I have a customer who I will be visiting next week. I am visiting him in my capacity as a Housing & Council Tax Benefit Assesor, however I know he has questions about his REA which I had hoped to try and explain to him. Unfortunately I don't know the answers though !!
He receives REA at the max rate due to white finger ( he was a miner)
He will be 60 yrs old in Jan 2009 and has the option to take his miners occ pension, but I am unsure if this will affect his REA ?

Is there an earnings threshold ? Are Occ Pensions even regarded as earnings for this ?

I suppose I am trying to find out if it will be beneficial to him to defer his pension, or request a lump sum rather than larger monthly amounts ?

If anybody can assist me in understanding REA I would be very grateful