The newspaper for retired BBC Pension Scheme members • April 2019 • Issue 2 PROSPERO THE BRITISH WAY OF PENSION FUN AND GAMES SCHEME PAGE 7 | PENSIONS Marital status survey Our thanks to everyone who has provided confirmation of who might be eligible to receive a benefit from the Scheme, after their death. Over 8,000 pensioners have provided this information to date. This information may not have changed since you last notified the Scheme but it is useful to know that the information is still up to date. Even if you do not have anyone to nominate, it will assist us to have Music this information. The BBC Club Ariel Orchestra has appointed Mark Eager to be new Principal Conductor. This is important because it’s best practice to ensure any information we hold about you, and your spouse, Mark is an international conductor who travels the civil partner or nominated dependant, is up to date. The Pensions Regulator, who gives guidance to world as a guest conductor and was a former work-based pension schemes, advises that we maintain accurate records. principal trombonist of the BBC National Orchestra In addition, this information can help the Scheme put in place efficient investment arrangements to match of Wales. The orchestra meets every three weeks expected future payment of pensions. at the BBC Maida Vale Studios and is keen to hear from retired musicians who would be interested in If you haven’t provided this information yet then don’t worry. You can do so by logging onto myPension playing with them. online. Alternatively you should have received a reminder letter from us and a paper form that you can complete and return. If you haven’t received the form and would like to be sent a copy, or if you have any Email: [email protected] queries, please contact the service line on 029 2032 2811 or email [email protected] or [email protected] Canal cruising BBC Club’s narrow boat is now available to hire at greatly reduced rates for Club members and sleeps 2019 pension increase Would you up to seven. It is moored in Anderton in Cheshire. From 1 April 2019, pensions will increase as follows: Training is given at the start of your week! like to sit on See the website for details: - Old and New Benefits members’ pensions in the Pension PENSION bbcclub.com/connect/canal-cruising payment and deferred pensions: 2.7%. Old Benefits TRUST LTD members who elected to receive the Pension Trust Board? Golf Increase Exchange will receive a lower increase, The Board of Trustees is responsible for looking The Golf Society costs £30 per year for Club members; and in some cases, no increase. after the assets of the BBC Pension Scheme and why not join or renew your membership now. - Career Average Benefits (‘CAB’) 2006 members’ ensuring that benefits are paid at the right time to See the website for more details: bbcclub.com/ pensions in payment: 2.5%. the right people. connect/golf or email: [email protected] This year the Board will be holding an election for a - CAB 2011 members’ pensions in payment: 2.1%. Rambling former contributing pensioner to join the Board from BBC Rambling Club organises rambles (usually - A revaluation increase of 2.7% to pensions built 1 January 2020. Being a Trustee is demanding, but the circular) of between 6 and 12 miles every 3rd up to 31 March 2018 for active and deferred CAB work is stimulating and rewarding. Sunday in the Home Counties. Lunch will be at a 2006 members. If you’re interested in pensions and committed to helping local pub, or bring your own. All abilities welcome! - A revaluation increase of 2.1% to pensions built to ensure the continued success of the Scheme, look See the website for more details: bbcclub.com/ up to 31 March 2018 for active and deferred CAB out for the information that will be sent later this spring connect/rambling or email: [email protected] 2011 members. on what’s involved and how to stand for election. Flying Club No discretionary increase over and above those You can also find out more here: The Ariel Flying Club, which has a new home at detailed above has been agreed. bbc.co.uk/mypension/news North Weald airfield, offers subsidised training hours and discounted flying hours, as well as no landing fees and more! See the website for more details: bbcclub.com/ Available throughout the UK to connect/flying or email: [email protected] VOLUNTEER BBC pensioners over age 70 VISITING Yacht Club SCHEME The BBC Yacht Club welcomes all from beginner to Visitors are also experienced ocean sailor. We have two yachts and cater for those who wish to learn, race or just enjoy! Visitors carry ID cards BBC pensioners with them for your See the website for more details: bbcclub.com/ connect/yacht or email: CommodoreBBCYC@ security gmail.com Prospero AGM The Prospero Society AGM will be held in BBC Club Would you welcome W1 on a Thursday – 11 April, 11am – rather than the occasional contact with traditional Tuesday. It is open to all BBC Club former colleagues? We can also offer Prospero Society members, to share views and support during comments about the Society. difficult times such as BBC Club W1 Over 2,000 pensioners bereavement The best place to meet friends and relax after a visit to the West End, the BBC Club retired already use the scheme members’ lunch price is now £6 for one course Meet at home for a chat or and £7.50 for two courses from 1 April and is somewhere public like a available Monday to Friday 12-2pm. coffee shop EE S Club website FF HO O P C The Club Extra section of the BBC Club website is Operates from the undergoing some changes. The Club Extra Offers section has been replaced by a monthly Club Extra Pension and Benefits e-newsletter detailing all the current Club offers. Centre BBC Club Broadcast Centre, BC2 B3, Want to know more about what the VVS has to offer? 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TP Call the pension service line on 029 2032 2811 or 020 8752 6666 email [email protected] [email protected] 2 | BACK AT THE BBC THE BUZZ IN THE PROSPERO Prospero is provided free of charge to retired Scheme NEWSROOM IS FANTASTIC members, or to their spouses and dependants. Prospero provides a source of news on former colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension Rebecca Curran and Martin Geissler (pictured below) issues, plus classified adverts. It is available online are the faces of BBC Scotland’s new nightly flagship at bbc.co.uk/mypension To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. news and current affairs programme, The Nine. Please send your editorial contributions, e caught up with them as they prepared to or comments/feedback, to: go live on Monday 25 February from a brand Prospero, BBC Pension and Benefits Centre, Wnew studio, right at the heart of Glasgow’s Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ Pacific Quay. Email: [email protected] There are just days to go now until the launch. Please make sure that any digital pictures you send How have the pilots been going? are scanned at 300dpi. Please also note that the Martin: Every day is different. News is funny because maximum word count for obituaries is 350 words. the news agenda dictates your day, but there is so much more for us to think about in terms of the programme’s structure. Getting miles on the clock is important because we’re both on-the-road reporters, which means learning a new skill. There is no substitute for hours in the studio before you go on air. Contents Rebecca: I don’t know if is because we are launching something new with a big team of new people but the buzz, enthusiasm and ambition in The Nine newsroom Pensions 2 Martin: Hayley Valentine, editor of The Nine, describes it is fantastic. as a programme, not a bulletin. It’s a digest of the most What have people’s perceptions been when you’ve important information from around the world that day, delivered in a style designed to let you sit back and watch been talking about the new channel? Back at the BBC 3 Rebecca: It’s starting to change now but people were as entertainment as well as a source of information. not really familiar with the channel until all the Rebecca: It is a big investment in journalism in promotion started. When I moved down to Glasgow Scotland and we’re both evangelical about the team. from the BBC in Aberdeen at the end of last year, people The people working on this programme are so creative. would ask me why I was here and I’d say that I had a The stuff they are coming up with is the kind of material Letters 4-5 new job and tell them a bit about it. People have been that will help us fulfil our original journalism ambitions genuinely interested in the channel but also in the news – the kind of stories not currently being told in Scotland. hour and what we’re going to be doing differently. Martin: Everyone, regardless of background, has been Memories 6-8 Martin: People are curious but I’m surprised at the left in no doubt that their voice and their opinion matters. number of people I have had to explain it to.