Questions and Answers

Use the link on the left only to ask a question about joining or the running of the Lucas/TRW Pensioners Association. Your question may get a direct response, it may not: at the very least it will help us to see where we need to add to or amend what is already on these information pages. Discussion about the Pension Fund and pensions matters is made within the FORUM part of this website. The FORUM is open to members only.

Q: Does the association have a 'home'? Does it have an address and telephone number? Where do meetings take place?
A: The association is presently 'of no fixed abode' and any meetings that may be called are held wherever it best suits those attending. The association does have a Post Office box number from which mail is collected.
Lucas/TRW Pensioners Association
PO Box 12183
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 1ZR

Q: How is the association being publicised?
A: We are mainly dependent on word of mouth and to talking to groups of pensioners who meet socially. We are trying some limited advertising and would welcome suggestions as to how we might contact those pensioners we are not reaching.

Q: If I join the association as a Life member, will I be committing myself to any future costs in addition to my joining fee?
A: No. Membership fees have been set at a level that we think will adequately cover day-to-day running costs and system maintenance. If something crops up that we haven't thought about, if we agree that it looks worth doing, and if we need to boost the kitty to handle it, then Life members could well be the first port of call, but on a purely voluntary basis. (And if we find we can't fund it, then we won't do it).

Q: If I join the association, will my details be held securely in the association's files and not used for any other purpose?
A: Yes - the Data Protection Act applies, and all information will be held subject to that Act.

Q: The government has brought in new legislation to protect the members of pension schemes whose funds get into bad shape: does this mean that the assets of our well-managed fund might be raided to subsidise other less well-managed funds?
A: The government has created the Pension Protection Fund and this has powers to charge a levy on pension funds to assist in funding a guaranteed level of pensioners to those in funds which failed after April 2005.

Q: What is the financial situation of the TRW Pension Fund?
A: As at 31 March 2006, the Scheme Actuary confirmed that the Scheme was still in surplus. Visit the TRW Pensions site for more details.

Q: When I die will my widow be able to continue my membership of the association?
A: Yes, provided that she will be in receipt of a widows pension in that event, or have a deferred pension entitlement.

Q: Who initiated the setup of this site?
A: A group of pensioners who were concerned that major changes were happening to the company ownership at a time when pension funds, in general, were passing through difficult financial conditions.

Q: Will I be able to locate 'lost' Lucas/TRW friends from my days at Shaftmoor Lane in the sixties?
A: It isn't intended that you should be able to do this through the association. Its objectives are purely to do what it can, when it can, to help protect retirement benefits.