IN Britain, people's awareness of their pension rights is startlingly low. At any one time, about seven million people only have a state pension.
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners are entitled to Income Support but do not claim and one million people, with access to an occupational scheme, have not joined.
It is crucial that people start to think about making provision for retirement but, too often, they do not know where to turn for help. That's why the TUC, the Department of Social Security, employers and pensions helpline offer no-nonsense information for those seeking help on pensions.
If you want to find out about your rights, call the freephone helpline on 0800 0 28 22 67. The six week pilot helpline will run until Friday, August 13.
JOHN MONKS, TUC General Secretary, Great Russell Street, London WC1 and Stephen Timms, Pensions Minister, Department of Social Security.
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