About... retired members in the branch

This page of the website has been set out slightly differently to those detailing each constituent organisation within the branch. It's very much a test page that we hope to develop as retired members are encouraged to maintain their union interest in their retirement.

Current situation

The branch has always been centred on the London area but its membership, especially that including our retired colleagues, has contained members from round the United Kingdom. This fact, coupled with the multi-organisational nature of this UNISON branch, has not made it easy to maintain regular branch contact with our retired members.

This is something that the branch officers readily admit. As members, you should still be receiving standard UNISON newsletters giving you the national picture but we recognise that many of you will still be interested in finding out about your former area/ sector of employment.

A key reason for the development of this website was to provide a channel for keeping retired members up-to-date with events, allow them to post retired-members-relevant information, and help to elect a Retired Members Secretary who will have responsibility for dealing with retired members's queries in addition to attending relevant meetings/ conferences where possible.

Section of the UNISON website for retired members

UNISON offers a distinct section on their website for retired members. It sets out the key issues affecting retired members, explains how retired members can play an active role in UNISON if they so choose - including how they can meet as a self-organised group.

We all recognise that retired members have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can make them a valuable part of UNISON campaigns.

Status

As a Retired Member you can keep in touch with your old workplace colleagues, attend branch meetings, and take part in campaigning work. Retired members enjoy all the benefits of UNISON membership including:

• Legal advice
• Welfare support
• Special discounts and offers on a wide range of financial and other services

Please note, however, that whilst retired members are able to stand for, and elect, the Retired Members Secretary, retired members are not eligible to stand for, nor to vote for, the other branch officer posts.

Becoming a retired member

If you've been a UNISON member for at least two years on the day you retire and have either reached state pension age or get a pension, you can become a retired member on payment of a one-off subscription of £15 to the branch. For an application form, contact UNISONDirect on 0800 0 857 857.