USS data trawl

bouicca21

I'm not sure this post belongs here but I can't think where else it should go.

USS have hired a company to do some kind of data trawl to identify members' spouses. The simple solution would seem to be to ask members for the information they need but they are not going to do that.

The form and covering letter indicate that the spouses have to sign a form in order to opt out.

Is this kind of big brother approach legal or if legal, justifiable? I am horrified that someone's privacy can be invaded when they haven't applied for any benefit and since they may predecease the pension holder, may never do so. It's not like applying for credit and expecting a credit check.

As it happens Mr Bouicca21 doesn't exist under that name, he is actually Mr Completelydifferentname and we don't live together. So a data trawl is unlikely to find him. That doesn't make it any less intrusive though.

blue_eyes

The purpose seems to be to an actuarial assessment of potential liabilities.

Details and faq here
https://www.uss.co.uk/members/members-home/retired-member-spousal-research

bouicca21

I understand the purpose. It's the methodology I find deeply suspect.

kidmugsy

Are they going to do anything more Orwellian than consult the electoral register?

bouicca21

They must be as they intend to find: the relationship to the member of USS, month and year of birth and gender. This won't all be on the electoral roll. Of course it's fairly basic info that I could supply, but they don't want members to do that, they want to use 'a third party tracing service' and will repeat the exercise every three years.