Pensions

Our members are covered by around 100 different pension schemes.

In the civil service, 35,000 members were balloted on a whole new PCSPS pension package in 2007, negotiated by Prospect and other unions.

More generally, we represent members' pension interests in a number of ways:

• providing assistance on specific queries
  
• encouraging reps to become member-nominated trustees of their pension scheme
• providing training and regular briefings for pension reps and trustees
• taking a leading role in helping members negotiate improvements to their pension schemes
• obtaining independent actuarial advice on changes which employers propose to their pension schemes
• helping members who leave the public sector following privatisation or contracting out. We have been directly involved in the establishment of new private sector pension schemes for those members, ensuring that the range of benefits is broadly comparable to their previous scheme.

We have an excellent record in dealing with members' pension rights, from:

• resolving problems relating to the late payment of pension benefits
• advising on the detailed application of their scheme's rules
• helping members present cases to the Pensions Ombudsman
• negotiating major improvements to their pension schemes.

Pensions briefing notes (PPBNs)

The number and complexity of the different pension schemes covering our members means we can't publish detailed advice about them on the website. But we have produced a series of pension briefing notes (PPBNs) which provide general information and guidance. They are broken down into four series:

1. General pensions issues
2. Trust schemes
3. PCSPS and CSCS (civil service pensions)
4. Special issues

You can also browse through all the PPBNs currently available online, listed in number order.

Individual advice and guidance

If a specific query about your pension scheme, speak to your local Prospect rep or your full-time officer in the first instance. Individual advice on pension-related decisions is available from Prospect's financial services provider, Liverpool Victoria.

For more general information about pensions use the 'Pensions and retirement' links on the left.