The pensions area of the website is maintained by GMB's Pensions Department in National Office. The Department stays abreast of developments from across the pensions arena and contributes industrially to employers, politically to policymakers and individually to members.

The website is intended to communicate the knowledge of the department and give details of our ongoing work to improve the pension conditions of all of our members. The links on the left of the screen will direct you to some of our key documents and give an overview of GMB's pension work.

The links on the right will take you to a selection of our publications covering a vast range of pension issues, primarily focussed on occupational pension schemes. The Latest News section below gives an indication of some of the Department's work in recent months.

Download a copy of GMB's  Public Sector Pensions Report 2010

The Current Pensions Landscape

State Pension

• The Pensions Act 2007 indicates that the Basic State Pension age will increase from age 65 to age 68 between 2024 and 2046. We will oppose this change and promote policies that ensure increased life expectancy is shared by all.
• The Act also indicated that a much needed boost will be given to the Basic State Pension, by increasing it each year in line with average earnings increases (rather than in line with price inflation). However we maintain that this improvement should be implemented without delay, to assist today's pensioners, rather than waiting until 2010.

Occupational Pensions

• The Pensions Act 2008 introduced Personal Accounts, which are planned to become a minimum standard of occupational pension scheme to which employees and employers must contribute.
• The Labour Government has introduced the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme, which operate to provide compensation to members of pension schemes which don't have enough money to pay full pensions and whose sponsoring employer has gone insolvent. We continue to push for full compensation for all affected members.

These changes come in a time when the cost of pensions are increasing and a general downturn in financial markets means that pension savings do not go as far as they would have done in the past. Further changes to the world of pensions may be forthcoming, but GMB will continue to act to ensure that our members get the best deal possible.

Default Retirement Age

The government is reviewing the Default Retirement Age (DRA) in the UK which allows employers to forcibly retire workers over the age of 65 providing the appropriate procedure is followed. As GMB responded to the earlier consultations on the issue we have been asked to contribute to this latest review.

As outlined in this press release http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/Default%20retirement%20age/index.html, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is looking for evidence and experience of the DRA in practice. If you have specific experience that may be relevant for GMB’s submission please email the Pensions Department at pensionsdeptwi@gmb.org.uk no later than 31^st December 2009.

The government review followed the ruling in the ‘Heyday’ case brought against the government. Details of that case can be found here: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legislative-framework/legal-updates/age-regulations-legal-challenge-the-heyday-case/

Latest Pensions News

16th November 2009:  GMB responds to Ofgem's third consultation on pension provision.  Click here to view.

12th October 2009:  GMB responds to Informal Consultation on the Future Sustainability of the LGPS.  Click here to view.

12th October 2009: GMB responds to Consultation on the Governance of the Local Governmet Pension scheme.  Click here to view.

12th October 2009: GMB publishes Bulletin on Inducements to give up defined benefit pensions.  Click here to view.

12th October 2009:  GMB responds to Cabinet Office proposals to reform the Civil Service Compensation scheme.  Click here to view.

15th September 2009: GMB publishes document to dispell the myths being circulated about the Local Government Pension Scheme.  Click here to view.

15th September 2009:  GMB publishes document summarising many of the commenst made about public sector pension by opposition parties.  Click here to view.

11th September 2009: GMB publishes update bulletin (P18/09) on the Local Government Pension Scheme.  Click here to view.

11th September 2009:  GMB responds to Second Ofgem Consultation on Pensions.  Click here to view.

4th September 2009: GMB responds to Scottish Public Pensions Agency consultation on Investment in the LGPS Scotland.  Click here to view. 

26th August 2009: Press Release - GMB reacts to reports of government proposals to cut Local Government Pensions.  Click here to view.

20^th August 2009: GMB issues more information on the proposed changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. Click here to view.

10^th August 2009: GMB publishes members' bulletin as OFGEM launch new consultation on gas and electricity industry pensions. Click here to view.

5^th August 2009: GMB Briefing on the Cabinet Offices Proposals to Change Redundancy Terms in the Civil Service. Click here to view

5^th August 2009: Press Release – GMB’s pensions motion to TUC encouraging decent levels of employer sponsored provision and an end to the attacks on quality pensions. Click here to view.

30th July 2009: Press Release - GMB comments on the need for good pension schemes. Click here to view.

30th July 2009: GMB publishes Pensions Q&A. Click here to view.

12th June 2009: GMB responds to Government Consultation on automatically enrolling employees into a pension saving arrangement. Click here to view.

18th May 2009: GMB publishes Pensions Q&A. Click here to view.

18th May 2009: GMB responds to Dept of Work and Pensions Consultation on the provision of information by pension schemes. Click here to view.

18th May 2009:The Pensions Regulator publishes updated draft Code of Practice on anti avoidance of pension liabilities, following consultation with GMB. Click here to view.

27th April 2009: GMB responds to Government Consultation on the Management and Investment of LGPS fund. Click here to view.

27th April 2009: GMB publishes further guidance on salary sacrifice of pension contributions. Click here to view.

31st March 2009: Ahead of the implementation of the new LGPS in Scotland on 1 April 2009, GMB publishes amended LGPS guide to include the changes to the scheme in Scotland. Click here to view.

23rd March 2009: GMB publishes new question and answer briefing. Click here to view.

23rd March 2009: GMB publishes information ahead of the implementation of the new LGPS in Northern Ireland. Click here to view.

5th March 2009: GMB publishes bulletin detailing the new contribution bandings that will take effect in the LGPS from April 2009. Click here to view.

19th February 2009: GMB publishes bulletin detailing our request for reform of member contribution rates in the LGPS. Click here to view.

18th February 2009: GMB publishes bulletin for members in receipt of a pension from the NHS Pension Scheme who may be affected by the recent announcement of overpaid pensions. Click here to view.

18th February 2009: GMB publishes short guide and full briefing relating to the impending Choice Exercise for members of the NHS Pension Scheme. Click on the relevant link above to view.

18th February 2009: The government has launched a consultation on making changes to the Financial Assistance Scheme. Click here to view.

18th February 2009: GMB responds to consultation on the governance of LGPS funds in Scotland. Click here to view.

18th February 2009: GMB responds to government consultation on the provision of flexible retirement. Click here to view.

18th February 2009: GMB publishes bulletin on pension issues affecting women. Click here to view.

23rd January 2009: GMB responds to government consultation on sustainability of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

22nd January 2009: GMB publishes bulletin on potential amendment to the LGPS (England and Wales). Click here to view.

19th January 2009: GMB publishes bulletin on redundancies and pensions in Local Government. Click here to view.

19th January 2009: GMB publishes guide on how redundancy schemes and pension entitlements can be linked. Click here to view.

19th January 2009: GMB publishes update on developments in the ongoing saga for Equitable Life policyholders. Click here to view.

7th January 2009 - Details of the proposed new Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland. Click here to view (link to external site).

22nd December 2008: GMB publishes briefing on how members can increase their National Insurance record to qualify for more state pension. Click here to view.

18th December 2008: GMB responds to consultation on miscellanous amendments to the LGPS Regulations. Click here to view.

15th December 2008: Press Release - GMB attacks CBI for seeking to cut public sector pensions. Click here to view.

11th December 2008: The Government issues a final response to the consultation on Risk Sharing Arrangements in Pension Schemes. Click here to view.

5th December 2008: GMB publishes Pensions Questions and Answer briefing. Click here to view.

5th December 2008: GMB responds to Government consultation on changes to the Financial Assistance Scheme. Click here to view.

4th December 2008: Department for Communities and Local Government consult on Draft Regulations amending the Local Government Pension Scheme regulations. Click here to view.

27th November 2008: Press Release - GMB response to David Cameron's plans for attacking public sector pension schemes. Click here to view.

27th November 2008: Press Release - GMB responds to the introduction of the Pensions Act 2008 as legislation. Click here to view.

17th November 2008: GMB publishes briefing on how pensions can be transferred or entitlements protected when members move abroad or come to the UK. Click here to view.

31st October 2008: ‘LGPS Update’ presentation to the GMB-Unite Local Government Pension Conference held in Eastbourne. Click here to view.

29th October 2008: GMB addresses Ofgem seminar on their consultation on Energy Sector pensions and briefs reps on proposals. Click here for more.

16th October 2008: GMB publishes Local Government Pension Scheme Update. Click here to view.

15th October 2008: GMB publishes response to consultation on the rules of a New Local Government Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland. Click here to view.

15th October 2008: GMB publishes Pensions Question and Answer Briefing. Click here to view.

2nd October 2008: Government publishes response on Admitted Body Status in the LGPS. Click here to view.

1st October 2008: GMB publishes bulletin on ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

29th September 2008: GMB responds to Ofgem consultation on pension provision in the energy industry. Click here to view.

23rd September 2008: The Pensions Regulator makes an announcement on the assumptions for life expectancy in pension schemes following consultation. Click here to view.

10th September 2008: GMB tabled motion on Pensions is carried by TUC Congress. Click here for more.

10th September 2008: GMB Pensions Officer, Naomi Cooke, addresses National Pensioners Convention meeting at TUC. Click here for more.

8th September 2008: GMB and other Unions respond to Government Consultation on Governance in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

28th August 2008: GMB responds to Dept for Work and Pensions Consultation on Risk Sharing in Pension Schemes. Click here to view.

27th August 2008: GMB publishes Question and Answer briefing. Click here to view.

14th August 2008: GMB publishes response to draft guidance on ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

5th August 2008: GMB publishes guides on Pension Scheme Buyouts and Changing to a Group Personal Pension Plan. Click on the relevant icon to view these.

29th July 2008: Press Release - GMB Motion to TUC Conference. Click here to view.

28th July 2008: The government has published consultations on governance of and ill health retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click on the relevant link above to view these.

21st July 2008: GMB responds to consultations on the Financial Assistance Scheme and the Financial Reporting of Pensions. Click here for more information.

4th July 2008: GMB publishes bulletin on claims against historic financial advice to contract out of SERPS. Click here to view.

24th June 2008: Press Release - GMB welcomes government commitment to protect the Personal Accounts opt out facility from abuse from employers. Click here to view.

23rd June 2008: GMB responds to consultations on Anti Avoidance in Pension Schemes and Updating the Myners Principles on Investment. Click on the relevant text to view these.

30th May 2008: GMB responds to government consultation on LGPS Sustainability. Click here to view.

22nd May 2008: GMB publishes Questions and Answer briefing. Click here to view.

20th May 2008: GMB publishes briefings on Salary Sacrifice and Pension Contributions, Consultation on Changes to Pension Schemes and Pensions and Transfers of Employment. Click on the relevant links to view these.

12th May 2008: GMB responds to The Pension Regulator's consultation on assumptions for improving life expectancies when valuing pension schemes. Click here to view.

29th April 2008: GMB publishes LGPS bulletin giving update on ill health provisions in the new scheme. Click here to view.

24th April 2008: GMB publishes updated guidance on ill health retirement in the LGPS. Click here to view.

16th April 2008: GMB responds to informal consultation on ABS in Local Government. Click here to view.

7th April 2008: GMB publishes response to consultation on new LGPS in Scotland. Click here to view. Click here to view press release on GMB's consultation with members on the new pension scheme.

3rd April 2008: GMB publishes Bulletin on ABS consultation in Local Government. Click here to view.

28th March 2008: GMB publishes Bulletin ahead of the introduction of the new LGPS on 1^st April. Click here to view.

19th March 2008: GMB published guides on the changes to the NHS Pension Scheme ahead of implementation on 1 April 2008. Click on the relevant links to see guides on Scheme Changes, Ill Health Pensions and Added Years and Partner Pensions.

18th March 2008: GMB publishes MPs briefing ahead of further readings of the Pensions Bill. Click here to view. This follows from GMB's original submission to the Pensions Bill Committee.

18th March 2008: GMB publishes updated guide on the new Local Government Pension Scheme, including current guidance on ill health retirement. Click here to view.

18th March 2008: GMB responds to Gala Coral Group Consultation on pension changes. Click here to view.

3rd March 2008: GMB publishes Updated Policy on Pensions. Click here to view.

20th February 2008: GMB publishes Pensions Question and Answer Briefing. Click here to view.

14th January 2008: GMB makes written submission to the Parliamentary Committee discussing the Pensions Bill. Click here to view.

14th January 2008: GMB submits response to consultation on Ill Health Retirement in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Click here to view.

8th January 2008: GMB Briefing on the Pensions Bill. Click here to view.