If you claim any state or council benefits, you must declare if you are in receipt of a local government pension as well. Even if, for some reason, you have declined to receive a pension you are entitled to, you must still declare it.
The Audit Commission produces the National Fraud Initiative report every 2 years showing the results of a data matching exercise which compares records of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local authorities and local authority pension funds.
This report has been very efficient in highlighting people claiming fraudulently.
The authorities concerned take a very hard line on this type of fraud and guilty parties are required to repay monies overpaid and, in some cases, have faced prosecution.
The National Fraud Initiative report also details any local government pensioners who have taken up re-employment within local government anywhere in the country.
It is, therefore, important that you inform us of any re-employment in local government.