PRIVATE sector occupational pensions have been exposed to market conditions for some time, and while the hits do not ever hurt the top people, it has been noticeable that public sector workers seem to be exempt.

In my last years of employment I worked in local government. But I did work quite a while in private industry, and I can say that whoever I worked for I did not have an easy time – I had to pull my weight.

I did expect that sooner or later a government would remove the protection of pensions in the public sector that now exists. This is contained in legislation, and I am sure if it was contemplated it would not go through Parliament unnoticed.

It would be too much to hope that any pension freeze would apply only to those with very good pensions.

This makes me feel that, in time, the pension may be reduced to one where I have to be even more careful.

I will take what comes, but it should be known that what I have had was down to an agreed scheme in which, when I worked, I had to make contributions. It was part of a contract and, with many others, we honoured our side.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.