§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish the text of the letter currently being sent to pensioners advocating the payment of pensions through bank accounts rather than at post offices.
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§ Mr. ArbuthnotThere is currently no letter going from this Department to retirement pensioners advocating the payment of pensions through bank accounts rather than at the post office.
People approaching retirement age are sent a pack containing a claim form covering all payment methods and leaflet AC 1 explaining payment to an account, including Girobank and National Savings accounts at post offices. Copies of the pension claim form and this leaflet are available in the Library.
§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether it is Government policy to seek by voluntary means a reduction in the proportion of pensions paid through post offices.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotOur policy is to offer pensioners the choice of receiving their benefit over a post office counter or having it paid directly into a bank or building society account, including Girobank and national savings accounts at post offices.