GMB Pensions Policy
To ensure all GMB members have the ability to live with dignity and security in work and in retirement.
Occupational Pensions:
- All employers should contribute a reasonable amount to their employees’ retirement through good occupational pension schemes
- Pensions should be a standard feature of all collective bargaining agreements reflecting the importance of this part of the remuneration package
- Better protection for pensions when a company’s ownership changes so that no employee is disadvantaged in terms of pension provision as a result of the change of ownership of their employer
- The Pension Protection Fund should incorporate provision for the terminally ill to access a lump sum benefit from the fund
- Consultation on pension changes should involved meaningful discussion of options and be approached with a genuine intention to reach agreement
- All pension schemes should have 50% member representation on their governance boards
State Pensions:
- Immediate restoration of the earnings linked indexation of the basic state pension when better than RPI linking
- Cash injection to the basic state pension to restore its value since the link was broken
- Abolition of means testing for pension benefits
- Reform of National Insurance to enable more women and carers to build up pension entitlement
- Improved flexibility of the provision for individuals to buy back National Insurance contributions
- Opposition to the increase in the state pension age until there is an equitable distribution of longevity expectations
- Indexation of the Winter Fuel Allowance to cover pensioners’ utility bills
Useful links:
GMB National Pensions Website: http://www.gmb.org.uk/pensions
DWP Pensions Service http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Financial Ombudsman http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Financial Services Authority http://www.fsa.gov.uk
LGPS members site http://www.lgps.org.uk
LGPS employers site http://www.lg-employers.gov.uk/pensions
NHS Pensions Agency http://www.nhspa.gov.uk
Occupational Pensions Advisory Service (OPAS) http://www.opas.org.uk
Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) http://www.opra.org.uk
Pensions Ombudsman http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk
GMB Membership Benefits:
Retired members can apply for membership of the GMB’s Retired Members Association (RMA). The RMA campaigns on behalf of retired members to bring about dignity in retirement. Among other issues, they campaign for better pension provision, affordable publictransport and utilities, and improved care conditions. Most branches of the RMA meet several times a year and there is an annual national RMA conference. If you are interested in joining the RMA you should contact your rep for further information. Members of at least five years standing can apply for retired life membership of GMB. Benefits of life membership include:
- Legal Assistance for those of State Pension Age and who have been members for at least 10 years – provided primarily in matters concerning employment but can be authorised by a Regional Secretary for any class of matter
- Funeral Benefit (this is currently up to £250)
Note however that those seeking to be elected to certain GMB posts must be full paying members.
State Benefits:
Full information on the benefits available to you can be obtained from your local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Office.
State Pension:
For Men – This is payable from age 65.
For Women – This is payable from age 60 for those born before 6 April 1950, age 65 for those born after 5 April 1955 and from an interim age calculated on a sliding scale for those born in between these dates.
To find out how much you will get you can request a forecast from The Pensions Service on 0345 300 0168.
The State Pension can be made up of several elements:
- Basic State Pension – available to all who have made sufficient National Insurance Contributions;
- S2P – this is an additional state pension available to those who did not contract out from April 2002 onwards;
- SERPS – this is an additional state pension available to those who did not contract out between April 1978 and March 2002.
Pension Credit:
This is a means tested benefit designed to ensure that those aged 60 and over receive a guaranteed weekly income. You can apply for this by calling The Pensions Service on 0800 991 234. Those receiving Pension Credit may also be entitled to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Cold Weather Payments.
Over 80’s Pension:
This is available to over 80s whose state pension income is below a certain level. Further details are available from your local DWP office.
Winter Fuel Payment:
This is payable to UK residents aged over 60. It can be claimed by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0845 915 1515.
Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance:
If you are aged 65 or over and have a disability that requires help in caring for yourself, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance. If you are under age 65 and your disability means that you require help with care, you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance. You can find out more on these by calling the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200.
Carer’s Allowance:
If you care for someone who is disabled and is in receipt of Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. However, if you receive other state benefits such as the basic state pension, you may not be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. More information can be obtained from the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200.
Bus Pass:
This is available for free to those aged over 60. Residents of London Boroughs also qualify for a Freedom Pass. Your local Council can give you more information on this.
Free Prescriptions & Eyesight Tests:
If you are aged over 60 you are entitled to free prescriptions and eye examinations. You may also qualify for financial assistance with other medical costs. For more information, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
TV Licence:
This is available for free for those aged 75 and over. To apply for this call TV Licensing on 0870 241 6468.
Tax Benefits:
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) grants a higher personal allowance to those aged over 65, meaning that you will be allowed more tax free income if you are above this age. The level of increased allowance depends on your income. HMRC should apply this increased allowance automatically, but it is worth double checking this. You can do this and check if you think you have paid to much tax by virtue of not previously receiving this increased allowance by contacting your local tax office.
Occupational Pension:
If you have contributed to a work based pension at your current workplace, you should have heard about your pension entitlement. If you have not, you should contact your employer’s Human Resources or Pensions Department. If you think you have an entitlement to a pension from a previous employer, or another pension provider, the government-run Pension Tracing Service can help you track down those responsible for paying these pensions. You can contact the Pension Tracing Service on 0845 6002 537.
Age Discrimination
If your retirement was forced by your employer:
- Were you notified of your retirement date at least six months in advance?
- Did they advise you of your right to request continuing working past retirement age?
- Was your age at retirement 65 or more?
- If not, did your employer justify why they have enforced retirement at this earlier age?
If your answer to any of these is “no”, there may be a breach of the retirement procedure as set out in the Age Discrimination Regulations. Speak to your local workplace organiser or full time Organiser
for more details.
