CLAIMING YOUR PENSION.

[Currie]

Dundee Courier, Wednesday, September 23, 1908

CLAIMING YOUR PENSION.
Questions to be Answered.
Hints to Applicants.
(Special to the Courier.)

To-morrow you can obtain at any Post Office in the United Kingdom, including the one in your own little village—yes, even at the little shop with pipes and picture postcards on the window-sill and the walls papered with Government circulars—a form of claim for an old age pension. Steady now, you grey-haired boy; don’t dash away like that! You'll frighten the postmaster. Rest a bit.

Your Nationality.

First, now, make sure that you are seventy years of age, or within four months of that age. Then you must satisfy yourself that you are a British subject; that is, that you have been born in the United Kingdom, or born abroad of British parents and maybe had a British grandfather as well; or been a naturalised Briton for the past twenty years; or born within the British dominions and have resided within the dominions for the past twenty years. An occasional absence from the country (doing the grand tour perhaps, or a Cook’s trip to Norway, or a holiday in the Isle of Man) won't matter, provided your absences from home all added together do not exceed eight years out of the twenty. If you have been abroad for part or most of the twenty years serving in the British army or navy, or as a sailor on a British ship, don’t worry on that account, as it’s all right; there is provision made for such absence. Now, you must stir up your memory and recall the names of the places where you have lived during the last twenty years. The postmaster is sure to ask you that!

Your Income.

Then you have to tot up how much you have coming in per week in money. If it is more than 12s 1d a week, or £31 10s for the year, you needn’t trouble the postmaster for a paper. What? Not 12s 1d a month, you say! All right, off you go and see the postmaster! He’ll give you a form free of charge, and help you to fill up the claim, and witness your signature, or help you to make a cross if you cant write, and tell you if you have wilfully stated anything that is untrue you will be liable to six months’ “Hard.” And at your age, too!

Your Age.

Now you think because you have satisfied the Postmaster it’s all right. But it isn’t. The Pension Officer (the man that used to come about your dog) looks you up one day. And he wants to know such a lot! “ Have you a birth certificate?” he asks. “No? Then you should write to the Registrar-General in Edinburgh, and tell him the year you were born and the parish, and he’ll make a search and, if possible, give you a certificate. He'll charge you 3s 1d for the search. If you have a friend in Edinburgh he could search the register himself by paying a shilling. But let’s see, perhaps you have a certificate of service in the army or navy, or certificate of membership of a Friendly Society or Trade Union or such like, or certificate of marriage? Any of these might do, you know.” If you have got none of these certificates, and can’t get one, the pension man might possibly be satisfied if you show him your name in the old family Bible, where your dad had proudly entered your name if you were first on the list. Or he might be satisfied if you give him references to one or more persons who have “known you all your days,” and who could certify that they knew you to be seventy. Failing all this, if you are sure you are seventy, and make a declaration on oath before a Justice of the Peace to that effect, it might satisfy the pension authorities. If it doesn’t, then they are too hard to please.

Money Matters Again.

But you haven't done with the Pension Officer yet. He wants to know some more about your income. If you have only a few shillings a week, who feeds you? Who clothes you? Who gives you boots? Who pays the rent? Have you any money not invested? How much is the free board and lodging worth that your married daughter gives you? Then he tots it all up, and reckons it as “income.”

Establishing Your Character.

Then will he dare? Will he have the cheek to ask the other questions? Have you worked hard all your days? Have you been in gaol in the past ten years? If you are strongly built he will hesitate, and likely take a quieter alternative. The Pension Committee must have the information, so he will get over the difficulty, if he is wise, by asking you for references. The names and addresses of your employers, or parish ministers, or policemen, or schoolmasters, or fish cadgers, or poor inspectors, or any other respectable persons you have ever known in all the parishes you have ever been to in the last twenty years—any two of these may satisfy him.
Wait a bit, he’s not yet quite satisfied; not quite. He'd like to ask you if you have had any poor relief since 1st January, 1908. He hesitates, then says to himself, ‘‘I’ll spare the old chap’s feelings,” and makes straight for the Inspector of Poor.

A Few More Points.

Thank goodness, he has gone, and I'll just stop a minute longer to tell you a few more points. Failure to pay or relief from payment of rates will not disqualify you. If your wife has an income and you are applying for a pension, your income will be reckoned at not less than half of your joint incomes. If she is applying, the same rule will hold. Benefits got from any charity organisation will not be reckoned as poor relief, but will likely count as part of income. The Pension Committee will send you notice if your claim is allowed They cannot refuse your claim without giving you an opportunity of attending their meeting and speaking in support of your claim. If you are unable to appear, doubtless they would allow someone to speak on your behalf. When granted, you can cash your pension at any Post Office you name.




Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Thursday, September 24, 1908

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

To-day there will be many new callers at the Post office. Henceforth the postal officials, whether their lot be cast in busy city or secluded village, will have a new duty to perform in handing out to those who apply for them forms of claim for an old age pension. Numerous as have been the explanations published of the new scheme many applicants are sure to have difficulty in setting forth their claim, but no one need despair, for every assistance will be given by kindly officials and others. Persons who are eligible need not hesitate in claiming the pension. There is no shame attached to it. If their lives fulfil the conditions laid down by the State they deserve the little help that is given them, and no false pride should keep them from accepting what is really their due.




Aberdeen Journal, Saturday, October 17, 1908

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,
PROOF OF AGE FOR OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

Sir,—Will you allow me a word in support of the suggestion that the old parish records, or at least those of them dating from 1820 to 1854, which were only removed to Edinburgh in 1885, should be returned to the local registrars?
There can be no question as to the advantage this would be to those who are trying to trace their birth record with, in many cases, a very hazy notion of either the time or place of its occurrence. Even when there is no actual record of a birth itself, contemporary records referring to relations, and so on, could often be found sufficient to satisfy the most exacting, were these registers available for examination by the pension officer personally. Then the fact that these registers were left in the care of the local registrars for thirty years after the passing of the 1855 Act gives evidence that the Government of the day recognised the convenience of their local retention so long as they would be freely required for reference purposes. The only plea for retaining them in Edinburgh is that of safety; and so long as the parish registrar's only protection for them was a tin box, it was a good one. But now, when every self-respecting parish has a properly equipped safe, these records would be just as safe there as in the Register House, and, as I have pointed out, much more convenient and valuable to those to whom they really belong.

The difficulty in having them returned, however, lies in this—that they were taken to Edinburgh by Act of Parliament—Sec. 6, 1860—which would require to be repealed before they could be returned—no easy matter in these days of dragging legislation. But there are always possibilities, and I would suggest that every local registrar take the first opportunity of calling the attention of the member of Parliament of his district to this question, to see if something cannot be done to not only relieve the present congestion at Edinburgh, but to make the wheels of the pension scheme work much more smoothly all over the country. A like experience compels my sympathy with “Registrar” in his trouble with death registration and insurance, but the only thing that will effect a cure would be to compel insurance concerns of all kinds to satisfy themselves when the insurances are effected, with such documentary evidence of age as to leave no doubt or quibble when a claim becomes due. Then, and then only, will an insurance policy become of any value as a proof of age.—I am, etc.,

ANOTHER REGISTRAR.
16th October, 1908.



Dundee Courier, Saturday, December 26, 1908

POST OFFICE FEAR SILVER MAY RUN SHORT
TO PAY OLD AGE PENSIONS ON JANUARY 1.

The provision of an adequate supply of silver to meet the payments to old age pensioners on January 1 (in Scotland on January 2) is engaging the attention of the Postmaster-General.
An order has been issued pointing out that it is “very important that there should be no failure on the part of the Department” in paying the pensions on those days, and post-masters and sub-postmasters are “specially enjoined” to take every precaution for the due provision of silver to meet such payments.
At sub-offices, the sub-postmasters are required to estimate as nearly as possible the total amount of pension orders likely to be presented at their offices, and if it should appear that the silver in hand will not be sufficient, they are instructed to apply for the necessary amount.
In the meantime, they are instructed to hoard up silver, and avoid giving change as far as possible. In places where there is a bank, the assistance of the bank is, if necessary, to be invited. Evidently the fear of running short of silver on pension day is seriously troubling the Post Office authorities.



Dundee Courier, Saturday, December 26, 1908

MORE PENSION ANOMALIES.

Every day seems to reveal a new defect in the Old Age Pension Act which comes into operation next week. The measure was rushed through Parliament at a speed which made thorough examination of its provisions impossible. Its promoters had not even time to explain where the money was to come from. All that is known even yet is that the Government will have to provide more money than they anticipated, and that they are trying to decide from which particular “hen-roost” it is to be appropriated.
Legislation conceived and enacted in a hurry is never satisfactory, and the imperfections of the Old Age Pension Act are very obvious. Old persons who have amassed hundreds of pounds, and are consequently able to buy comfortable annuities for themselves, are to get the full pension, while the poor wretches who have been forced through adverse circumstances to take relief from the Parish Council are to get nothing. Callous injustice of that kind ought to have been made impossible.
It transpired only yesterday in Perthshire that an old woman who bravely engages in outdoor work and earns almost £25 per annum is on that account to have her pension cut down to three shillings per week! Cases are recorded, too, of widows born in England who have been disqualified because they married foreigners. It is hard that these women should suffer merely because their husbands did not take out letters of naturalisation.
Old age pensions are welcome, but it is surely not too much to expect that they should be distributed fairly and equitably.




Will the Post Office run out of silver? or will everyone feel too much shame and false pride to even turn up? Will the old parish records be returned to the local registrars? Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?

Be sure to catch the next exciting episode of “Claiming Your Pension.”

Alan

[nelmit]

These are brilliant Alan and I love the Dundee Courier's writer's sense of humour.

I'm glad claiming mine was a bit more straightforward.

Kind regards,
Annette

[AndrewP]

I believe that it was the arrival of the Old Age Pension that settled the spelling of names for many people. Until then, the spelling was not of great importance; the spoken word was more important. Upon the arrival of the Old Age Pension, people had to be able to show who they were and how old they were. The spelling of the name adopted at that time is likely to be the spelling still used after a few generations have since passed.

All the best,

AndrewP

[SarahND]

That's interesting, Andrew. I wonder if the pendulum will swing back in the future, when the spelling of names gives place to facial recognition or DNA...

Best,
Sarah

[Currie]

Thanks all,

Well it seems the Post Office didn’t run out of silver, and the old parish records, thankfully, weren’t returned to the local registrars. I’ve no idea what happened to Heironymus Merkin and Mercy Humppe, or why their movie title has been in the back of my mind for over 50 years. I can’t remember seeing the movie but recently watched the trailer and was glad I couldn’t.

Some more old-age pension news.


Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Friday, January 1, 1909

THE OTHER SIDE OF OLD AGE PENSIONS.

One of the disadvantages of the Old Age Pensions Act has hitherto, I think, been overlooked. It is this, that large employers will do no more for their aged employees. Already the Duke of Westminster and others have announced their intention of ceasing all the pensions they have hitherto generously given, which means that the ratepayers must pay them instead. Large landed proprietors, and, indeed, small ones, too, have hitherto considered it necessary to provide for their worn-out servants. Now, as soon as a man or woman is past his prime, he will be turned away in favour of young ones. The tragedy of the old clerk or the old domestic servant, or even the charwoman, will be great indeed; and no old age pension of five shillings~given according to the capricious conditions of the law, without personal feeling or kindness—will compensate. Faithful service must go for nothing, the legal liability only will be considered. Tho moral effect, too, will be bad, for rich people will cease to care for and help their poor dependents, and leave them to the tender mercies of the law.—Lady Violet Greville, in The Graphic.


Dundee Courier, Monday, January 4, 1909

WOMAN OF 98 IS FIRST-FOOTER AT GLASGOW.
CROWN PIECES BOUGHT AS MEMENTOES.

“This is the best New Year we have had for thirty years,” was the remark of an old couple as, linked arm-in-arm, they entered the head Post Office at Glasgow.
The first-footer at Glasgow was an old woman of 98, who had tramped from the outskirts of the city to the chief office. “I did not want the neebors to ken,” was her explanation to the officials why she had not gone to the branch office.
At no time was there any rush to cash pension coupons.
The oldest applicant at Glasgow was aged 104. Her daughter, aged 73, also had a claim honoured. As if awed by the occasion, most of the pensioners were too timid to at once enter the Post Office without some preliminary reconnoitre.
Poverty made some eager to secure their pension money, but pride led others to seek collection in districts not their own. Women were six to one compared with men, and few gave evidence of having passed three score and ten. Invariably were applicants tidily dressed. Few were able to give signatures.
An old woman who carefully put away two half-crowns in an antiquated and dilapidated purse was heard to say, “A’m that gled ma haun’ will not keep frae shakin’.”
Of 8000 entitled to pensions at Glasgow, fully 3000 received the full amount. Thirtyseven have died since their claims were lodged, one old lady breathing her last as the postman left her coupons. Another pensioner was buried yesterday, whilst at Irvine a miner created a scene because he did not receive his wife's pension. She had died on New Year's day.
Many crown pieces were bought and sold at enhanced values as mementoes.

CENTENARIAN AT ABERDEEN.
One old woman bent with the weight of nearly ninety years declared at Aberdeen that it must be godly men who were at the head of the affair. The majority of the applicants had pieces of thick brown paper, which they tightly tied round the coins, as they were minus purses. A pension for a woman of 102 years was given out.


Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Tuesday, January 5, 1909

MANY GLASGOW PENSIONS NOT YET DRAWN.
It was reported at Glasgow Central Post Office yesterday that although the staff remained on duty till eight o'clock on Saturday night, only 140 out of the total of 324 pensions payable at the head office were applied for. It is, of course, well-known that pensioners may claim their money at any time within three months. Matters were quiet at the General Post Office yesterday, only about half-a-dozen pensioners drawing their money.


Dundee Courier, Thursday, January 7, 1909

RATHER GO TO GRAVE THAN POORHOUSE,

Says Pedlar John Lonie, who, Disappointed in not getting Pension, is Found in Eden at Cupar.
The River Eden at Cupar has claimed another victim.
About ten o'clock last night, while two young townsmen were walking at the Carthaugh, they observed what they took to be the body of a woman floating in the river opposite Mr Watt's seed warehouse. They promptly notified the police, and the body was taken out at the Tarvit Bridge. It proved to be that of John Lonie, a pedlar, who had been singing in the streets and hawking bootlaces during the day.
Lonie was an old, greyhaired, diminutive-looking man of eighty-two years, and belonged to Leslie. He pursued the calling of a fish-cadger until he was well over threescore years and ten, and was well known in many Fife villages. He was an applicant for an old age pension, and was refused by Cupar District Pension Committee under the improvident clause of the Act.
On Friday he presented himself at Cupar Post Office and inquired, “Is this the place whaur they pey the pensions?” On being asked if he had a book of orders he replied “No; no as yet, but I’m a gaun-aboot buddy, and maybe they dinna hae my address.” He was deeply disappointed at not receiving a pension. He was advised to go to the Poor-house, but he replied he would rather go to the grave than to the Poorhouse.

“NAE PUIRHOUSE FOR ME.”

Yesterday afternoon, in the interval of his street singing, he had an interview with a prominent citizen, who advised him to seek the shelter of the Poorhouse. “There,” said the citizen in question, “you will have every comfort, and play dominoes the whole day long.”
“Na, na,” he still exclaimed; “nae puirhouse for me. I’ve lived ower lang the free, unfettered life tae gang tae the cauld cheer at Thornton.”
The old man was very low-spirited and dejected, and hinted that ere the day was done he would be found in the river. He was given alms and kindly entreated to go to a lodging house, and steps would be taken to try and get him on the pension list.
After the removal of the body from the river it was taken to the belfry of the Parish Church, where, with the wind whistling through the open window, the work of searching the body was made, first by match-light, then by candle-light, and latterly by the aid of an oil lamp. It is high time a mortuary was provided for the burgh.



Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Wednesday, January 27, 1909

OLD Age Pension.—The man has the best chance of reaching three score and ten who goes in for healthy exercise, as cycling on a Reilly cycle. Price from £4 10s. Reilly’s, Perth Rd.



Evening Telegraph, Dundee, Monday, February 8, 1909

M‘LAREN CLAN AT BRECHIN.
Bailie Asks Peter About His Old Age Pension.

The M‘Laren Clan were out in full force at Brechin Police Court today. Donald Whyte and Helen M‘Laren were charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday afternoon. They appeared in Court with two young children, and pled guilty. The Prosecutor said that the male accused fell at the Prentice Neuk with a lot of hoops round his neck, and was nearly strangled with them. The accused was up a month ago. A fine of 10s, or fourteen days, was passed on each.
Peter M‘Laren is a tall strapping fellow for his years (78). On Saturday he strolled into too many public-houses, with the result that his legs refused to stroll straight, and Peter was charged with being drunk and incapable.
Peter—It’s the first time I have ever been convicted in my life, sir
Bailie Dakers—You are not convicted yet. Have you got the old age pension?
Peter—Oh, no.
Bailie Dakers—Why is that?
Peter (smiling)—Oh, sir, I was born in Perthshire, and I suppose they can't get my birth.
The Bailie let him off on condition that he left the town for two months.
Henry M‘Laren was also in the same fix on Saturday, and the Bailie took a lenient view of his condition, and also dismissed him on condition that he left the city at once.



Bailie Dakers seems to be making a habit of running M’Larens out of town.
It’s probably time for me to start looking for something christmassy, or maybe just some crass advertising a la Google..

All the best,
Alan