Government pensioners have been warned their pension will be stopped if they don’t return a declaration of entitlement.

More than 7,200 letters were sent out on October 7 by the Public Sector Pensions Authority.

All pensioners in receipt of a public sector pension or allowance have to complete a declaration of entitlement form.

Each individual’s identity and signature must be authenticated by a witness.

The letter warns: ’Please note that failure to complete and return the form within one month may result in your pension being suspended.’

Retired police officer Paul Chambers said: ’The pension has been paid into our joint account, under the same names, in the same account and at the same Isle of Man bank for the last 10 years.

’Each year we fill in an Isle of Man tax return that includes the full details of the pension payment.

’Being people in a high-risk category we are still following Covid-19 safety procedures, so we must put ourselves at risk to follow the instructions of the letter in order to get the letter witnessed and continue to receive the pension.’

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One retired teacher said: ’It just seems ludicrous.

’It’s such a waste of public money and an unnecessary waste of time and energy on my part - as well as thousands of others.

’I believe the only reason in law they can stop my pension is on my death!’

She said some pensioners may not be fit enough to leave their homes to get the form signed, as required, in front of a professional person such as a bank official.

A spokesman for the PSPA said this was a routine exercise carried out every three years. Pensioners who live outside of the Isle of Man are contacted annually.

He said the aim was to ensure that pensions - including injury allowances and dependent pensions - are paid to the right people and at the correct rate.

A total of £74m of public funds was paid out in 2019-20 to pensioners in the Isle of Man, UK and further afield.

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The PSPA took over responsibility for carrying out the checks in 2017.

’No pensions are stopped without further extensive attempts to contact the recipient,’ said the spokesman.

’If there has been no response to the first letter, a second will follow around six weeks later encouraging the recipient to engage with the PSPA and provide proof of identity.’

He said the PSPA may be able to witness the form for on-island residents, but only if the individuals attend in person to the PSPA office, with photographic ID (such as passport or driver’s licence) and proof of address, in the form of a recent utility bill.

For those who live outside of the Isle of Man, their identity and signature must be authenticated by an official witness who knows them, such as a bank official or solicitor, who must sign and stamp the form.

Allowances are being made in light of coronavirus restrictions and anyone affected in this way is urged to contact the PSPA by calling 685598 or emailing [email protected]