NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2019 web: www.bbcpa.org.uk e: [email protected] hristmas is a season of celebration, rebirth, Crecollection, colour and joy. We remember too, days of our childhood and absent friends and MORE TO DO! family. It is an ending of old resolutions and new ones to think about with the start of the New Year. he BBC Pensioners’ a hard act to follow. I’m TAssociation has been sure, that all our members, A 16 PAGE looking at what we offer to myself included, wish him you, the members, and how well and thank him for a ISSUE! we can do even more. major contribution to the PAGE 1 way the BBCPA is run. This next year our aim is At the AGM in April Alan Seasons Greetings to make all members enjoy Bilyard also stepped down. New Members the sense of community we Alan has generously agreed PAGE 2 felt whilst working at the to stand in until we find Membership Sec. BBC. With this new way of a volunteer to take over Notes. thinking, with the increased the reins. These two roles Treasurer’s Notes deals and website, Mail- are vital to maintaining chimp and publications, the the standards we have set PAGE 3 BBC Pensioners Association ourselves as a Committee. BBC Pension Scheme now offers even more Needless to say, we are Report value for a relatively small looking for volunteers to PAGE 4 membership fee. fill these roles and help us continue to offer a first Regional Meetings With increased membership class service to members. PAGE 5-8 involvement we can do even Photo: Fellicity Dennistoun Last but certainly not least Spreading the light at more. We do need input and year. Maurice Maguire, the I want to thank the Committee Christmas contributions from you, our Membership Secretary, is for their input and support over members, to complement what stepping down in April 2020. He the past year. PAGE 9 the hard working Committee has made a terrific contribution Message from the DG achieve. Together we can add to to the way we organise our Finally, may I wish all Birth of the Beeb members, on behalf of myself making life after the BBC more systems; from setting up a new PAGE 10 fulfilling. database to navigating new data and the Committee, our very regulations and integrating our best wishes for the Season. Those were the days The Committee and members MailChimp and Newsletter Buying a New TV? are facing a big change next communications. He will be Albert Barber (Chairman) PAGE 11 What’s on offer by streaming A WARM WELCOME TO THE MANY NEW MEMBERS 2019 PAGE 12 Down by the Riverside Barry Austin Andrew Dixon Gordon Howe Gerry Quinn Elizabeth Bale Evelyn Draper Christopher Irwin Hilary Ransom-Rose PAGE 13 Geoffrey Beech Gerald Ellis Ann Jenkins Ernie Rea Christmas ‘Scraps’ Julia Bicknell Eric Fitzgerald Roger Jephcott Brian Richards Before TV was invented John Black Carmen Fletcher Sharon Johnson Ian Rose Stephen Blatchford Mary Fourt John Jordan Eileen Sawdy PAGE 14 Alastair Boath Alison France Stewart Kelly Barry Seaman Cardif Pensions Move Denis Bourne Mavis Fulton Patrick Lambert Shirley Sherlock Cassie Braban Mignon Gallagher Raymond Lee Denise Simpson Early days of OB’s Beryl Brennan Peter Gallimore Anne Lount Peter Skinner PAGE 15 Raymond Bridges John Garson Chris Lowe James Stewart Harold Briley Robert Geoghegan Susan Martin Anthony Swainson Notices and Jeff Brown Steve Grey Brenda May Jill Tansley Discounts Charles Buckley Elizabeth Hagerty Susan Moir Martin Taylor PAGE 16 Evelyn Carter Christopher Harding Alan Moore Philip Taylor Derek Clarke Virginia Hardy Lesley Nicholls Daniel Warren TOP Quotes, Julie Cogill Maggie Harwood Kevern Oliver Chris Wyatt Radio Times Margaret Connell John Hawkins Pamela Poole Farewell Romeo Cordani Anthony Hemmings Derek Powell Mary Dick David Hider John Prescott-Thomas 10 Ways to avoid a cold Page 1 THE ALAN BILYARD’S BBC PENSION SCHEME 2019 MEMBERSHIP THOUGHTS FOR 2019 to bring together regions, Report and Financial Statement SECRETARY nations, even friends and families once we are back on I’M STILL HERE the rails again whenever that BIDS FAREWELL will be. As a pensioner of TOTAL MEMBERSHIP PERFORMANCE Well, you may have thought some years I even wonder if I that I had resigned earlier will see it all restored to that it is the Chairman, Albert this year after 20 years in proud nation that we once The total number of Scheme beneficiaries at 31 March 2018 The Scheme’s assets produced a return of 6.3% in the year Barber’s avowed intention office! You would have been were. was 49,272* excluding dependants, 1.6% less than last year. ended 31 March 2019. Over the last five years the Scheme’s ADIEU, to increase the number quite right in thinking that investments have generated an annualised return of 11.6%. of social activities for but as we have not found my At 31 March 2019 the value of the fund stood at £17.3bn. FAREWELL, IT’S members, so that spirit replacement yet I agreed with IT’S ODD THOUGH MEMBERSHIP compared to £16.6bn the previous year can be kept alive and Albert, our chairman that I indeed flourish. would continue keeping the One of the odd things TIME TO SAY MEMBERSHIP 2019 2018 books until someone offered though is that the economy MOVEMENT OF THE FUND GOODBYE their services. I am grateful is bouncing along quite A BEACON TO however to other members well. Even inflation is being Contributing members 9,337 9,827 of the committee who have reasonably controlled and The 2019 Scheme Accounts show that total contributions After a thoroughly enjoyable, taken up some of the other the pound is not doing half Deferred members 28,430 28,927 over the year were £195.1m, of which the BBC contributed though busy four years as ALL tasks that I handled as well as badly abroad. The exchange £194.3m. Outgoings were £518.9m, giving net withdrawals Membership Secretary, the finances of the Association rates always seem to be at Pensioners 24,273 24,079 from dealings with members of £323.8m. Investment income other pressures have led me Above all, it should be so my load is much lighter their worst for us when we are net of expenses was £271m. The market value of the to tender my resignation and, a beacon to all in the now. It is amazing how many going abroad in the summer Total 62,040 62,833 Scheme’s assets rose during the year by £706.7m. as it were, return to the ranks rather altered BBC of other jobs stick to you over (is that just coincidence?) following next year’s AGM in today. In an uncertain the years as my committee but now that we are back * Membership numbers in the table above are higher as Scheme’s assets rose during the year by £729.1m. members can hold more than one record. For example, April. I’d like to take this era of broadcasting it colleagues will testify. But home spending our money CHANGES TO THE TRUSTEE BOARD opportunity to pay tribute is vital that we hold I am happy to continue to on heating lighting and existing members who joined the Career Average Ben- to my fellow Committee aloft the founding and help out until a new person soon Christmas presents efits 2011 section from another section of the Scheme members, not only for their fundamental standards arrives. Are there any offers the pound’s strength has may have a deferred pensioner record for their benefits • On 1 May 2018 Grant Cassidy was re-elected as a hard work on all our behalfs, and principles which out there? returned despite all the chaos built up in the Old Benefits, New Benefits or Career -Av Member Nominated Trustee. but also for their friendship made the Corporation of BREXIT. (There, I have erage Benefits 2006 sections and a contributing record and support throughout the great and which I hope said it again – sorry). for their Career Average Benefits 2011 benefits. • On 1 June 2018 Catherine Clayton was appointed as many happy meetings I’ve the Association, with A an Independent Trustee. had the privilege to attend. your valued support, will The Scheme closed to new entrants on 1 December 2010. continue to promote for RAMSHACKLED BBCPA FUNDS • On 31 December 2018 Bill Matthews resigned as an many years to come. ACTUARIAL VALUATION Independent Trustee and Chair of the Board. EXTRAORDINARY I wish you all a very Happy YEAR The BBCPA’s own funds have Christmas. not exactly bounced back to Every three years the Trustees arrange a full actuarial valu- It has, moreover, been a joy So we are nearly through this their former glory but they are ation of the Scheme. The valuation gives a snapshot of the • On 1 January 2019 to meet and interact with so Maurice Maguire ramshackled year. Politically doing very nicely. After last cost of providing benefits to be paid to members (the lia- Catherine Claydon many ‘ordinary’ members the nation is in an awful state year’s (2018) drop in income bilities) and how that compares to the value of the assets. was appointed of the Association who are and so many important issues to £28K I am pleased to say The last full valuation was carried out with an effective date Chair of the Board. indeed extraordinary in their are being held up as a result that we are now on track and of 1 April 2016 and revealed a shortfall of £1,769m.