Tuesday 21 February 2023

Death of Police Widow Eileen Hillery

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Police Widow Eileen Hillery of Darlington, who died in Darlington Memorial Hospital on Saturday 28th January 2023, aged 86 years.

Eileen was the wife of the late Inspector Thomas William Hillery, who died on 17th August 2019, aged 85 years.

She leaves daughter Sharon, son-in-law Colin, grandson Adam and his fiancé Teo; son Ian, daughter-in-law Anne and granddaughters Alex and Joanna and her husband Matt.

A funeral service took place at 12 noon on Friday 17th February 2023 at the West Cemetery Chapel, Darlington.

Our thoughts are with Eileen’s family and friends at this sad time.

Monday 13 February 2023

POLICE PENSION / STATE PENSION

 When you reach state pension age, you will be notified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and awarded your pension accordingly. 

The DWP then has a responsibility to notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who then notify your Police Pension Provider; this will be Durham Constabulary for those who received their Police Pay and subsequent Police Pension from them.

State Pension is a taxable income, but not taxed at source, and the purpose of HMRC’s notification of your State Pension is to facilitate the adjustment of your Tax Code, in order to ensure that you are paying the correct amount of Income Tax.

Notification between these various bodies usually takes around 2 months. You will also notice a slight reduction in your Police Pension as per Police Pension Regulations.

It has come to our attention that HMRC has, in some cases, delayed notification to Police Pension Providers, resulting in a number of retired police officers having increased tax deductions from their Police Pension. HMRC may well come to some arrangement for the ‘back tax’ to be spread over a number of months, rather than taking the increased and unexpected deductions over a short period of time.

If you are due to qualify for your state pension, once received, it may be advisable to contact HMRC and request that prompt notification of such made to your Police Pension Provider. Hopefully this will prevent you being in arrears with them and your income tax is proportionally distributed throughout the tax year.

Death of a retired Police Officer: PC 1380 John (Jack) Mather

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer: PC 1380 John (Jack) Mather of Consett, who died in University Hospital of North Durham on Friday 27th January 2023, aged 81 years.

Jack joined Durham County Constabulary on 1st April 1962.  After his initial training and probationary period, he was a beat officer before transferring to Traffic Patrols (North End), working in the court office at the end of his service, retiring in June 1984.

He is survived by wife Ruth and son Richard.

A funeral service will take place at 1.15pm Thursday 16th February 2023 at Mountsett Crematorium, Ewehurst Road, Dipton DH9 9JP.

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to the Salvation Army / Dogs Trust.

Following the funeral friends and colleagues are invited to Consett Golf Club.

Our thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends at this sad time.

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