Dear C-Planner, N-Planner or E-Planner,

THE WEBSITE

Although the C-Plan is the main part of the "Defined Benefits" section of the IBM Pension Scheme(s), we are including discussions of the other related plans (mainly N, E, A, B, Q and T Plans).

As we understand the pension situation better we are updating the C-Plan website with new material. In the last 3 weeks we have added:

1. A pointer to the Times article (dated 17 October)
2. Some correspondence from Jeff Rooker MP (DSS).
3. News about Resolutions for IBM Shareholders Meeting 2001
4. An item about IBM Pensions in South Africa (worth reading)
5. Clippings from Private Eye about the British Airways Pension Fund.

The Message Board contains some interesting new discussions - well worth a browse.

The material available on the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) website (http://www.opra.org.uk/") is well worth a read. Recommended is "A Guide for Pension Scheme Trustees" at "http://www.opra.gov.uk/publications/guides/index.shtml"

CONTACTING OTHERS

The C-Planner's Group membership is growing well, but we do need more.

IT IS IMPORTANT that to contact as many C-Plan members as possible. PLEASE dig out your old address books, and call you old friends. Print down the "Aims and Strategy" page of on the website. Make several copies then post a copy to old collegues. KEEP A COPY OR TWO IN YOUR WALLET/HANDBAG FOR GIVING TO FRIENDS WHOM YOU MIGHT MEET SHOPPING. PUT A FEW COPIES IN YOUR CAR for the same reason.

If you know people who have left the company to work elsewhere, please tell them as they may still be members of the IBM C-Plan.

DON'T FORGET TO DISCUSS this subject with your friends and acquaintances and to tell them about the website. There are still many IBM C-Planners who do not know what is happening to their C-Plan pension fund. So please pass the word and ENCOURAGE THEM TO REGISTER ON THE WEBSITE.

Many retirees do not have access to email, so consider becoming an "EMAIL BUDDY" - ask them if you can register their name, status and region details on their behalf. We do not yet have the resources to handle physical mail, but if you act on their behalf we can then include them as part of the group.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

Don't forget to write to OPAS with your complaints - do so to register your concern with them. If you are concerned about the legislative aspects then you should also write to your MP (if you do, please refer them to the website - it saves you having to write it all out again!). To find out who your MP is visit:

• http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/alcm.htm
• http://www.libdems.org.uk/
• http://www.labour.org.uk/
• http://www.conservative-party.org.uk/

If you have written or are going to write to your MP, please inform Alan Murphy (murphy@enterprise.net) who is compiling a list of MPs contacted.

IBM SHARE OWNERS

If you own one or more IBM shares then you may wish to checkout the page

KEEPING US INFORMED

Finally - remember that if you change your email address to let us know via the Registration Form on the website. We do not want to lose contact with you!

Yours sincerely

Mike Eacott (Membership Secretary for the C-Planners' Group)

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