The second NPC Annual Convention webinar will discuss the link between rising pensioner poverty in the UK and our state pension being one of the lowest in Europe.
On Friday, 18 June, leading pensions experts will examine the government’s own latest data* which shows more than 2.1million British pensioners living in poverty after they pay housing costs. That is a rise of 200,000 on the previous year and the highest number for 15 years (Age UK).
Linked to this is the unequal state pension system, which sees the oldest pensioners receiving substantially less than the new weekly rate of £179.60. But this top rate is still a third of what German state pensioners receive, and half what French state pensioners get. **
The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has invited Daniella Jenkins of the Women’s Budget Group; Jack Jones, TUC Pensions Officer; and NPC pensions expert Bob Pinkerton to discuss solutions at a special online summit – State Pension Inequality & Pensioner Poverty - this Friday, 18 June 2021 10.30am to 12.30pm. Links to register for the free-to-attend event are below.
The panel will also discuss the pension ‘gender gap’ with retired women receiving, on average 40% less pension than men, and they will look at how the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial hardship, forcing many to consider working longer before retirement.
Jan Shortt, NPC General Secretary said: “This is a very important webinar, particularly as pensioner poverty is on the rise, and the state pension is forecast to be worth very much less in real terms as the cost-of-living spirals upwards.
“The NPC believes in a decent basic state pension for everyone, no matter when they retired. With our aging population, the government needs to act on this as a matter of urgency to avoid a national tragedy.
“We know many pensioners are already having to choose between eating and paying their bills. As they lose out on benefits aimed at plugging the gap in their income – such as the free over 75s free TV licence which was scrapped – they are being plunged further into poverty. This situation is only going to get worse, with many more older people living in financial misery.”
To attend the webinar - State Pension Inequality & Pensioner Poverty – with speakers:
Daniela Jenkins, Pensions Advisory Group, Women’s Budget Group.
Jack Jones, Pensions Officer, TUC.
Bob Pinkerton, Pensions expert, NPC.
(Chair) Brian Sturtevant, NPC Pensions Working Party.
NB: you must register in advance, for each webinar, in order to attend. If you have any difficulties trying to register, email info@npcuk.org to let us know.
All the webinars will also be live streamed to the NPC YouTube channel
*Government HBAI figures for pensioner poverty, March 2021.
**OECD data, 2018
download the press release below
UPCOMING NPC ANNUAL CONVENTION WEBINARS IN JUNE 2021:
June 21 - 14:00 - 16:00
Who Cares? The Future of Health and Care
Speakers:
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Prof. Epidemiology & Public Health, UCL.
Tracey Jarrett, Lewisham Pensioners’ Forum.
Cat Hobbs, Founder, We Own It.
Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HSxUDouuRqGpnBy-o1eejg
· June 29 - 10:30 - 12:00
Generations United: Bridging the Age Gap
Denise Burke, Director, United for all Ages.
Judith Ish-Horowicz MBE, Founder Apples & Honey Nightingale Nursery for Toddlers and Older People.
James Lynch, Young RMT activist who supports intergenerational initiatives.
Joy France, Pensioner Poet & ‘Battle Rapper.’
Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lbA-GFM8TQaxTkoxVaBKFg