Pensions

UNISON is working to defend good pension schemes and improve and promote affordable, decent pensions for all our members, wherever you work.

We negotiate changes to improve pensions on behalf of our members, and defend the pensions of members who are transferred between employers - from the public to the private sector.

UNISON also acts to affect government policy on pensions, including state pensions and pension credits.

Review of public sector pension schemes
The government has formed an independent Public Service Pensions Commission to undertake a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision by Budget 2011.
Latest on the inquiry

Latest pensions news
Government consults on changes to the State Pension

(05/04/2011) The Government has outlined plans to potentially radically reform the state pension system through the potential introduction of a universal, flat-rate payment of around £140 per week for future pensioners.
Protect our pensions campaign

Our campaign steps up a gear. UNISON is stepping up its campaign to protect our pensions as we face new threats from the government's budget cuts.
UNISON responds to DWP consultation paper on switching from RPI to CPI

(04/03/2011) - Read UNISON's response to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation paper concerning the Government's proposals for changing the basis on which private sector defined benefit pension increases are determined.
UNISON responds to early access to pension savings consultation

(25/02/2011) - The Government issued a call for evidence on allowing early access to pension savings on the 13 December 2010. Read UNISON's response to this call for evidence.
Sign a petition to oppose State Pension Age changes!

(18/02/11) - UNISON's Labour Link is supporting a campaign to stop the Government changing the pensionable age despite a coalition commitment not to change the rules until 2016 at the earliest.
Employer discretion to award compensation or additional pension benefits on redundancy and retirement in the interests of efficiency of the service

(20/01/2011) Local Government Branches and Reps should be aware that every employing authority is required by legislation to produce and keep under review statements of discretionary practice on how they will exercise their discretionary powers in potentially paying additional compensation or additional pension benefits in the event of members being made redundant or retired in the interests of efficiency of the service.
Basic State Pension to increase by £4.50 per week from April 2011

(13/12/2010) - The Government has announced that the maximum individual Basic State Pension will increase by 4.6% or £4.50 per week to £102.15 in April 2011.
Government consults on private sector CPI switch - what does this mean for you?

(13/12/2010) - The Government wishes to index pension benefits in the private sector by less generous CPI increases but members may still be able to retain better RPI protection depending on the specific wording of their pension scheme rules. Read more here.