UNISON's  key message to Councillors is that all LGPS members should be treated the same as other public sector workers and be given protection of existing retirement age and LGPS benefits.

The draft LGPS regulations propose that members be offered the choice of taking more of their benefits in the form of a cash lump sum (on a poor commutation formula), up to a maximum value of 25% of their benefits by exchanging pension for cash.  Our calculations show that the massive savings that will be made throgh allowing members to commute up to 25% of their pension to a lump sum would fund both protection for existing members and improvements to the LGPS for the future.

The campaign with councillors is a crucial one.  Members in England and Wales should urgently email or write to their Councillors, making the case for fairness and equal treatment for LGPS members.  We know that the sum total of UNISON members represents the balance of power in some parliamentary constituencies.  We need to use our strength in local communities to make our voice heard and responded to in the local elections.  Let UNISON know what he or she says at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it