Mature Times wins back RAF veteran's pension

By Jayne Warren - 15/09/2008

 For four years before Mature Times’ intervention, Dr Jackson had pursued his claim for three years of unpaid State Pension in vain.

 

The error occurred after Dr Jackson moved: the high-level confidential work he has carried out in his career meant that changes of address were not allowed to be made public. But the DWP, who kept sending letters to the old address, which were returned unopened, simply didn’t bother to trace him through his bank or the medical register - even though they, of all people, should have been aware of the protocols surrounding confidential contact details.

 

So the DWP simply decided to “suspend payments due to unsuccessful attempts to contact him”. A shocked Dr Jackson asked for what was owed him - but they turned him down and appeals for help to his MP and local papers came to nothing.

 

After the Mature Times printed his appeal, a reader from Leighton Buzzard, horrified by Dr. Jackson’s plight, offered his help. As a retired researcher and specialist Parliamentary adviser, he had the inside track on how the “system” works. The reader, who wishes to retain his anonymity, told the Mature Times: “I was astounded that the DWP had taken away Dr. Jackson’s pension  - and he could so easily have been traced!  But they just didn’t bother. And the fact that I was also ex-RAF gave me an extra spur to win justice.

 

“Fortunately, I knew where to find all the legislation, which goes back as far as 1995, although it was slow, painstaking work. You wouldn’t believe the brick walls I had to kick down. I also got a lot of help from Andrew Selous, MP for South Beds - the one person who really helped. Frankly, most would fall at the first hurdle and give up - which is what happens.”

 

But our reader persevered. In the end his submission to the Secretary of State highlighted over 20 supporting examples of case law, and in his legal argument he identified the incorrect application of the legislation in Dr. Jackson’s case. He added:  “I knew this was the last chance of getting anywhere - because the case had passed out of time and was technically dead in the water.”

 

However it was worth it. They won the case, plus a compensation payment. The official response reads: “... I am satisfied that not all of the correct procedures were followed when your entitlement was terminated ... No backdating restrictions should have been applied ... I would like to apologise for the errors which were made in the withholding of this money in the first place...”

 

But it’s not quite over. Dr Jackson and his legal champion are now going for an expenses claim as well. Dr Jackson said: “Thanks to the Mature Times and the reader I have won. But there must be many pensioners like me in the same position. So I say to them, don’t give up. Fight for what is rightfully yours.”

 

Dr Jackson is contributing a large part of his payment to charity. As he says, “I did this out of principle. I hope that my case may now open the door to other pensioners getting their back payments returned to them.”