Every pension scheme needs a close relationship between its pensioners and its Trustees. Some farsighted employers encourage the setting up and continuance of an occupational pensioners' association, which provides valuable feedback between the parties.

Regrettably there are far too few such employers and too few pensioners' associations. Pensioners' Associations should be independent of both the pension fund and the company. They should be allowed to put forward suitable prospective candidates for election as Member Nominated Trustees from their membership.

For many reasons defined benefit schemes are now being closed at an alarming rate and such schemes are more vulnerable to be wound up with the consequent loss of significant amounts of the expected pensions. It is clear that the need for pensioners' associations to defend their members' pensions has never been greater.

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OPA policy:

A proportional presence of pensioners on Boards of Trustees

All pension funds having over 500 members must promote, encourage and assist in the establishment of a pensioners' association, which its trustees must recognize.

Lobbying by the OPA achieved significant changes to the 2004 Pensions Act which should ensure that most of these two objectives are met. Hopwever it remains to be seen how the changes in the law will work out in practice.