Pensions: Pay more (to the Government, not your pension fund!) Work longer, Get less Communications and Campaigns

Pay more, work longer, get less The UK Government’s strategy is clear They have cut public services and public service jobs They have frozen our pay AND NOW….. They are coming after our pensions Communications and Campaigns

Key threats 15% cut to increase in annual pensions – RPI to CPI Higher pension contributions Extra money will go straight to Treasury AND NOT into Pensions Funds Increase in retirement age to 68 End of pensions protection for outsourced staff Communications and Campaigns

Key facts Pension funds are sustainable and in good shape Our pensions are not "gold plated". Average public service pension £3,500- £5,000 Public service pensions save the country money Disproportionate affect on lower paid, mainly women workers Communications and Campaigns

Key facts No public private divide - we want fair pensions for all 97% of FTSE 350 company executive directors have a company-backed pension - compared to just one third of UK private sector workers. The average FTSE 100 lead executive with a final salary pension - £175,000 The average public sector worker - £6,000 Communications and Campaigns

Key facts Cuts in pensions pave the way for privatisation Forcing up pensions costs will push members out of schemes and will  Reduce massive investment pots of schemes  Increase national insurance costs for employers  More pensioners will need state benefits Communications and Campaigns

UNISON Action UNISON’s Pensions Summit 19 July Negotiations at UK level have moved to scheme specific talks – deadline Oct 2011 Preparation for ballot of all members in Autumn if talks unsuccessful Pensions champions’ briefings Pensions website Communications and Campaigns

UNISON Action Pensions regulation is devolved to the Scottish Parliament UNISON is calling on the Scottish government to reject the UK plans and to protect pensions in Scotland. Communications and Campaigns

What can members/branches do? 7.3million pensioners and around 5.4 million active pension scheme members Including dependents 20 million people are with us in the fight to defend public sector pensions. In Scotland more than 2 in every 5 people depend on public service pension schemes. Communications and Campaigns

What can members/branches do? Encourage members to get involved Make sure they understand the threats to our pensions and implications for them Make sure your branch has a pensions champion and pensions contacts Communications and Campaigns

What can members/branches do? Get UNISON Scotland leaflets and hand them out in workplaces Arrange briefings for members and non- members Encourage non-members to join – the union and the pension scheme Communications and Campaigns

Useful information UNISON Pensions pages UNISON Scotland Pensions pages Communications and Campaigns