Unite retired members
Victory – government backtracks on winter fuel payments
After a year-long campaign led by Unite's Retired Members, the government finally announced a reversal of the cuts to winter fuel payment.
Unite will always defend the principle of universal benefits and services. The reversal does not go far enough, but it comes as welcome relief to millions of pensioners across the United Kingdom who will once more have support to stay warm this winter.
CAMPAIGN WIN | Defend the Winter Fuel Payment
Unite retired members: What we do
Unite retired members campaign on any issue affecting retired workers, through Unite and also through the National Pensioners’ Convention, the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and the TUC Pensions Committee. We don’t just campaign on retired members’ issues, we support all workers in struggle and campaign on issues such as:
- Dignity in retirement – an end to pensioner poverty, safe, accessible public transport, properly funded social care and health services, universal benefits such as the free bus pass, TV licence for the over 75s, winter fuel allowance and NHS prescriptions.
- Better communities – better care in the community, securing decent public services, ending poverty, stronger social cohesion and safe, secure and affordable homes for all
- Decent work for all – ending zero-hours contracts, job insecurity, low pay and demanding better career opportunities
What does Unite Retired Members Plus membership get me?
For just 55p a week your Unite Retired Members Plus membership gets you:
- Access to dedicated solicitors with experience in representing RMP members in personal injury claims, serious injury claims, road traffic accident claims, medical negligence claims and industrial disease claims
- Access to Unite Legal Services for support with conveyancing, will writing, probate and power of attorney
- Free legal helpline for RMP members for up to half an hour of free advice on non-work related matters
- Access to funeral benefits
- A discount at The View Hotel in Eastbourne
- Convalescent benefit: Some members may be entitled to a convalescent stay at the View Hotel, Eastbourne, subject to terms and conditions. Applicants should contact their regional office for assistance with making a claim.
- And more...
Latest updates - Read the Retired Members Newsletter
LATEST: Check out the Retired members Xmas 2025 newsletter - December 2025 [PDF]
Check out the latest newsletter from Unite's Retired Members, and download and read the archive editions below.
Check out the full archive of Unite retired members newsletters
Unite’s Retired members ‘Decent Retirement for All’ manifesto
- Watch the Campaign video above | "Why has retirement become so terrifying that no one wants to talk about it..."
‘Unite Retired Members campaign in their communities for a fair retirement!’
Get organised in your community, build power, and fight for a fair retirement – whoever is in government. At the 2024 General Election, Unite’s Retired Members produced their own manifesto on a Decent Retirement for All, which continues to guide and drive Retired Members campaigns. Give it a read below.
Recent campaigns
Read more about the campaigns that Unite Retired members are fighting for:
Unite Retired member campaigns
Downloads
(Selecting a download below will open up a PDF in a new browser tab)Coming up to retirement? Stay involved in Unite
Already a member? Simply call your local Unite office and they will adjust your membership and direct debit. Retired membership is just 55p a week.
Only Retired Member Plus members will be able to play a full part in the Unite Retired Members’ section.
You will not be able to play a full part in the constitutional structures of Unite unless you join Retired Member Plus.
- NPC - The National Pensioners Convention
- SPF - Scottish Pensioners Forum
- Unite Legal Services