Occupational Pensioners' Alliance
The OPA is a democratic, non-party-political organisation of occupational pensioners' associations in the UK. OPA was formed in October 2003 from a merger of the Confederation of Occupational Pensioners' Associations (COPAS, est. 1993) and the Alliance of Occupational Pensioners (AoP, est 2001).

Together now, the OPA represents the interests of over 2 million occupational pensioners from across the country and beyond. Speaking with one voice enables us more powerfully to engage with Government and Parliament on behalf of our members.

See "The Scope and Objectives of the OPA". Also OPA policy on Pension Scheme Governance.

E-petition - We were betrayed by our MPs! Only 33 voted in favour of the motion to oppose the the switch to the CPI in contrast to 232 against.

The OPA is affiliated to FairPensions
See its "Trustee Best Practice Guide"

Latest News

Office for National Statistics says there will be a consultation on the new CPIH (incorporating housing costs) in June '12 and CPIH will be published March '13. (14 March '12)

Only 33 MPs voted in favour of the motion opposing the switch from the RPI to the CPI. For the full debate click here (from 12.39pm). (2 March '12)

Does the use of the the Geometric Mean better represents consumer behaviour? No, says former ONS member. Also see here.(16th March '12)

RPI/CPI: Appeal against the Judicial Review ruling. (13 Jan '12)

RPI CPI - Outcome of Judicial Review Hearing (6 Dec '11)

Office for Budget Responsibilty forecasts CPI / RPI gap will widen to 1.8% by 2016. (1 Dec '11)

The average gross pensioner household income is £18,834. From that £5,124 is paid out in tax! (5 Oct '11)

"RPI vs CPI: The Row Goes On" (Straight Statistics, updated Sept '11)

See "RPI versus CPI - The Definitive Account" from the Royal Statistical Society (29 Aug '11) and also Use of the CPI for cost-of-living adjustments by Mark Courtney

Will the proposed CPIH include Council Tax? Don't be fooled!

See Differences between the RPI and CPI and also the OPA views on RPI / CPI switch and response to consultation.

More news... (Now with latest news feed.)

Contact Information:
Roger Turner, Executive Officer,
Tel: 01582 721 652

More contact details...

Inflation Statistics: Timetric tracks detailed inflation rates as measured by the Office for National Statistics (2 May '12)

Office for National Statistics "Pension Trends": Contrary to popular belief most pensioners have modest incomes. In 2008/09, 53 per cent of single pensioners had total pension income (state benefit income and private pension income) of less than £10,000, while 36 per cent of pensioner couples had less than £15,000 (29 Sept '10)

Calculate your own rate of inflation using the ONS calculator.

Have you ever wondered why your pension increase is not as great as the RPI? See here

See "The Decline of DB Pensions"

"it is a popular delusion that DB schemes are too expensive" (23 Sept. '11) Full report here.

DWP report on risk sharing in DB pension schemes shows how DB schemes CAN be affordable. (31 March '10) See also DB v DC

Summary of Recent OPA Responses to Consultations

Webmaster: Gordon Williams