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.

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 new Pensions Bill will introduce 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.

Latest Pensions News

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.