THE means-tested Pension Credit system has come under fire from local pensioners.
Members of Huddersfield and District Pensioners' Group met their president Rodney Bickerstaffe to voice concerns over the new legislation.
Mr Bickerstaffe was attending the 20th anniversary of Rotherham Pensioners' Action Group on the day the Pension Credit was introduced.
Jean Lorriman, a member of the Huddersfield group, said Mr Bickerstaffe spoke passionately about the need for an adequate earnings-related state pension and an end to means testing.
Mrs Noreen Logan, chairman of Huddersfield Pensioners' Group, said
many pensioners were uneasy about form-filling and reluctant to divulge personal details about their savings on the telephone to strangers.
"It's a problem for many pensioners because they are frightened of forms and of using the phone to give very personal financial details.
"The government's target is that 75% of eligible pensioners claim this credit within three years but that means of 25% are not going to receive it."
Aanyone who was confused about the new Pension Credit could find out more from the Huddersfield Pensioners' Group, she said.
