Q1 What is the problem with the current plan?
A1 There is no provision in the Plan requiring indexing to RPI for Pre 97
pension contribution. HPE can make discretionary payments but have chosen
to make only made 3 discretionary annual increases in the last 22 years. These
small increases meant that individual pensions have decreased in value causing
some members severe economic difficulty.

Q2 Are the company aware of the perceived problem?
A2 HPE have been made aware on several occasions directly by HPPA and via
the Trustees as to the magnitude of the issue and the impact on their
pensioners

Q3 How have HPE reacted to the issue?
A3 HPE have been unresponsive, indicating recently that they believe they are
following what most other companies with discretionary increase options are
doing, largely implementing 0% increases.

Q4 What is the position of the HPE Pension Trustee Board?
A4 Whilst the Trustee Board are aware of the issue they state their primary
responsibility is to safeguard accrued benefits. They meet with HPE board
annually to review the plan. HPPA have an annual meeting with the Trustee
Board. Conversations with the HPE Trustees are ongoing.

Q5 Are the UK Government aware of the pension issue?
A5 Yes. Both previous and present governments have been made aware of the issue.
During 2024 the issue has been raised several times in the House. All 4 local
Ayrshire MP’s are now directly involved and the UK Pensions Minister has been
contacted and made aware of the pension discretionary award deficit. There is
a planned meeting with the Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds and several
other MPs.

Q6 If so what has been their response?
A6 The local Ayrshire MP’s are all very supportive and have promised to make
the appropriate representations in the UK Parliament. More than 75 MP’s
including those from Reading have been contacted for support.
The response from the current Government is encouraging and a formal
response has been requested to questions regarding pre 97 issues. As a result
of Alan Gemmell’s MP question in the House on 11/11, there will be a meeting of the 4 Ayrshire MPs (and possibly others) and Minister Emma Reynolds. And
the Minister has said that the government will respond to the report issued by
the Pensions Select Committee of the previous government.

Q7 Do Digital Pensioners in other countries have the same issue?
A7 No, this is a UK specific problem and pension plans and legislation varies in
other countries.

Q8 Are other companies offering 0% discretionary increases?
A8 There are a number of companies in the UK, including US owned that are
denying discretionary payments to their pension schemes. More than three
quarters of UK Defined Benefit pension schemes provide indexation on scheme
benefits before 6 th April 1997.

Q9 How much progress has been made?
A9 Whilst a number of groups and individuals have taken up this issue with the
Company and the Pension Trustees progress has not resulted in any change to
company behaviour, nor the scheme or legislation. That being said enormous
progress has been made in making people aware of the issue and getting
media and political support through the work of the HPPA team.

Q10 What are the next steps?
A10 There are many actions planned and underway including more media
coverage. HPPA is seeking further legal advice for future action. HPPA
continues to try to work with the Trustee. Board A key message PDF including
our “4 asks of MP’s” has been created for the use of MPs. An Alliance of
pensioners in companies that are being denied discretionary increases has
been created. We are also designing an event for the Reading area.

Q11 How can others get involved?
A11 Ex-Digital Pensioners can get involved by further communication of the
issue through contact with their MP and thru social media. Information and
presentation packs are available to assist pensioners in communicating the
issue. Please share with your friends and colleagues and refer to the website
https://hppa.org.uk/ for information