ROA News & Alerts
PSPC Briefing : HM Treasury launches consultation on Public Service pensions Cost-Cap mechanism
July 2021
Please click here to view further details.
Financial support from The Charity for Civil Servants
11/09/2020
Life throws up many challenges, and frequently they go hand in hand with money worries. Particularly at this current time, financial worries can be intertwined with fears around the pandemic.
The Charity can help with all sorts of financial issues, whether your income has suddenly reduced from job loss or ill health, or whether you’re unable to pay for essential items that need replacing. You may have taken the steps to leave a relationship and need to move on, or you may have lost someone and find it hard to cope financially, as well as struggling with bereavement.
They can’t promise to pay for everything you need, but they’ll work with you to understand what they can help with, and look at your individual needs in confidence and without judgement.
For further information about the many ways the Charity can help, take a look at their website or call to speak to an Adviser in confidence on Freephone 0800 056 2424
Chairman’s Brief to ROA Members
30/03/2020
I feel that in these very difficult times I should update members on matters currently impacting on the ROA.
The first very unpleasant task is to inform you all that our Treasurer Peter Haddock passed away very suddenly in Tenerife, on Monday 23rd March 2020, having suffered two strokes. Peter always spent several months during the winter in Tenerife.  Peter was cremated on Friday 27th March and his ashes will be returned to the UK in due course when the family hope to hold a memorial service for him. I will try and keep you informed on these as and when I am made aware  He will be greatly missed by all, especially myself and he does leave a huge gap in the Committee. His enthusiasm and drive to his task was outstanding.
Ken Hicks has stepped forward and stated that he will undertake the task of Treasurer. Thank you very much Ken you are a pillar of strength.
I know that some of you are very concerned in respect to the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect on our AGM/Reunion in Harrogate. I share your concerns and have contacted the hotel to see where we stand in respect to our contract with them. The lady whom I am dealing with has come back to me and stated that under the terms of our contract we can cancel up to 28 days prior to the event. I do not at this stage want to have a knee jerk reaction as I am hoping that this pandemic will have dissipated by September at the latest.
As of today I have 26 members who have applied. The numbers at this point in time are well down on previous years and I understand the reason, but we cannot run our AGM/Reunion on such numbers.  Therefore, I have decided that the closing date of 1st May 2020 will be extended. I have until the beginning of September 2020 to make a decision. I do not want to cancel outright and have said to the hotel that should this pandemic continue well into the summer then I will postpone the 2020 AGM/Reunion until Oct 2021 and still go to the Crowne Plaza, Harrogate. I feel that the hotel is under these circumstances being more than fair with us, so I want to be fair to them. This would be an unprecedented step never taken before, but in today’s climate I must think of the Association and its members
The date as stated on the Application for final payment is the 1st August 2020 and I am prepared to accept full payment up to that date, forsaking the deposit payment date. This, should the AGM/Reunion go ahead, allow me time to collate names, bank cheques, forward list of those attending to the hotel, complete the Programme and write a speech.  I hope that you all bear with me on this matter and I know that if I have to cancel then it is out with our Constitution, but we are living in very strange times.
The Association has, some years ago, almost had to close down due to lack of funds. Thankfully, we are not currently in that situation.   Having said that we do not have extensive amounts in our bank account and it must be managed with care. We do our best to keep the cost as low as we can get it and therefore my message is we, the Committee, are working hard to keep the ROA going with whatever support and advice we can offer, but we cannot do it without your support.
Both myself and Jenny hope that you all stay safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing as many of you as can make in Harrogate. If anyone has any queries or concerns then myself or David King are here.
Geoff Heal Chairman MDP ROA
Annual Contribution
A reminder from our Membership Secretary that in addition to the Life Membership fee of £20, there is an annual contribution of £5 per family household payable to the association.
IMPORTANT: You could be owed a tax refund
For full details please click here
If you pay tax, there’s a fairly high chance you’ve paid too much!
Over 1 in 3 taxpayers have paid more tax than they needed to after being given the wrong tax code by HMRC.
Checking you’ve been given the right tax code is even more important now, as there are new tax allowances that if you’re entitled to use them, could see you losing over £662 this year alone if you miss out.
If you wish to use this service, the main facts you need to know are:
- Your review is FREE if you do not get a tax refund
- For every £1 you get back off HMRC, you keep 62p (minimum fee £38*)
- You also keep ALL the money you save where you get a new tax code
To find out if you are due a refund click here
This is your hard earned money. Why let The Revenue keep it?
* If your refund is under £38, the minimum fee will be reduced to the same value as your refund so you have nothing more to pay.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Call The Tax Refund Company Customer Service Team on
0161 968 7345 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) or see our FAQ’s at www.thetaxrefundcompany.co.uk/faqs
Since the late 1980’s, when a number of retired officers made it known that they wished to maintain contact with their ex-colleagues’ and friend’s, the Retired Officers Association has grown in strength.