Railway Pension increase 2010 - will we get one?  Watch this website in the coming months.  The legislation which sets out each year’s railway pension increase figure is usually published in March in a Statutory Instrument under the provisions of the Pensions Increase Act, 1971.  Traditionally it has been the inflation figure as at the previous September that is the annual increase applied to pensions in the following year.

The recession is far from over - We may have reached the bottom and we have certainly witnessed a rise in the world stock markets, however uncertain times remain within the world of pension funds.  For example at the end of June 2009 the funding level of the 1994 pensioners’ section had dropped from 99% as at December 2007 to approx 72%, although that has probably improved in recent weeks.  Including the Special Reserve Fund (SRF) the funding level is approx 87%.  Liabilities remain close to £4.4bn with assets of £3.3bn (excluding the SRF).  Asset levels in the British Rail Superannuation Fund (BRSF) had also decreased compared with December 2007 and December 2008.  The reasons behind the reduced funding level will be well known and were to a large part because of the ‘credit crunch’ of 2008.  It is important to remember that pensions are guaranteed in these two sections.

“Eggheads” - have you ever watched this popular BBC2 television quiz programme?  The BTPF would like to enter a team and are seeking volunteers.  Currently three members have volunteered and another two are needed; this could be your chance to obtain national fame!!

I offer Congratulations to Ken Ball, our travel facilities expert, for his part in obtaining satisfactory concessions from South East Trains for rail pensioner travel on their High Speed Trains operating under the Javelin Brand.  The details can be found on ATOC’s Website (Rail Staff Travel) - click here to view.

Membership is open to all retired / preserved pensioners and also to active transport industry employees aged 55 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.

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

Branch meetings for rail and state pension news 

Look under Sussex Branch for details of the Matinée Club - it's really excellent and yes, you can join!

Outdoor activities - walking - trekking - cycling

Organised away days 

Short break holidays

Social get-togethers for fine chat - dancing - a little gossip? (who on earth would do that!)

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 or leave a message on 07931 321687. 

Click here to download Sam Reed's current message in 'document' format to circulate to members via your Newsletter.  The downloaded version is recommended for printing.

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"