GMB PENSIONS
POLICY
Download a copy of the speech made to TUC Conference
2010 on pensions by Naomi Cooke. A copy of the
pensions composite motion can also be downloaded.
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
- Indexation of the Winter Fuel Allowance to cover pensioners’
utility bills
- Opposition to the increase in the state pension age until there
is an equitable distribution of longevity expectations (see
GMB's
Response to the coalition proposal to speed up the increases to
the State Pension Age - August 2010)