your pension - what is happening - what is unison doing - what you can do updated 12 october 2011

Your pension- what is happening

- what is UNISON doing

- what you can do

Updated 12 October 2011

What is happening?

What is happening?Ministers want to make changes to the pensions available

to public service workers.

This will affect the rights of UNISON members eligible for:

• the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• the NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS)

• the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS)

• and any transferred to private or third sector providers.

Even if you’re not currently a member of your pension scheme, this affects your future rights and options.

What is happening?

These changes are on top of those negotiated under the last Labour Government.

Some of these are still being implemented (for example, through the current ‘NHS choices’ exercise). These include ‘cost-sharing’ and the increase in the standard pension age for most schemes to 65.

What is happening?

The new changes being proposed mean that most UNISON members will:

What is happening?


• pay more out of their salary every year (except in the local government pensions scheme in Scotland)

What is happening?


• pay more out of their salary every year

• work longer before they can claim their full pension

What is happening?


• pay more out of their salary every year

• work longer before they can claim their full pension

• get less pension income when they are retired

What is happening?

How much more will I have to pay?

How much longer will I have to work?

How much less will I get when I retire?

What is happening?NB: No details are finalised, but current indications are:





How much more will I have to pay?• hundreds of pounds a year for most workers, and thousands for some





• hundreds of pounds a year for most workers, and thousands for some


• to the age of 66 (if you’re 42-57), to 67 (if you’re 33-42), or to 68 (if you’re now under 33)



How much more will I have to pay?• hundreds of pounds a year for most workers, and thousands for

some

How much longer will I have to work?• to the age of 66 (if you’re 42-57), to 67 (if you’re 33-42), or to 68 (if

you’re now under 33)

How much less will I get when I retire?• initial retirement income could be 25% lower, and lose another

10%-15% due to weaker inflation protection

What is happening?

Not one penny of these increased contributions or ‘savings’ will go towards improving your pension.

Instead they are being levied to help the Treasury pay off debts created by the banking crisis.

What is happening?

Issues for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Projected costs to employers of the LGPS have already been cut by billions as a result of changes made in 2008.

• The Treasury wants to ‘save’ another £900m a year – which means most paying hundreds of pounds a year extra

• UNISON, along with other expert commentators, has warned that unaffordable contribution increases may result in many more opt-outs, undermining the financial stability of the scheme. But note we are not advising any members to opt out.

What is happening?Issues for the NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS)

• UNISON negotiated a new, secure, affordable scheme in 2008 - its implementation is still under way, with the current NHS ‘choice’ exercise giving some NHS workers options to opt in or remain in the old scheme with an earlier retirement age.

The proposed new plans will override this exercise, ignoring your choice. They will mean almost everyone working longer.

• The proposed contribution increases range from almost £200 a year for workers earning £16,000 a year, or over £900 for those on £35,000.

What is happening?Any UNISON members transferred to private or third sector

employers could be even worse hit.

Ministers have not yet announced the results of the review of the ‘Fair Deal on Pensions’, an agreement which means privatised staff can either remain in a public scheme or join a ‘comparable’ scheme provided by their new employer. However, in negotiations ministers have said Fair Deal is contingent on accepting the change to the new pension schemes.

If transferred staff lose this right, they are likely to be left with a smaller, inferior pension.

What is UNISON doing?

What is UNISON doing?This is the most serious attack on public service

pension rights that we have ever seen.

UNISON believes that the proposed changes are:




• unnecessary – official data show that decent public service pensions are affordable. Cutting them will just mean more relying on state benefits in old age.





• unfair – public service workers are already being hit by pay freezes and redundancies. They shouldn’t be paying for a crisis caused by the banks.





• unfair – public service workers are already being hit by pay freezes and redundancies. They shouldn’t be paying for a crisis caused by the banks.

UNISON says: “Enough is enough”

What is UNISON doing?UNISON is working hard to protect your pension:


• we submitted evidence that has already resulted in some concessions on protection for the lowest paid



• we are taking legal action against the weakening of pensions’ inflation protection




• we have mounted a media and public education campaign to rebut myths and build popular support





• we led negotiations with ministers and employers involving the TUC and all public sector unions





• we led negotiations with ministers and employers involving the TUC and all public sector unions

• we are balloting for strike action, along with other unions, to initially start on 30 November

What is UNISON doing?A ‘YES’ vote will give UNISON the power to plan a campaign

of industrial action, leading off with a one-day strike on November.

Industrial action is a last resort.

It’s not a decision we take lightly. We will do everything in our power to ensure no harm occurs to clients, patients and users of services.

But we need to send a clear message that we are ready to defend our pensions. A strong ‘YES’ vote in the ballot is now essential to strengthen our negotiating arm.

What can you do?

What can you do?UNISON is working hard to protect your pension. But

the power of a union is in its members.

So we need your help:




• vote YES if you are balloted – our strength will be measured by the size of the vote





• talk to your co-workers – encourage them to join the union, and encourage them to vote YES if balloted





• talk to your co-workers – encourage them to join the union, and encourage them to vote YES if balloted

• be part of the campaign – contact your branch Pensions Champion, or become one yourself – we’ll help

30 November

• if a yes vote an initial one day strike is planned

• other public sector trade unions are balloting members for industrial action

• coordinated action across our public services – UNISON coordinating with the TUC and other unions

• local rallies and protests will be organised with supporters and community groups

• members and supporters encouraged to write to MPs, councillors, newspapers, etc.

30 November

Be part of it

www.unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

Queries: 0845 355 0845 or [email protected]

http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/protectour.asp

your pension - what is happening - what is unison doing - what you can do updated 12 october 2011

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