“I think that’s the most reassuring bit of the business knowing that there’s goodwill emanating from [Anglican Financial Care] towards the members and that they do in fact care about the members…”
I think the [Pension] Fund has been magnificently handled by the managers and the establishment of the Health Fund is a real benefit to us retired clergy. The thing is, we cope very well with day-by-day living but when we get something, like my wife’s recent hearing aids, the bill is a bit of a dent in our little savings. We have money with the Retire Fund to pay for my funeral and my wife’s got a small one to pay her funeral with the KiwiSaver. So, other than that we live very happily, contentedly, and are greatly helped by the Pension Fund which has steadily grown over recent years. I don’t know how they manage it!
We’re very pleased with the Fund and are most grateful to the team behind it who over the years have always been polite, gentle and welcoming the odd time I drop in with a medical claim or something like an application for a grant to the Health Fund. The people at the desk never say, “oh, what do you need this for?” or anything nasty like that. They are most welcoming and very accepting.
My dealings with [Anglican Financial Care] have always been a) helpful and b) very cheerful at the desk. You never went to the desk and got a grumpy reply!
Without a shadow of a doubt, a simple clergyman like I am would not have been able to manage to assemble the funds we are getting from the Church and you know that you will always be honestly treated. You always feel if you’re with a company you could get taken for a ride and I think that’s the most reassuring bit of the business, knowing that there’s goodwill emanating from [Anglican Financial Care] towards the members and that they do in fact care about the members as individuals and not just as clients who they make money out of.
I used to be part of a Pension Board, the Wellington Diocesan one, so I know it [Anglican Financial Care] existed in goodwill for the members. My experience over the years has always been most helpful and encouraging. I know that wonderful investment team for example often give freely of their time to look for the best interests of the members. I don’t know whether they’re “good” in the normal sense of the word in their parishes or whether they are just businessmen who have a conscience and willing to give of their skills to Anglican Financial Care. I don’t know but whatever it is, there’s that confidence of goodwill towards the members which I think is the greatest thing. You’ll be heard sympathetically and sometimes I’m told you can get a welfare grant. We’ve never needed it I’m glad to say.
