A FRIEND OF MINE BROUGHT THE SUBJECT OF STATE PENSIONS UP LAST NIGHT TELLING ME HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER WITH A FORM TO FILL IN ABOUT THE EFFECT HIS 2 PRIVATE PENSIONS WOULD HAVE ON HIS STATE PENSION. HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED GAINFULLY FOR NEAR ON 50YRS AND PAID INTO HIS STATE PENSION FULLY DURING THIS TIME. HE HAD THE FORESITE EARLY ON TO TAKE A PRIVATE PENSION TO MAKE HIS RETIREMENT A LITTLE EASIER AND THEN TOOK OUT ANOTHER PENSION TO BOLSTER THE FIRST THINKING HE WOULD NOW NEVER STRUGGLE FOR MONEY. ALL 3 PENSIONS HAVE NOW MATURED. NOW HE TELLS ME THAT BECAUSE OF THIS THEY WANT TO CUT HIS STATE PENSION,CAN THIS BE RIGHT?SURELY IF YOU PAY INTO A GOVERNMENT PENSION YOU GET IT WHEN YOU REACH RETIREMENT AGE OTHERWISE WHY WOULD YOU PAY INTO SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET.WHY I ASK SHOULD IT MATTER WHAT INCOME YOU HAVE THROUGH PRIVATE SOURCES OR ON HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE SAVED IN THE BANK FROM A LIFETIME AT WORK. ARE YOU NOT NOW RETIRED? PERSONALLY I THINK HE'S BEING SHAFTED. IF YOU SAVED INTO A SCHEME WITH YOUR BANK OFFERING HIGHER INTEREST OR GUARANTEED INCOME AND DIDN'T GET IT YOU WOULD TAKE THE BANK TO COURT WOULD YOU NOT?. I WOULD WELCOME ANY ADVICE THAT MIGHT HELP HIM OR HELP IN SENDING HIM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION