4,000 Elderly People in the U.K. Received Letters Asking if They Exist

But like... do any of us really, man? Like... really?

Recommended Videos

4,000 retirees in Jersey (old Jersey, not New Jersey) received a document titled “The Certificate of Existence” to confirm that they are still alive. The letter was to insure the government was not paying out pensions to the accounts of the deceased, but come on — there has to be a better way than a letter asking if they’re dead yet.

The head of the pension fund Ron Amy admitted they should have been more sensitive, but also called the audit necessary. He told the BBC, “Pensions schemes really have to do these exercises because we do not always get told when somebody dies.”

It would also probably help not to give your pension audit documents creepy titles like “The Certificate of Existence.”

At least they didn’t just send Eric Idle around with a cart.

(The BBC via Boing Boing, image via Andy MacLeod)

Meanwhile in related links


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Men Are Proving the Whole Point of the Man vs. Bear Debate
A mama bear with her cubs
Read Article ‘Cabaret’ Is Back and More Timely Than Ever
the cast of cabaret with joel grey and director rebecca frecknall
Read Article Ryan Gosling’s Iconic ‘Fall Guy’ Red Carpet Surprise Is Incredible Commitment to a Bit
Ryan Gosling at the Fall Guy premiere
Read Article Which ‘Tortured Poets Department’ Song Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Taylor Swift on the album cover for The Tortured Poets Department
Read Article Foghorn Leghorn Officially Can’t Stand Seeing All These Anime Characters Beat Themselves Up
Edited photo of Foghorn Leghorn talking to Naoto in "Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro"
Related Content
Read Article Men Are Proving the Whole Point of the Man vs. Bear Debate
A mama bear with her cubs
Read Article ‘Cabaret’ Is Back and More Timely Than Ever
the cast of cabaret with joel grey and director rebecca frecknall
Read Article Ryan Gosling’s Iconic ‘Fall Guy’ Red Carpet Surprise Is Incredible Commitment to a Bit
Ryan Gosling at the Fall Guy premiere
Read Article Which ‘Tortured Poets Department’ Song Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Taylor Swift on the album cover for The Tortured Poets Department
Read Article Foghorn Leghorn Officially Can’t Stand Seeing All These Anime Characters Beat Themselves Up
Edited photo of Foghorn Leghorn talking to Naoto in "Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro"
Author
Glen Tickle
Glen is a comedian, writer, husband, and father. He won his third-grade science fair and is a former preschool science teacher, which is a real job.