“It is no good the government saying we must work longer if the jobs will not be there for us,” UNISON’s Mike Hayes told TUC delegates in Brighton as congress called for an independent commission into the state pension age in response to government plans to make everyone work until 68.
“UNISON continues to oppose increasing the retirement age,” declared Mr Hayes, especially if this is not linked to how long members are actually living.
And he accused successive governments of watching as pension provision has declined, with an “ever decreasing minority” of private sector workers in pension schemes – while those schemes “are frankly not fit for purpose.
“Defined contribution schemes don’t work as employers pay derisory contributions into them,” added Mr Hayes, saying that the “employer contribution to a pension arrangement must be a minimum of 10% as soon as possible – not the inadequate 3% proposed by 2017.
“It must be recognised that the government and employers must pay more, not just employees.”