GMB's Pensions Department
A flavour of our work can be seen in the content
on the pensions pages of this website. However a brief
description of the role GMB's Pensions Department plays is given
below.
Advice
GMB can assist with general queries, problems and complaints,
which are submitted through local full time officers. Whether
your question is about your state pension, occupational
pension or another pension matter, we will do our best to help, or
put you in touch with the relevant outside body.
Whilst Pensions Department are legally prohibited from giving
financial advice, many GMB regions also offer a financial advice
service.
Pensions Information
We issue regular Q&A briefings and
Pensions News. To sign up to receive this information, please
e-mail pensionsdeptwi@gmb.org.uk
Negotiating
While many employers do not recognise negotiating rights for
pensions, this does not prevent members drawing upon our expertise
in occupational pension schemes. The National Pensions Department
supports regional and national colleagues in acting to defend and
improve pension benefits for members collectively.
Campaigning
GMB is at the forefront of campaigning for improvements to
pension provision in the UK.
Our current campaigns focus on the bringing forward of much
needed state pension reform. We continue to oppose the
planned increase to the State Pension Age so long as average life
expectancies vary by as much as 15 years in different regions of
the UK. Only when health equality is achieved across the
whole UK and the benefits of increased longevity are shared
equitably will such a change be considered.
Whilst we support the idea of a National Pensions Savings Scheme
(now known as NEST), we will continue to fight for real compulsion
on employers to contribute to this. Furthermore the levels of
contributions planned for this scheme need to be increased so
that occupational pension savings will provide a meaningful
income in retirement.
Selected GMB Consultation Responses
Sept 2010:
Consultation on amending the structure of tax relief on pension
contributions - GMB
Response
.