Coronavirus Update

Date: 24th March 2020

Dear members

 

The situation surrounding Coronavirus is fast moving, however, we can assure you that we are monitoring this closely and doing everything we can to provide as full a service as possible whilst also adhering to the latest advice from the UK Government to manage any consequences for our members, staff and their families.

 

Following the announcement from the Government urging home working where possible, we can advise that with effect from Tuesday 24 March, the Gwynedd Pension Fund will be operating a restricted service which will enable staff to comply with this advice.

 

Measures are in place to ensure that we can continue to pay pensions and administer the scheme when dealing with any significant event, such as death benefits and retirement benefits. However, by restricting access to our offices there will be a disruption to printing and postal services which is likely to result in a delay in us responding to any postal requests/queries and a further delay in correspondence being posted from us.

 

We would ask that you consider only contacting us during this time if you are informing us of the death of a member or your enquiry is in relation to the payment of your retirement benefits, the answer to most queries in relation to your pension can be found by visiting our website www.gwyneddpensionfund.wales

 

If you do need to contact us we would recommend doing so by send an email to: pens@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or, as a last resort call us on 01286 679 982.

 

We would also encourage you to register for our Member Self Service portal, if you have not already done so, so you can carry out your own retirement estimate calculations, update your address and much more.  You can sign up to this service at: https://aelodau.cronfabensiwngwynedd.cymru/

 

Finally, there has been news lately about the fall in stock markets and the potential resultant impact on pensions, however, we would like to reassure you that your LGPS defined benefit pension is not linked to stock market performance and the benefits are instead set out in statute. Our members can therefore be assured that both their contributions and their pension will be unaffected.  Please note that this statement does not apply to any in-house AVC contributions you may be paying to our in-house provider Clerical Medical which may be impacted by the fall in stock markets.

 

Please note the latest information and advice on the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

Thank you

 

Meirion Jones

Pensions Manager