THE Golden Age team will break new ground next month when it stages its first pension surgery . It will be the highlight of a busy few weeks in which the team will hold four separate events across the district. The four-hour surgery will take place at t

THE Golden Age team will break new ground next month when it stages its first "pension surgery".

It will be the highlight of a busy few weeks in which the team will hold four separate events across the district.

The four-hour surgery will take place at the village hall in Parson Drove on July 9, from 10am to 2pm.

Staff from the local Pension Service and Fenland District Council's benefits team will be on hand to make sure that older people are not missing out on any benefits they could be claiming.

They will give information and advice on private and state pensions and anyone aged over 60 will be offered a full, confidential check on their entitlements to see whether they are eligible for pension credit, council tax benefit, disability living allowance, carer's allowance, attendance allowance and other related benefits.

Councillor Mac Cotterell, portfolio holder with responsibility for older people, said: "Many people are very confused about what their pension entitlements are. It is one of the most important questions that the over-60s ask as they seek to make themselves secure in their old age. Once again Golden Age is leading the way in finding new ways of helping them.

"Unfortunately, many people mistrust Pensions Local Services because they think they are some kind of private pension sellers. In fact, as part of the Government's Department of Work and Pensions, they are there to provide independent and trustworthy advice."

Three days before the surgery, the team will be putting in one of its regular appearances at the Fenland @your service shop in March on July 6.

And later in the month a Golden Age fair will be held in the community centre in Tydd St Giles on July 29, with representatives from a wide range of organisations serving the elderly. This will be followed by a visit to the Fenland @ your service shop in Chatteris on August 3.