Since its
formation in 1948, the British Transport Pensioners’
Federation has secured many financial benefits for railway pensioners and their
dependants, as well as improvements to travel facilities for retired staff. We
have representatives on the Board of Trustees and the Pensioners’ Committees
of the Pensions Section ‘Closed Fund’ and the BR
Superannuation Fund. We
have also secured representation on the Pensioners' Committees of many of
the new Funds applicable to the privatised railway.
Our
affiliation to the National Pensioners’ Convention
enables us to add our
strength to the campaign for improvements to the State Retirement Pension and
associated benefits.
With its strong
membership, the Federation is recognised by both
Pension Fund Managers and government bodies as being truly representative of all
railway pensioners.
The Federation and its sixty local branches are run entirely
by volunteers, who are themselves railway pensioners. But it’s not all
meetings and campaigning! – some branches also organise social activities and
outings and
keep in touch with members in their area.
Yet to remain truly representative, and to have an even
stronger voice, we need to continue increasing our numbers, especially among the
‘younger generation’ of pensioners and deferred pensioners. Membership is
open to anyone in receipt of (or with deferred rights to) a railway pension
and/or travel facilities, including widows and widowers of retired staff. Active
staff aged 55 or over are also welcome to join our
organisation and add their voice to the campaign to protect our pensions and
privileges in retirement.
By joining one of our branches, you
will be able to keep in touch with fellow pensioners and ex-colleagues and make
new friends, as well as supporting the Federation’s voice and objectives.
Membership fees vary from branch to branch, but are always very modest.