrator.

We should also mention that some PRG members have recently experienced inaccuracies with other types of calculations from Isio. Moreover, there is an example of personal data such as NI numbers which have been found to be incorrect, though to be fair, the fault could lie with Capita passing on the wrong information.

Nevertheless, it might be wise to check the data that is held about you on the website, and the calculations you receive from Isio.

‘UPDATE’ STOPS PUBLISHING MEMBERS’ DEATHS

Members complained to us about the decision to stop publishing the names of pensioners who died in the previous year in the RPF Update information circular.

PRG pointed out to the trustees that many friendships were formed amongst Reuters staff but some have since lost touch and cannot rely on informal networks for news of colleagues.

We understand the trustees must be mindful of the laws of privacy under the Data Protection Act. However, PRG believes the limited information previously published in Update can be found in the public domain and has asked the trustees to review this decision with their legal team. We will let you know the outcome when we receive a reply.

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We hope that you will continue to keep us informed of your views and any pension problems that have not been resolved through normal channels.

Meanwhile, there are only two years to run with the current agreement for annual inflation increases to members with pre-1997 service. As we have seen in the press, there are changes being discussed that could have impacts on defined benefit pension schemes and their members. PRG will be closely monitoring developments.