Women and pensions
UNISON is committed to trying to improve the pension rights of women who, for a number of reasons, typically save less for retirement than men.
As around 75% of our members are women, and because the gender pay gap becomes a pensions gap in retirement, this is clearly a big issue for us.
But there are other factors too. It is still true that women are putting everyone else’s needs before their own, especially when it comes to the cost of caring. Often, looking after their own retirement is at the bottom of a long list of priorities.
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Retirement challenges for women
Research shows that:
- only 52% of women are adequately saving for retirement in comparison to 60% of men;
- female pensioners have a net weekly income that is approximately 85% of their male counterparts;
- women account for approximately 61% of pensioners above state pension age;
- over two-thirds of pensioners living in poverty are women.
Recent increases in the state pension age have also hit women particularly hard and cuts to public services have been shown to impact women much more than men.
UNISON statement on women and pensions
UNISON is the UK’s largest trade union with over one million women members. We have a proud record of campaigning with WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) for fair transitional relief for 1950s women who are facing hardship and poverty because of the Government’s acceleration in increasing their state pension age without adequate notice.
In addition, UNISON continues to support our key objectives of achieving decent occupational and state pensions for all our members, and for many of our women members who have been left bereft of either a full occupational or state pension.
UNISON is the first trade union to affiliate to the official WASPI Campaign Ltd. UNISON recognises that there are several groups campaigning for pension justice for WASPI women. UNISON has developed its own work programme and training courses on women and pensions to build union capacity on pension issues.
We are aware that our members support different campaigns fighting for pension justice for women. The union intends to work with the WASPI group where there is an alignment with UNISON policy.
Pensions training
UNISON is refreshing our campaign to protect good pension provision through engaging, organising and providing pension training for our members. Integral to this campaign is our regional training programme on both state and workplace pensions. This training has already been provided for at least two regions.
We will also be looking at issues related to the gender pension gap and what actions are required to close this gap.
Frequently asked questions
Government advisors were clear that changes like this should only happen with at least 10-15 years’ notice but in practice, notification letters were only sent out to affected women 14 years after the 1995 Pensions Act in 2009.
UNISON will continue to campaign by raising awareness with our members and activists, by lobbying relevant government ministers including the pensions minister, running workshops at UNISON’s women’s conference and TUC conference, and organising state pension and workplace pension courses around the country.
Legal disclaimer
The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.