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Getting involved as a retired member

UNISON is the only British trade union with a retired members' group. Becoming a retired member means that you stay actively involved in issues that affect you and your peers.

Common issues affecting older members include age discrimination, pension problems, mobility and the provision of public services. As a retired member you make an important contribution to UNISON campaigns, often working closely with other member groups. You can also get together socially for outings and events.

Our structure mirrors that of the working members. This means that retired members can participate in UNISON’s democratic processes at all levels.

UNISON organises retired members at every level of the union. Retired members can attend branch meetings and have representation on the branch committee and regional council.

Each year our retired members’ conference enables retired members from branches to debate the issues important for them and submit two motions to the agenda of the national conference.

Retired members’ committees are also represented on regional councils and able to feed views to the rest of the union. A national retired members’ committee meets regularly.

Am I eligible to become a retired member?

If you have been a UNISON member for at least two years on the day you retire from employment (in an area of work in which UNISON organises) and are receiving a pension and are not in other paid employment, you can become a retired member. UNISON retired members continue to be entitled to a wide range of benefits including:

• legal advice
• welfare support
• discounts and offers on a wide range of products and services.

Speak to your local UNISON representative if you would like more information on joining the retired members’ section.

Get help from your UNISON rep

UNISON’s retired members campaign for better rights for retired workers in terms of a decent income in older age and better public services.

If you are struggling in any way, you may wish to speak to a UNISON representative (rep). Your UNISON rep can help you if you are a UNISON member. Alternatively you can call UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.