Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance

When you leave the Civil Service and take your pension, you will be inundated with all manner of information from HR section on a wide variety of topics.  Amongst all of this will be a leaflet about Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance.  Don’t just drop this into the litter bin, take a few moments to read it and consider becoming a member.

The Alliance is not part of the union, but a separate organisation which has the interests of all Civil Srvice Pensioners at heart, no matter what your age.  Its primary aim is to promote the economic and social well-being of pensioners, giving them more purchasing power.  The Alliance was originally formed to campaign to restore the value of Civil Service and related scheme pensions, which at the time had been seriously eroded by inflation. It achieved index linking in 1972 and since then has both defended the link and campaigned to achieve a wide range of improvements in Civil Service and state pensions. It campaigns for a better deal for widows and widowers of Civil Servants and works closely with other pensioners' organisations and is campaigning for better social, health, care and transport provision for the benefit of all pensioners.  You can also get advice and and representation on individual problems regarding your pension.

It is affiliated to the National Pensioners' Convention, the Public Service Pensioners' Council, AGE UK, and AGE (the European Older People's Platform) and works together with these organisations.  Current campaigns include:-

·        a basic state pension set above the official poverty level and linked to increases in average male earnings;

·        a substantial increase in the winter fuel payment;

·        higher tax-free personal allowances;

·        a fairer system of local government taxation based upon people's ability to pay;

·        an improved National Health Service, with treatment based on clinical need and free at the point of delivery;

·        free long-term care, community care, services to assist living at home and improved benefits for carers;

·        free public transport for older people throughout the UK;

·        access to free education and leisure activities;

·        an end to age discrimination, in all its forms;

·        the maintenance of a universal postal service at a uniform tariff;

·        the retention of a network of local Post Offices and the ability to collect state pensions in cash;

·        the right to consultation active engagement and on national and local issues affecting older people.

I have attached a link, below, to the web site where you will find more information, and details of who to contact for more information.  To become a member, it will cost you the small sum of £1.50 per calendar month.

Civil Service Pensioners Alliance 

There are quarterly members’ meetings in your area which you can attend if you wish and a newsletter is issued on a regular basis.  You can also get more frequent updates by e mail if you choose to.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please consider becoming a member.

Linda Woollen

CSPA member