Retirement can be an exciting, rewarding and challenging time and the term “pensioner” covers people of ages from 50 to 100+, with different lifestyles, health needs and family situations. As the number of pensioners increases, there is more and more information available on wider pensioner issues, such as:

• Early retirement
• Part-time work, new careers, voluntary work
• Long-term illness or disability, being in hospital
• Caring for others
• Managing on a low income
• Visiting or living abroad
• Leisure time, keeping active, keeping fit
• Age discrimination, campaigning, political issues
• Local community involvement

There are also a number of websites (see useful links) that provide a wealth of information. Here are some of the main ones:

DWP

The DWP is responsible for a range of benefits and services for pensioners and people planning pensions. Guidance on a range of issues are available at the DWP website at the following address:

http://dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/penret/


 

 

Over 50?
The Government website DirectGov, contains useful information on voluntary organisations, training opportunities and health and fitness. The site can also help you find out what you are entitled to in retirement and what you can do to improve your income in retirement. Try these two links to start with:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Over50HealthAndWellBeing/index.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Working/index.htm

 

 

Age UK

Age Concern is the UK's largest organisation working with and for older people. Age Concern supports all people over 50 in the UK, ensuring that they get the most from life and provides essential services such as day care and information. They campaign on issues like age discrimination and pensions, and work to influence public opinion and government policy about older people.

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/



 

 

"Approaching retirement" by HMRC
Pensioners and those approaching retirement may find the HMRC booklet "Approaching retirement" helpful. You can open a copy in pdf format from this link:
 
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ir121.pdf



 

 

Help the Aged 
Help the Aged is committed to addressing the issues that matter to older people under five main priorities:

• Combating poverty
• Reducing isolation
• Defeating ageism
• Challenging poor care standards
• Building understanding through research into ageing

Working together with older people we campaign, research and develop practical solutions. http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/default.htm

Benefitspace
There is a range of  benefits available to BAE Systems pensioners and their families and the benefits can be viewed on a website called benefitspace where you can find out more information about the products on offer, who is eligible and the relevant phone numbers and addresses.

If you have any feedback good or bad please contact the Customer Support Team helpdesk on 01772 677277 with details.

ROPA
ROPA is the Royal Ordnance Pensioners' Association. It is a member-funded independent organisation.

If you are a ROPS pensioner and wish to join ROPA after retirement or learn more about it's objectives, you should contact either:

Brian Johnson (Chairman) 01772 600540
Bernard Potter (Secretary) 01270 258097