Unilever pensions are 'not enough' as prices keep rising (From Warrington Guardian)

Unilever pensions are 'not enough' as prices keep rising

FORMER Unilever workers have raised concerns about the future security of their pensions.

The Committee of Unilever Pensioners (COUP) is working to set up action groups to make pensioners aware of any issues.

The company has a base in Dallam Lane, and used to have a centre in Liverpool Road.

The concerns have been raised at a time when changes in the financial market have affected the security of benefits promised by many companies.

A COUP leaflet states that Unilever has made only minimum pension increases so that "our standards of living have gone down while costs of all types have been going up".

There have been meetings between COUP and the company, which COUP says it is willing to continue if they are 'substantive and purposeful'.

Unilever maintains that it is dedicated to providing pensions.

Richard Greenhalgh, chairman of the Unilever Pension Fund Trustee Board, commented: "We remain committed to the provision of a defined benefits scheme for our members in the UK.

"Unilever pensioners are promised, as a pension, a stated percentage of their pensionable salary at retirement, which has been increased in line with the RPI (retail price index). We have no plans to change current practice."

To find out more about COUP, visit www.unileverpensioners.org.uk.