Pension 'debt' woe continues for retired Inverness plumber and family
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THE wife of an Inverness plumber facing ruin over a £1.2 million pension scheme “debt” has told how the shocking situation is taking a toll on her and her family.
Jennifer Menzies said the strain was terrible as, despite cross-party political support for a legislation change to sort out the pension nightmare, the prospect of a breakthrough seems distant.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has urged UK pensions minister Guy Opperman to come to the Highlands to meet plumbers who have been hit with massive pension bills, and told him he was heartened to hear his officials are open to suggestions on what might be done to help those in trouble.
Mr Stewart wants the minister to hear from Mrs Menzies’ husband Murray (71) who has received estimated debt demands from the multi-employer defined benefit scheme, Plumbing Pensions.
Mr Stewart said: “There seems to be widespread consensus that a change in the law is long overdue to protect Mr Menzies and others from financial ruin.”
Mr Stewart was also encouraged by reports commending Plumbing Pensions for making some helpful proposals.
Mrs Menzies said: “This should have been a very special year as it will be our 50th wedding anniversary, my 70th birthday, and our eldest daughter’s 50th, but we are unable to make any plans to celebrate these happy events because of the uncertainty of our future.
“Instead of taking life a bit easier, Murray has been forced back to work in order to pay legal fees.
“Well-meaning folk don’t fully understand our plight and we are told quite often that ‘it will be all right, things will work out.’
“However, the reality is that it may not work out and we will be left destitute and homeless as a result of a situation we are not responsible for.”
Mr Menzies said: “My wife and I wait with trepidation the next telephone call, email or letter from this pension fund. Our lives have been consumed with worry and fear about the future.”
Mr Stewart has secured support from Moray MP Douglas Ross – Scotland’s new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State – in calling for changes to be made to the pension scheme’s one-size-fits-all approach.
Mr Ross is supporting Elgin plumber Jimmy Wiseman (53), whose “debt” is £1.7 million.
Mr Menzies’ nightmare was triggered when he retired in 2015. He has no way of paying the bill, and selling everything he owns would only cover a fraction of the “debt.”
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