ACHIEVEMENTS
Civil Service Pensions
RPI increases achieved in 1972 and maintained in the face of a determined attack by Mrs Thatcher.
Widows' pensions increased from 1/3 to 1/2 of husband's pension in 1972.
Guaranteed minimum widows' pensions secured in 1978.
Widowers' pensions secured in 1988.
Pensions secured for widows of post-retirement marriages but service counts only from 1978 for widows' pensions and from 1988 for widowers' pensions. Still campaigning for all service to count.
We are still campaigning for widows' pensions for life irrespective of re-marriage or cohabitation; for pre-1948 service to count in full; for pay-pause victims to be recompensed; and for the National Insurance Modification to be scrapped.
State Retirement Pension
RPI increases achieved in 1971.
Above RPI increases achieved for 2001 and 2002.
RPI Increases since then have had an under-pinning minimum of 2.5%.
RPI increases retained, despite the introduction of the Consumer Price Index.
Period before reduction due to hospitalisation increased from 6 to 13 and then to 52 weeks.
Payment by weekly cheque achieved for "the vulnerable".
We are still campaigning for a basic state pension set above the official poverty level and linked to increases in average male earnings.
Pension Credit
Guarantee Credit replaced Minimum Income Guarantee in October 2002.
Savings Credit introduced in October 2002.
Guarantee and Savings Credit now rise in line with earnings.
"One stop shop" for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit achieved in 2006.
Occupational Pensions
Better regulation achieved in 2002-2005.
Right to partial retirement achieved in 2008.
Right for pensioner trustees to be appointed to public sector schemes secured in 2005.
Tax Allowances
Age-related personal allowances now rise in line with earnings.
Age-related personal allowances raised substantially in 2008.
Compensation achieved for the under 65's for the loss of the 10% tax rate for pensions and earnings in 2008.
We are still campaigning for higher tax-free personal allowances_.
Winter Fuel Payment
Introduced in 1997.
Increased to £100 in 1999.
Increased to £200 in 2000.
Increased to £300 for the over 80's in 2003.
Additional £50 and £100 secured for 2008.
We are still campaigning for a substantial increase to meet ever-rising fuel costs.
Warm Homes
We secured means-tested Warm Front Grants of up to £2,700 (or £4,000 for oil central heating) for those over 60 to assist with insulation and heating improvements.
We achieved an Ofgem code of practice on disconnections.
Council Tax
One-off payment of £100 for the over 70's secured in 2004 to help with Council Tax Bills.
One–off payment of £200 for over 65's secured in 2005 to help with Council Tax Bills (but only for those not in receipt of Council Tax Rebate).
Local campaigns resulted in reduced rises in 2004 and 2005.
We are still campaigning for a fairer system based upon ability to pay.
Additional Payment
One-off payment of £50 secured in 2005 for the over 70's in receipt of the Guarantee Credit, to help with increased living expenses.
Transport
Half-price (or better) local transport achieved for the over 60's in 2000.
Half-price national coach travel achieved for the over 60's in 2003.
Free local bus transport achieved for over 60's from April 2006.
Free country-wide local bus transport achieved for over 60s from April 2008.
We secured the abolition of the driving licence renewal fee for the over 70's.
We saved the Freedom Pass, in London, retaining the right for the over 60's to the free use of all forms of public transport.
We are still campaigning for free public transport for older people throughout the UK.
Health
We secured extra funding for the NHS. (Extra £40 billion in 2003) (Commitment to spend 7.2% more per year in real terms until 2008).
We achieved free eyesight tests for the over 60's in 1998.
We secured the protection of local pharmacies services.
We prevented introduction of national rate calls to NHS services.
We highlighted the problem of MRSA and secured special hygiene standards and monitoring procedures.
We highlighted the problem of malnutrition in care homes and secured Government commitment to introduce safeguards.
We secured the right to be treated with dignity.
We secured a draft constitution for the NHS in England.
We are still campaigning for an improved National Health Service, with treatment based on clinical need and free at the point of delivery.
Care
In 2008 we secured a Government consultation on the future of care provision in England.
In 2008 we secured a National Strategy for Carers.
We are still campaigning for free long-term care, community care, services to assist living at home and improved benefits for carers
Age Discrimination
In 2006 we achieved the right to work until at least 65.
In 2008 we secured the inclusion of age issues in the remit of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
In 2008 we achieved Government and EC commitments to legislate against age discrimination in the provision of goods and services.
We are still campaigning for the right to work to any age, subject to the continuing ability to do the job.
Television
We achieved free TV licences for the over 75's.
We secured the deferral of the Analogue TV switch-off from 2010 till 2012.
Telephones
We secured an Ofcom code of practice on sales, marketing and disconnections.
Passports
In 2006 we secured free 10-year passports for those born on or before 2 September 1929.
We are still campaigning for the free renewal of passports for pensioners.
Personal Cases
In each of the last three years we have dealt with an average of 130 cases over a range of issues, including pensions. In the vast majority of cases our efforts have resulted in financial benefit to our members and their families.
Advice
We continue to provide members with sound advice on pensions, benefits, taxation, health and care issues.
Local Issues
In the light of the closure of many public lavatories, we secured the introduction of permits to use shop facilities.
Our local Groups continue to successfully pursue local issues with local authorities and Primary Care Trusts.
