The North West is represented nationally by two members on the Retired Members Advisory Committee and is affiliated to the National Pensioners Convention
www.npcuk.org where Stan Skinkiss represents the CWU. Stan also sits on the TUC Pensioners’ Committee. So you can see the North West is well placed to get our collective voice heard.

Early in the New Year we shall publish the first edition of Grey Matters which we hope will become your twice yearly newsletter specially for North West members.

The council also organises a retired members forum for all North West CWU Retired Members, this normally takes place in October or November.

There are currently 22,000 retired members nationally each benefiting from:-

*  Advice on Pensions and Benefits

*  Free advice and representation (where applicable) for you and your partner from our Legal Services Dept. and Solicitors.

*  Continued access to discounted goods and services.

*  Regular information from your branch.

*  Receiving a copy of ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Link’ (specially for Retired Members).

* Your next of kin is entitled to receive the CWU Death Benefit.  The Grant currently stands at £653.

*  Belonging to an organisation campaigning for pensioners.

*  All this for a reduced membership fee of £4-65 per month.

If you are retiring soon you can retain your CWU membership at this greatly reduced subscription rate. Contact me via the branch office.

DWP - Department for Work and Pensions: www.dwp.gov.uk

North West Retired Members’ Council

OPRA - Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority www.opra.gov.uk/
Opra was set up by Parliament to help make sure that occupational pension schemes are safe and well run.
Invicta House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton, Sussex BN1 4DW.
Tel: 01273 627600,
e-mail: helpdesk@opra.gov.uk

NAPF - National Association of Pension Funds www.napf.co.uk/

FSA - Financial Services Authority www.fsa.gov.uk/
Independent body responsible for the regulation and supervision of the financial sector.
25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf,
London E14 5HS
Tel: 020 7676 1000

OPAS - Office of the Pensions Advisory Service www.opas.org.uk/

Age Concern England
Astral House
1268 London Road
London
SW16 4ER
Tel. 020 8765 7200
Fax. 020 8765 7211
Email: ace@ace.org.uk

Investment Management Association
The Investment Management Association represents the UK asset management industry.

National Pensioners Convention
National Pensioners Centre
9, Arkwright Rd, London, NW3 6AB.
Tel. 020 7431 9820
Fax. 020 7431 9830

Pensions Resource Groups
A group of trade unionists and other individuals interested in the subject of pensions.

The Pensions Advisory Service

The Pensions Ombudsman

The Trades Union Congress www.tuc.org.uk/pensions/