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A Message from our National Chairman

Go to Downloads for this page in 'document' format and other Newsletter material.  (It will then be easier to print.)

For an Obituary of our Vice-President, Gil Allen, who died on 7 June 2006, please click here.

 

Sam Reed MBE

CHAIRMAN'S SUMMER MESSAGE 2008

Hello Everyone 

The independent Railway Pensions Commission (RPC) published their report at the end of January 2008 - they then considered their remit completed. The Commission made far-reaching recommendations for changes to the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), affecting sections set up when the railway was privatised. The full report is available at www.railwaypensionscommission.org.uk

The Trade Union Congress is now in the initiative to encourage all major stakeholders within the industry (Employers / Trade Unions) to reach agreement through the establishment of Joint Working Parties. Skillful negations will be necessary, as it may well be difficult for the train operating companies to reach a unanimous agreement on a common employer approach. Trade unions will certainly find it difficult to support a proposal that means the giving up of conditions of service that have been hard fought to achieve over many years. I do not envy either group who must show great wisdom and leadership to solve the financial problems facing the RPS (Shared Cost Sections).

Current railway pensioners within the RPS (SCS) who receive their pensions from a Train Operating Company face the prospect of being transferred to a "New Pensioner Fund". The RPC propose that the new pensioner fund will be open to all current Train Operating Company pensioners. Additionally all future pensioners from Train Operating Companies, either active or preserved status, will be transferred into the "New Pensioners Fund" at three yearly intervals, to coincide with valuation dates. 

Preserved Pensioners within the RPS (SCS) face the additional prospect that retirement age may be raised to 65 years with early retirement age being raised to commence at 55 years. The enhanced retirement benefits introduced by the former BRB to encourage early retirement would be replaced by a benefit based on a neutral cost basis to the pension fund. That could be an expensive loss for preserved pensioners. Implementation target is March 2009; however my personal view is that this target date will not be achieved. 

The British Transport Pensioners' Federation (BTPF) could accept the establishment of a new pensioners section that embraced all Train Operating Companys' pensioners. However there are a number of issues that need addressing:

Funding levels at start up must be at least 100%. 

Where would this investment come from particularly if some of the existing trains operating companies have a short fall in funding at the 2007 valuation?

Where would investment come from to rectify deficits at future three yearly valuations? 

Government has indicated they would not become the employer. 

Will Train Operating Companies and the Department for Transport agree additional franchise funding to meet these contingencies when new franchises are negotiated? 

Pensioner representation to serve on the committee of the new "TOC Pensioners Fund"? 

All pensioners / preserved pensioners within the RPS that are affected by these proposed changes can rest assured that your BTPF are committed to look after your interests.

BTPF Recruitment

Can I make a personal appeal to you all to join the BTPF?

Can all current members introduce their spouse / partner / friend to join as a member? After all they may well receive a rail pension as a dependant in future years. Do you know of someone who has recently retired or is about to retire from the transport industry? If you recruit just one or two people it would greatly help to maintain a membership of 20,000 plus and play a significant part in strengthening the BTPF position with retaining our very own representative on the Trustee Board of the Railway Pension Scheme.

Membership is open to all retired / preserved pensioners and also active transport industry employees aged 50 years or over

Enjoy the British Transport Pensioners' Federation website at www.btpf.org.uk 

BTPF is affiliated to the National Pensioners' Convention (NPC) at national / regional levels. This is the only pensioners' group that lobbies Government on behalf of pensioners on all benefits - for example: free local bus passes nationwide.

Many BTPF branches provide attractive social benefits

Newsletters - these publications contain items on - railway and state pension matters - free travel - news of colleagues

Branch meetings for rail and state pension news 

Outdoor activities - walking - trekking - cycling 

Organised away days 

Short break holidays

Social get-togethers for fine chat - dancing - a little gossip 

Christmas parties 

Our members stay young and active though the friendship that membership brings 

Details of BTPF branches and how to join are shown on this Website

You can speak to me on or leave a message on 07931 321814

Many thanks for your support.

Sam Reed

19 May 2008

Downloads:

Click here to download Sam Reed's Summer 2008 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download a copy of BTPF's Response to the Railway Pension Commission's First Report

Click here to download "Introduction to the Railway Pensions Scheme (RPS) Shared Cost Sections"

Download Archive:  these items are still available if you require them

Click here to download Sam Reed's Autumn/Winter 2007 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter.

Click here to download Sam Reed's Spring 2007 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download Sam Reed's Autumn/Winter 2006 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download Sam Reed's Summer 2006 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download Peter Rayner's New Year 2006 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download Peter Rayner's November 2005 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download Peter Rayner's July 2005 message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter

Click here to download "Abolition of Central Trains: What happens to current and deferred pensioners?"

Click here for a copy of the paper presented by the NPC to the Department of Transport (September 2005)

Click here for a copy of the Pensioners' Charter

Click here to download a report of the Concessionary Fares Conference (6 May 03), attended by Peter in his capacity as National Pensioners' Convention delegate.  This conference addressed the subject of free/concessionary bus travel for all pensioners.

 

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Copyright © 2008 British Transport Pensioners' Federation
Last modified: 19 May, 2008