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B17/1995 MARCH 1995 QUARTERLY ADVICES

Document

DATE OF ISSUE:   16 MARCH 1995

MARCH 1995 QUARTERLY ADVICES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.........................................................6

Associated Departmental Instructions............................................6

Regulation 45A certification...................................................6

Pensioners For Whom An Advice Will Be Generated.................................8

Components for the March Quarterly Advice Mailout.................................8

Indexation..........................................................8

Quarterly Advice Processing...................................................8

Client Impact........................................................8

Partnered to Standard Rate Change.......................................8

Quarterly Advice Processing...................................................10

Client Impact........................................................10

On-line Shares.......................................................10

'Global' Reassessment.................................................10

Quarterly Advice Processing.............................................10

Managed Investments.................................................10

'Global' Reassessment.................................................10

Quarterly Advice Processing.............................................11

Advices - General..........................................................11

ADP Processing.....................................................11

Timetable..........................................................11

Holding of Daily Advices................................................11

Despatch of Quarterly Advices...........................................12

Reprint of Selected Advices.............................................13

Liaison with Ferntree Computer Centre (NCC)................................13

Contact numbers.....................................................13

Indexation of pensions.......................................................15

Reassessment of Managed Investments..........................................15

Payment Details...........................................................15

PAYMENTS TO ARTHUR GUNNER and BARBARA GUNNER.........................15

Managed Investments.......................................................15

GUIDE TO TABLE..........................................................17

Your Right of Review........................................................17

Your Obligations to the Department.............................................17

Changes You Have Already Told Us About........................................19

Indexation of Pensions.......................................................20

Change to Rate of Pension....................................................20

Reassessment of Managed Investments..........................................20

Payment Details...........................................................20

PAYMENTS TO HORTENSE HOWITZER.........................................20

Managed Investments.......................................................22

GUIDE TO TABLE..........................................................22

Your Right of Review........................................................22

Your Obligations to the Department.............................................22

Changes You Have Already Told Us About........................................23

Indexation of Pensions.......................................................24

Shares..................................................................24

Payment Details...........................................................24

PAYMENTS TO BRIAN HAMMEL and SUSAN HAMMEL.............................24

Shares and Securities assessed as PRE 19 August 1992 acquisitions....................25

Your Right of Review........................................................25

Your Obligations to the Department.............................................25

Changes You Have Already Told Us About........................................25

Indexation of Pensions.......................................................28

Reassessment of Managed Investments and Shares.................................28

Payment Details...........................................................28

PAYMENTS TO TOM POUNDER and HELEN POUNDER.............................28

GUIDE TO TABLE..........................................................29

Shares and Securities assessed as ON or POST 19 August 1992 acquisitions..............29

OFFSETTING PROVISIONS..................................................29

Shares and Securities assessed as PRE 19 August 1992 acquisitions....................29

Your Right of Review........................................................31

Your Obligations to the Department.............................................31

Changes You Have Already Told Us About........................................31


Introduction

The Department's Quarterly Advices facility has been designed to enhance communication between the Department and the veteran community.  In general, Quarterly Advices are sent in September, December and March of each year to clients who receive less than max rate pension, and in June to all clients giving full details of recorded investments, client obligations and may include tax group certificates etc.  Advices are sent to service pensioners; some disability pensioners; and some war widows under varying conditions, and may include relevant information from any branch of the department either in the body of the QA or as a separate insert.  From December 1994, changes to the frequency of the advices were made.  Refer to Departmental Instruction No. B38/94 for more details.

2.  The March 1995 Quarterly Advice mailout will incorporate the following events for 30 March 1995:

.CPI increase;

.change from partnered to standard rate for widows (excepting widowed clients whose bereavement period extends across pay day 30/3/95) and separated spouses; and

.managed investment and shares reassessment.

Inserted in this mailout is a pamphlet outlining the Veterans Home Maintenance Helpline' service which is to be introduced by the department from 4 April 1995.  A sample of the pamphlet is included in this DI.

3.  The reassessment processing run and advice production will be conducted on the weekend of 11/12 March 1995.  No fortnightly run for deprived assets, fees or Profit will be done prior to the weekend Quarterly Advice run.  MIs and shares refresh and end POG will be included as part of the 'global' processing.

4.  The major reassessment program ("BAL") will be run to reassess cases affected by any of the events above.  Detailed ADP processing requirements will be sent separately to Branch System Support Officers.

Associated Departmental Instructions

5.  DI B26/92 outlined general principles covering the issue of quarterly advices.  Changes have been made to the format and frequency of advices.  More details can be obtained from the System Rules for the September 1994 QA, and in DI 38/94.

System Support Officers have been provided with copies of the rules for this processing run, entitled March 1995 Quarterly Advices System Rules and Components, which contains details of paragraph wording.

6.  The payment processing is scheduled from Friday evening 10 March till Sunday evening 12 March 1995.  A processing timetable appears later in this instruction.

Regulation 45A certification

7.  The Assistant Secretary of both Benefits Planning & Management and IT Applications Branches in Central Office will attest to the correctness of the new data and the programs used to conduct the exercise.  Certificates in the terms of Finance Regulation 45A will be forwarded to the Authorising Officer in your Finance Branch.


Pensioners For Whom An Advice Will Be Generated

8.  A quarterly advice is to be produced:

(a)where service pension is varied as a result of CPI increase and the new rate received is less than maximum rate;

(b)where service pension is varied by a rate change from separated rate to standard rate for widows (excepting widowed clients whose bereavement period extends across 30/3/95) and separated partners from 20 March 1995; and

(c)where a service pension is varied as a result of the managed investments and/or shares reassessment.

NOTE:  Where those clients who in the above categories are also 'special register', medical institution, or trustee cases, advices are to be produced by NCC and streamed to Branch SSOs for checking and despatching.  A listing will be provided.

A printed enclosures report and 'exceptions' report will be printed at time of production run and sent with streamed advices to Branch SSOs for action.

9.  The estimated numbers of advices for this run are as follows:

CPI adjustment - less than max rate - Married & Single (incl investments and shares reassessments)

59,386

3,500 clients are identified as changing from Partnered to standard rate (widows & sep partners) and may overlap above figures

  3,500

TOTAL

62,886

Components for the March Quarterly Advice Mailout

Indexation

10.  In general terms, service pensions will be increased with effect from 30 March 1995 in line with movements in the consumer price index (CPI), which has resulted in a CPI factor of 1.014 (1.4% increase).

Quarterly Advice Processing

11.  Quarterly advice paragraphs will be produced for service pensioners who continue to receive less than maximum rate pension or who will be reducing to less than maximum rate with effect from 30 March 1995.  The range of paragraphs, the circumstances under which these will be applied and the paragraph wording are shown in the March 1995 Quarterly Advices System Rules & Components document.  Mock-up advices are at Attachment A.

Client Impact

12.  Approximately 63,000 pensioner households will receive a quarterly advice regarding indexation.

Partnered to Standard Rate Change

13.  From 20 March 1995, the rate of pension paid to widows and separated partners will change from partnered rate to standard rate pension.  This change will occur from pay day 30th March 1995.


Quarterly Advice Processing

14.  A quarterly advice will be produced for pensioners whose rate is changed from partnered to standard rate (excepting for widowed clients whose bereavement period extends across 30/3/95).  Clients who receive both max rate and less than max rate will have an advice produced.  The range of paragraphs, the circumstances under which these will be applied and the paragraph wording are shown in the March 1995 Quarterly Advices System Rules & Components document.  Mock-up advices are at Attachment A.

Client Impact

15.  Approximately 3,500 clients will receive a quarterly advice regarding partnered to standard rate change.

On-line Shares

'Global' Reassessment

16.  A 'Global' reassessment run will be conducted for 30 March 1995.  The reassessment program will reassess both pre and on or post 19 August 1992 shares.  Reassessment of on or post 19 August 1992 shares may have a direct effect (due to the MI/shares offsetting provisions) on the income assessed for managed investments.

17.  There may be increases, decreases or continuations as a result of reassessment.  Only clients in receipt of less than max rate on 30/3/95 will be advised (refer to para 14 above for exceptions to this criterion).  All shares acquired before 19 August 1992 are 'saved' and assessed under the old rules.

18.  Payments which may be affected include service pension, DCAO, GA and RA.

Quarterly Advice Processing

19.  Quarterly advice paragraphs will be produced for service pensioners with shares and who continue to receive less than maximum rate pension or who will be reducing to less than maximum rate with effect from 30 March 1995 (refer to para 14 above for exceptions to these criteria).  Additional paragraphs regarding the new offsetting provisions will be included where a person has both managed investments and on or post 19 August 1992 shares recorded in the assessment.

20.  The range of paragraphs, the circumstances under which these will be applied and the paragraph wording are shown in the March 1995 Quarterly Advices System Rules & Components document.  Mock-up sample advices are at Attachment A.

Managed Investments

'Global' Reassessment

21.  A 'Global' reassessment run will be conducted for pay day 30 March 1995.  There may be increases, decreases or continuations as a result of the reassessment.  Only clients in receipt of less than max rate on 30/3/95 will be advised (refer to para 14 above for exceptions to this criterion).

22.  Payments which may be affected include service pension, DCAO, GA and RA.

Quarterly Advice Processing

23.  Quarterly advice paragraphs will be produced for service pensioners with managed investments and who continue to receive less than maximum rate pension or who will be reducing to less than maximum rate with effect from 30 March 1995 (refer to para 14 above for exceptions to these criteria).  Additional paragraphs regarding the new offsetting provisions will be included where a person has both managed investments and on or post 19 August 1992 shares recorded in the assessment.

24.  The range of paragraphs, the circumstances under which these will be applied and the paragraph wording are shown in the March 1995 Quarterly Advices System Rules & Components document.  Mock-up sample advices are at Attachment A.

Advices - General

ADP Processing

25.  Detailed information regarding ADP Processing will be issued to State Systems Support Officers in a separate memorandum.  The Systems Support Officers will be issuing a local processing timetable and should be consulted on any matter concerning ADP Processing.

Timetable

26.  Key time frames of advices are summarised below.  The first processing run will begin on the evening of Friday 10 March 1995.

DATE

EVENT

Fri 10 Mar 95

Cut off for pay period 71 (16.03.95).

Fri 10 Mar 95

Day 1 processing for pay day 72.  Daily advices from this processing to be despatched immediately

Fri 10 Mar (pm) to Sat 11 Mar 95

BAL re-assessment run.

Sat 11 Mar 95

Quarterly Advices processing runs.

Mon 13 until cut off for payday 73

Examiner action on manual schedules for SP & DP.

&

QAs progressively lodged with Australia Post from 15 Mar 1995

Holding of Daily Advices

27.  Cases processed in advance for day 1 of 30 March 1995 should have the daily advice despatched prior to the Quarterly Advice being sent.

28.  Daily payment advices produced after the processing run on 11/12 March 1995 for pay period 72 (30 March 1995) should be held by Branch Offices until confirmation is received from the Quarterly Advices Project Manager in Central Office to release such advices.  This will ensure that pensioners who have pension variations processed for payday 30 March 1995 will receive their daily advice after the quarterly advice rather than in advance of it.

29.  To minimise the number of daily advices to be held whilst quarterly advices are processed, it is suggested that only manual cases and essential processing (such as ISS & Std rate grants) should be processed for pay day 30 March 1995.  General pensions processing should continue unabated but should be submitted for the subsequent pay day ie. pay period 73 - 13 April 1995.

**NOTE:  Daily advices relating to the grant of ISS and/or standard rate (expected to occur on March 30), are to be released as produced.

Despatch of Quarterly Advices

30.  The quarterly advices will be progressively lodged with Australia Post by the mailing house in Adelaide, from Wednesday 15th March 1995.  As soon as each State's advices have been lodged, the CO Project Manager will advise the appropriate Branch contact officer.


Reprint of Selected Advices

31.  Any requests for reprints of individual Quarterly Advices should be referred to Branch Office System Support Officers.

Liaison with Ferntree Computer Centre (NCC)

32.  The Veterans Services Applications Branch will provide NCC with a schedule of computer runs for this exercise.  Benefits SM&S Section will supply an after hours contact number closer to the processing date.

Contact numbers

33.  Any enquiries on the March 1995 Quarterly Advice mailout should be directed to Mary Martin (Client Communications CO&R) on (06) 289 6743.  Facsimile messages should be sent to (06) 289 6553.

NEIL BAYLES

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

INCOME SUPPORT

Mock-up Samples

Mock-up 1

The first mock-up represents an advice type for a service pensioner couple affected by indexation and reassessment of managed investment products.

Mock-up 2

This mock-up represents an advice type for a separated partner of a service pensioner affected by indexation, the change to standard rate from partnered rate and reassessment of managed investment products.

Mock-up 3

This mock-up represents an advice type for a service pensioner couple affected by indexation and reassessment of shares (pre 19/8/92).

Mock-up 4

This mock-up represents an advice for a service pensioner couple (with rent assistance) affected by indexation and reassessment of both shares (pre and on or post 19/8/92) and managed investments.

Mock-up 5

Pamphlet outlining Veterans' Home Maintenance Helpline service.


1

SERVICE PENSIONER COUPLE - Indexation and Managed Investments only

Commonwealth Department of

Veterans' Affairs

BRANCH OFFICE

Centennial Plaza

280 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address:

ARTHUR GUNNER

GPO Box 3994, Sydney NSW 2001

BARBARA GUNNER

1 BLACKPOWDER DRIVE

Telephone:

BOOMTOWN NSW 2222

Metropolitan residents:2137777

Country residents: 1800 11 3304

30 March 1995

YOUR FILE NUMBER IS

Dear Mr and Mrs Gunner

This letter gives you details of your pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.

Indexation of pensions

Service pensions and disability pensions have been increased in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  The new rates will be paid from 30 March 1995.

Reassessment of Managed Investments

Managed investment products have been reassessed from 30 March 1995.  The income and assets values for all your managed investments are detailed separately in this letter.

Payment Details

The fortnightly rate of pension you will receive from 30 March 1995 is set out below.

PAYMENTS TO ARTHUR GUNNER and BARBARA GUNNER

TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENT

$267.90

$267.90

Comprising:

-Service pension

  265.30

  265.30

-Pharmaceutical allowance

     2.60

     2.60

Managed Investments

    Managed Investment

Units

Asset

Value

Rate of

Return/

Cents

Per Unit

Fee

Deduction

Per

Fortnight

Income Per

Fortnight

(Less Fee

Deduction)

GIO LIFE - N - INVESTMENT TRUST - FIXED INTEREST FUND

Ongoing Income Only

4,603

$5,017.27

15.150%

N/A

$29.23


AMP SOCIETY - N -INVEST AC INS BOND FSB/FSB GTD 80%

Fee Deduction Only

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$1.34

-$1.34

MANAGED INVESTMENT INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES

$27.89

Note that for pension purposes all Rates of Return will not exceed 50%.

GUIDE TO TABLE

Ongoing Income Only - Income is assessed as it accrues based upon any dividends and any rise or fall in the value of the investment over a 12 month period.  Ongoing income is only assessed while the investment is held.

Income Plus Capital Growth - In addition to any income distributions that may currently be assessed, capital growth may also be assessable if the investment matures, or it is sold, surrendered, transferred, gifted, or it is fully or partially withdrawn.

Your Right of Review

If you do not agree with a decision affecting your rate of service pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a delegate of the Repatriation Commission.  The Delegate may decide the original decision was correct, or may decide to change it.  If the decision is changed, your pension may be increased or reduced.

Any request for a review must be made in writing within three months of the day you receive this letter.  Your letter should state the specific grounds for your request for review.

Your Obligations to the Department

Your obligations have been explained to you in previous advices.  These obligations still apply, but the relevant income and asset levels may have changed.  These are shown below.

Your service pension is paid under the income test at less than the maximum rate.  You must tell the Department within 21 days if your combined income (apart from Veterans' Affairs pensions) rises above $797 a fortnight.  You must also tell us if the value of your assets (excluding the family home) rises above $240,000.

You can do this by telephoning or writing to us or by visiting any Department of Veterans' Affairs office.  If you telephone, we may ask you to confirm information in writing or to send us certain documents which are related to the matter.

If you do not tell us of these changes you may be overpaid.  Penalties apply for failing to fulfil your obligations or for providing false or misleading information.  The authority for this obligation is under Section 54 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act.


Changes You Have Already Told Us About

If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent.  If so, we will send you another letter as soon as the change has been finalised.

If you have any questions about any of the above matters, please contact this office at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

G K Stonehouse

Deputy Commissioner as

Delegate of the Secretary


2

SERVICE PENSIONER SEPARATED PARTNER - indexation, change to standard rate and managed investments.

Commonwealth Department of

Veterans' Affairs

BRANCH OFFICE

Centennial Plaza

280 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address:

HORTENSE HOWITZER

GPO Box 3994, Sydney NSW 2001

1 EXPLOSIVE AVENUE

Telephone:

CRATERVILLE NSW 2111

Metropolitan residents:2137777

Country residents: 1800 11 3304

30 March 1995

YOUR FILE NUMBER IS NX786450

Dear Mrs Howitzer

This letter gives you details of your pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.

Indexation of Pensions

Service pensions and disability pensions have been increased in line with movements in the consumer price index (CPI).  The new rates will be paid from 30 March 1995.

Change to Rate of Pension

Your rate of pension has been changed to the Standard Rate.  As a result of a 1994 Budget Initiative, Widows and Separated Service Pensioners will no longer be paid at the partnered rate of pension.  From the 20th of March 1995 you will be paid at the higher standard (single) rate.  This higher rate has been included with the indexation increase in your pension payment from 30th March 1995, and is shown in the total pension payment in the payment box.

Reassessment of Managed Investments

Managed investment products have been reassessed from 30 March 1995.  The income and assets values for all your managed investments are detailed separately in this letter.

Payment Details

The fortnightly rate of pension you will receive from 30 March 1995 is set out below.

PAYMENTS TO HORTENSE HOWITZER

TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENT

$324.20

Comprising:

-Service pension

  321.60

-     Pharmaceutical Allowance

      2.60


Managed Investments

    Managed Investment

Units

Asset

Value

Rate of

Return/

Cents

Per Unit

Fee

Deduction

Per

Fortnight

Income Per

Fortnight

(Less Fee

Deduction)

GIO LIFE - N - INVESTMENT TRUST - FIXED INTEREST FUND

Ongoing Income Only

4,603

$5,017.27

15.150%

N/A

$29.23

AMP SOCIETY - N -INVEST AC INS BOND FSB/FSB GTD 80%

Fee Deduction Only

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$1.34

-$1.34

MANAGED INVESTMENT INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES

$27.89

Note that for pension purposes all Rates of Return will not exceed 50%.

GUIDE TO TABLE

Ongoing Income Only - Income is assessed as it accrues based upon any dividends and any rise or fall in the value of the investment over a 12 month period.  Ongoing income is only assessed while the investment is held.

Income Plus Capital Growth - In addition to any income distributions that may currently be assessed, capital growth may also be assessable if the investment matures, or it is sold, surrendered, transferred, gifted, or it is fully or partially withdrawn.

Your Right of Review

If you do not agree with a decision affecting your rate of service pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a delegate of the Repatriation Commission.  The Delegate may decide the original decision was correct, or may decide to change it.  If the decision is changed, your pension may be increased or reduced.

Any request for a review must be made in writing within three months of the day you receive this letter.  Your letter should state the specific grounds for your request for review.

Your Obligations to the Department

Your obligations have been explained to you in previous advices.  These obligations still apply, but the relevant income and asset levels may have changed.  These are shown below.

Your service pension is paid under the income test at less than the maximum rate.  You must tell the Department within 21 days if your combined income (apart from Veterans' Affairs pensions) rises above $797 a fortnight.  You must also tell us if the value of your assets (excluding the family home) rises above $197,000.

You can do this by telephoning or writing to us or by visiting any Department of Veterans' Affairs office.  If you telephone, we may ask you to confirm information in writing or to send us certain documents which are related to the matter.

If you do not tell us of these changes you may be overpaid.  Penalties apply for failing to fulfil your obligations or for providing false or misleading information.  The authority for this obligation is under Section 54 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act.

Changes You Have Already Told Us About

If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent.  If so, we will send you another letter as soon as the change has been finalised.

If you have any questions about any of the above matters, please contact this office at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

G K Stonehouse

Deputy Commissioner as

Delegate of the Secretary


3

SERVICE PENSIONER COUPLE  - Indexation and Shares (pre 19/8/92).

Commonwealth Department of

Veterans' Affairs

BRANCH OFFICE

Centennial Plaza

280 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address:

BRIAN HAMMEL

GPO Box 3994, Sydney NSW 2001

SUSAN HAMMEL

1 ROUND CIRCUIT

Telephone:

CAPITAL NSW 2111

Metropolitan residents: 213 7777

Country residents: 1800 113304

30 March 1995

YOUR FILE NUMBER IS NX555550

Dear Mr and Mrs Hammel

This letter gives you details of your pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.

Indexation of Pensions

Service pensions and disability pensions have been increased in line with movements in the consumer price index (CPI).  The new rates will be paid from 30 March 1995.

Shares

Your shares have been reassessed from 30 March 1995.  The income and assets values for all your listed shares are detailed separately in this letter.

Payment Details

The fortnightly rate of pension you will receive from 30 March 1995 is set out below.

PAYMENTS TO BRIAN HAMMEL and SUSAN HAMMEL

TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENT

$202.60

$202.60

Comprising:

-Service pension

   200.00

   200.00

-Pharmaceutical Allowance

       2.60

       2.60


Shares and Securities assessed as PRE 19 August 1992 acquisitions

Share

No. of

shares

Asset

Value

Dividend (Cents per share)

Income Per

Fortnight

CRA LTD.- $1.00 ORDINARY FULLY PAID

5,200

$32,240

7.2129

$14.40

BROKEN HILL PTY. LTD - $1.00 ORDINARY FULLY PAID

3,540

$49,614

8.5996

$11.70

M.I.M. HOLDINGS LTD - 50 C ORDINARY FULLY PAID

1,913

$4,801.63

5.0000

$3.68

TOTAL PRE 19/8/92 SHARE INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES

$29.78

Your Right of Review

If you do not agree with a decision affecting your rate of service pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a delegate of the Repatriation Commission.  The Delegate may decide the original decision was correct, or may decide to change it.  If the decision is changed, your pension may be increased or reduced.

Any request for a review must be made in writing within three months of the day you receive this letter.  Your letter should state the specific grounds for your request for review.

Your Obligations to the Department

Your obligations have been explained to you in previous advices.  These obligations still apply, but the relevant income and asset levels may have changed.  These are shown below.

Your service pension is paid under the income test at less than the maximum rate.  You must tell the Department within 21 days if your combined income (apart from Veterans' Affairs pensions) rises above $797 a fortnight.  You must also tell us if the value of your assets (excluding the family home) rises above $240,000.

You can do this by telephoning or writing to us or by visiting any Department of Veterans' Affairs office.  If you telephone, we may ask you to confirm information in writing or to send us certain documents which are related to the matter.

If you do not tell us of these changes you may be overpaid.  Penalties apply for failing to fulfil your obligations or for providing false or misleading information.  The authority for this obligation is under Section 54 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act.

Changes You Have Already Told Us About

If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent.  If so, we will send you another letter as soon as the change has been finalised.


If you have any questions about any of the above matters, please contact this office at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

G K Stonehouse

Deputy Commissioner as

Delegate of the Secretary


4

SERVICE PENSIONER COUPLE WITH RENT ASSISTANCE - Indexation, Shares (pre & post 19/8/92) and Managed Investments.

Commonwealth Department of

Veterans' Affairs

BRANCH OFFICE

Centennial Plaza

280 Elizabeth Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Postal Address:

TOM POUNDER

GPO Box 3994, Sydney NSW 2001

HELEN POUNDER

100 FIRE LANE

Telephone:

BATTERY TOWN 2456

Metropolitan residents: 213 7777

Country residents: 1800 113304

30 March 1995

YOUR FILE NUMBER IS NX121212

Dear Mr and Mrs Pounder

This letter gives you details of your pension payment from Veterans' Affairs.

Indexation of Pensions

Service pensions, disability pensions, maximum amounts of rent assistance and rent thresholds have been increased in line with movements in the consumer price index (CPI).  Indexation of rent thresholds may result in a variation of rent assistance for some pensioners.  The new rates will be paid from 30 March 1995.

Reassessment of Managed Investments and Shares

Managed investment products and shares have been reassessed from 30 March 1995.  The income and assets values for all your managed investments are detailed separately in this letter.

Payment Details

The fortnightly rate of pension you will receive from 30 March 1995 is set out below.

PAYMENTS TO TOM POUNDER and HELEN POUNDER

TOTAL FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENT

$224.80

$224.80

Comprising:

-Service pension

   190.00

   190.00

-Rent Assistance

     32.20

     32.20

-Pharmaceutical Allowance

       2.60

       2.60


Managed Investments

    Managed Investment

Units

Asset

Value

Rate of

Return/

Cents

Per Unit

Fee

Deduction

Per

Fortnight

Income Per

Fortnight

(Less Fee

Deduction)

GIO LIFE - N - INVESTMENT TRUST - FIXED INTEREST FUND

Ongoing Income Only

4,603

$5,017.27

15.150%

N/A

$29.23

AMP SOCIETY - N -INVEST AC INS BOND FSB/FSB GTD 80%

Fee Deduction Only

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$1.34

-$1.34

MANAGED INVESTMENT INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES

$27.89

Note that for pension purposes all Rates of Return will not exceed 50%.

GUIDE TO TABLE

Ongoing Income Only - Income is assessed as it accrues based upon any dividends and any rise or fall in the value of the investment over a 12 month period.  Ongoing income is only assessed while the investment is held.

Income Plus Capital Growth - In addition to any income distributions that may currently be assessed, capital growth may also be assessable if the investment matures, or it is sold, surrendered, transferred, gifted, or it is fully or partially withdrawn.

Shares and Securities assessed as ON or POST 19 August 1992 acquisitions

Share

No. of

shares

Asset

Value

Rate of

Return

Income Per

Fortnight

JUPITERS LIMITED - 25C CTG ($1.10 UNPAID PREMIUM)

250

$425.00

21.42%

$3.50

BORAL LIMITED - 50C ORDINARY FULLY PAID

53

$221.01

50.00%

$4.25

M.I.M. HOLDINGS LTD - 50C ORDINARY FULLY PAID

47

$117.97

7.11%

$0.32

LESS TOTAL FEE DEDUCTION AS DEDUCTIBLE INCOME

N/A

ON OR POST 19/8/92 SHARE INCOME AND FEES FOR PENSION PURPOSES

$8.07

Note that for pension purposes all Rates of Return will not exceed 50%.

OFFSETTING PROVISIONS

For pension purposes, any fees or negative income included in the assessment of managed investments or shares can be offset against any positive income assessed against ongoing managed investment income or listed shares assessed as acquired on or post 19/8/92.  The total for fees, ongoing managed investment income and income from listed shares assessed as acquired on or post 19/8/92 is shown below.  Note: if this total is negative, no income is recorded for service pension purposes.

TOTAL INCOME FROM SHARES ASSESSED AS ON OR POST 19/8/92 and ANY ONGOING MANAGED INVESTMENT income.

$210.57

Shares and Securities assessed as PRE 19 August 1992 acquisitions

Share

No. of

shares

Asset

Value

Dividend (Cents per share)

Income Per

Fortnight

CRA LTD - $1.00 ORDINARY FULLY PAID

5,200

$32,240

7.2129

       $14.40

BROKEN HILL PTY LTD - $1.00 ORDINARY FULLY PAID

3,540

$49,614

8.5996

       $11.70


M.I.M. HOLDINGS LTD - $0.50 ORDINARY FULLY PAID

1,100

$4,950

9.1980

$3.89

TOTAL PRE 19/8/92 SHARE INCOME FOR PENSION PURPOSES

       $29.99

Your Right of Review

If you do not agree with a decision affecting your rate of service pension, you may apply to have it reviewed by a delegate of the Repatriation Commission.  The Delegate may decide the original decision was correct, or may decide to change it.  If the decision is changed, your pension may be increased or reduced.

Any request for a review must be made in writing within three months of the day you receive this letter.  Your letter should state the specific grounds for your request for review.

Your Obligations to the Department

Your obligations have been explained to you in previous advices.  These obligations still apply, but the relevant income and asset levels may have changed.  These are shown below.

Your service pension is paid under the income test at less than the maximum rate.  You must tell the Department within 21 days if your combined income (apart from Veterans' Affairs pensions) rises above $227 a fortnight.  You must also tell us if the value of your assets (excluding the family home) rises above $290,500.

You can do this by telephoning or writing to us or by visiting any Department of Veterans' Affairs office.  If you telephone, we may ask you to confirm information in writing or to send us certain documents which are related to the matter.

If you do not tell us of these changes you may be overpaid.  Penalties apply for failing to fulfil your obligations or for providing false or misleading information.  The authority for this obligation is under Section 54 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act.

Changes You Have Already Told Us About

If you have told us recently about a change to your income and assets or your domestic situation, it may not have been processed before this letter was sent.  If so, we will send you another letter as soon as the change has been finalised.


If you have any questions about any of the above matters, please contact this office at the address or telephone number shown at the top of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

G K Stonehouse

Deputy Commissioner as

Delegate of the Secretary
5

Toll Free Number

?

1800 80 1945

AVAILABLE FROM 4 APRIL 1995

VETERANS' HOME MAINTENANCE

HELPLINE

Many members of the veteran community need access to home maintenance services to enable them to continue to live in their own homes.

In recognition of this the Department of Veterans' Affairs has arranged a Veterans' Home Maintenance Helpline to commence on 4 April 1995.  The Helpline will:

?provide advice and information on home maintenance matters including referral to trades people, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday;

?provide referral to a reasonably priced Home Inspection Service, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.  This will enable you to plan for all your immediate and longer term home maintenance needs; and

?provide advice and referrals to trades people for home emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The matters you may need to phone about could range from replacing a fuse to installing a new bathroom.  For large or small jobs, the Helpline will give you advice on how to proceed and suggest the right service to meet your need.

The Helpline advice is free.  In the majority of cases, you will need to pay for the work done by tradespeople.  This may involve the payment of a call out fee.  The Helpline will, wherever possible, link you to Government subsidised services such as Home Help and Handyman services.

If you have a trades person call to your home, the Helpline staff may contact you by telephone or post to ensure that you are satisfied with the service that was arranged.

The repairs that need to be undertaken on your property may be covered by insurance.

Building and Contents Insurance Claims

In the case of emergencies ring the toll free number 1800 80 1945.

In all other cases first contract your insurance company if you think that any damage to your home may be covered by your insurance policy.  If you have either building or contents insurance through Defence Services Homes Insurance you should first contact numbers and locations are in the white pages under the heading of Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Subsidised Loans

If the work to be done is not covered by insurance, you may need to consider borrowing some funds to pay for larger repairs or modifications.

A Defence Service Homes loan can be used to help pay for such repairs or modifications.

However, in considering using a loan, you will need to be sure that the cost of the work justifies the expense of the load establishment fee and mortgage documentation.

To determine whether any assistance can be made available, contact your local Defence Service Homes office before entering into any firm commitment.

Further information about your new telephone helpline will be forwarded in July this year.