FRMA questionnaire on the cost of living and communications

Over half of retired NASUWT members are worried about the cost of living crisis, according to a survey of our retired members.

48% of respondents to an FRMA (Federation of Retired Members’ Association) survey told us that they were ‘slightly worried’ about their financial situation and 5% were ‘very worried’. In addition, almost 1 in 5 members (19.73%) found it difficult or very difficult to cover the cost of their energy bills and just over 3% of retired members told us it was hard for them to cover the costs of their mortgage.

Brian Roe, Vice President of FRMA, said, “These figures should demolish the myth once and for all that teachers are on gold-plated pensions!

“Too many of our members are struggling to cope, needing to use hard-earned savings and even food banks and other aid from charities.

“For many years, teachers’ pay has definitely not kept up with inflation and cost of living increases. So pensions based on teacher salaries are also below what is needed.

“Thanks to all the retired members who completed the survey and also to all the NASUWT staff who provided the technical expertise and helped with the distribution and collection of results.”

Over 1000 members responded to the survey, which is over 1 in 10 FRMA members, which means that the survey is a good representation of our retired membership.

We hope this information will result in major discussions and ideas across NASUWT, including at meetings of local associations and RMAs.

A more detailed breakdown of the findings derived from the questionnaire can be found on the right/below.

Please feel free to pass on any comments, thoughts and suggestions about this survey to your FRMA Executive member or Vice-President Brian Roe.

Services for retired members

All NASUWT members on retiring from teaching have continuing access to the following benefits irrespective of their age and circumstances on leaving the profession. This includes whether or not they pay a retired member’s subscription:

• entitlement to NASUWT legal and professional representation and advice in relation to any matter arising from former teaching employment at a time when the individual concerned was in subscription-paying membership of the Union;

• entitlement to apply for benevolence assistance in the unfortunate event of the former member and/or their financial dependants experiencing hardship.

Subscription for retired members

Many retirees choose to pay a small subscription to continue in membership of the NASUWT as a retired member.

This involves emailing the NASUWT Membership Team to inform them of your change of status, following which you will be sent a letter of invitation to join your local Retired Members’ Association (RMA) and your subscription will be collected by direct debit, as before.

There are RMAs across the UK. The few retired members who are not served by a local RMA will be added to the list of centrally attached members and will receive information regularly from the Federation of Retired Members’ Associations (FRMA).

Phased retirement

Members who take phased retirement should continue as full members of the NASUWT, including by reducing their membership subscription to a part-time full membership subscription, as appropriate.

This involves emailing the NASUWT Membership Team to inform them of your change in status.

Retired membership status does not confer eligibility for NASUWT assistance in respect of any issues arising from continuing employment. This also applies to members who retire fully and then return to teaching on a supply basis.

 

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