Calling all Pensioners... Join the National Pensioners Convention!

The NPC’s main objective is to promote the welfare and interests of all pensioners, as a way of securing dignity, respect and financial security in retirement. The NPC organises rallies and lobbies of MPs and makes submissions to government on policies affecting older people. The Convention also stages an annual three-day Annual Convention, previously in Blackpool, now in Southport, where up to 1000 representatives discuss issues of concern and share ideas in an atmosphere of genuine friendship.

In its relatively short history the NPC, through its campaigning they have achieved some significant benefits for older people: n Restoration of the link with earnings – 30 years after the Thatcher government took it away n Introduction of the free concessionary bus pass from the Labour government when John Prescott was Transport Minister

The NPC state that the real strength of the organisation comes from the work that their many affiliated groups, who are active in their local areas and regions promoting the NPC’s campaigns. This makes the NPC unique, as the only national campaign group in the country which is run by pensioners for pensioners.

RMT has close links with the NPC and Branches can affiliate to the NPC.

We would encourage you become involved with the Convention either as a member or as a “friend of NPC”.

For more information, please go to https://www.npcuk.org/ or contact RMT Pension Officer, Paul Norris, on 020 7529 8806 or at p.norris@rmt.org.uk

As you will recall from the January/March 2023 Maritimes Campaign Newsletter, as a result of the acquisition of the Ensign Retirement Plan (ERP) by Smart Pension, members of the ERP were automatically moved across to Smart Pension on 1st April 2023. While ERP shipping industry employers had the option not to move to Smart Pension prior to the takeover, we are advised that the majority of employers have successfully moved across.

It would appear that moving to Smart Pension is in the best of interest of all employers and members due to a number of reasons, which include: n Lower charges for the members n Greater investment choice with a range of ESG funds n Improved communications n Better member technology so that members can view their pension whenever they want

As a reminder, Smart Pension is a Master Trust Defined Contribution occupational pension arrangement which has assets under management of over £5 billion, over 1 million members and has more than 90,000 businesses now managing their employees’ retirement savings.

We are pleased to advise that Smart Pension are keen to work with RMT to develop greater understanding of the Maritime industry and to engage with our members who contribute to Smart Pension. Like RMT they want members of this occupational pension schemes to have a greater understanding of their deferred wages so that they can save for retirement, make the right decisions leading up to their retirement and enjoy their retirement.

Darren Procter, our National Secretary, and Paul Norris, RMT Pension Officer, met with representatives from Smart Pension on 19th April 2023 to discuss how RMT and Smart Pension can work together for the benefit of union members. We are pleased to advise that the meeting was both informative and productive.

While the relationship between RMT and Smart Pension is in its infancy, we believe that it’s important that, as a union, we engage and build a relationship with not only Smart Pension but all of our members pension providers as this can only benefit our members in the long term.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with a representative from Smart Pension please call 0330 124 7409.

In partnership with RMT, Smart Pension have provided us with campaign material which we believe will be informative and educational for members. This material can be viewed at https://bit.ly/41MnVGK