re-connect enables those who have retired to continue to support and participate in an organisation concerned with their welfare and standard of living. Though closely associated with Connect, it is an autonomous organisation governed by re-connect members.

What does re-connect do? re-connect aims to protect its members' interests and provide benefits and services. Below are details on some of the services available to re-connect members.

Pensions re-connect works with a number of pensions organisations, including UNITE, the National Federation of Royal Mail and BT Pensioners, to represent members' interests on this crucial issue, both in terms of state pension and occupational pension. re-connect also has a seat on the BT Unions' Committee, which negotiates on pensions for a number of re-connect members.

Information re-connect members receive regular copies of Connect's magazine, connected. Members also receive the re-connect newsletter.

Financial Services re-connect members will have have access to a full range of financial, insurance and consumer services at preferential rates through our new finacial services provider which launched in January 2009.

Discount shopping re-connect members have access to our discount shopping scheme which provides money off at major high street stores.

Legal services re-connect members and their partners can have free legal assistance for injury in an accident where a third party can be held responsible. Through the Connectlegal scheme re-connect members can receive free initial legal advice on any personal matter and access to low cost conveyancing.

Who can join? re-connect is open to anyone who has retired from employment, is receiving a pension and was, at the time of retirement, a member of good standing of an appropriate trade union.

How much does it cost to be a member? re-connect members pay a monthly subscription of £3.05 (applicable from January 2009). Subs are collected by direct debit every month.

We can also offer a dual membership option at a discounted rate with UNITE, at the cost of £4.05 per month.

How is re-connect organised? re-connect holds an Annual Meeting, usually in September, to which all members are invited. The Committee comprises four elected members plus two members appointed by the Connect Executive Council. The Committee is:

Elected members

Chair: Charlie Bruce

Secretary: Chris Ardy

Treasurer: Charlie Wheatley

Roy Price, Peter James, Len Jones

Appointed by Connect's Executive Council Billy Collie and John Ward
The Committee's contact details are available to Connect and re-connect members by logging in to the website.

External contacts re-connect maintains contact with other pensioner organisations and is affiliated to UNITE, the Campaign for Pension Fund Democracy, the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom and Amnesty International. Members might also be interested in Heyday, a not-for-profit organisation dealing with all aspects of retirement - if you click on the link 'Heyday magazine' on the right of this page, you'll get a sneak preview of the NEW Heyday magazine and further details about joining. Links to the websites (where they exist) can be found on the right hand side of this page.

Join us! To join re-connect, telephone Connect's membership team on 020 8971 6000 or email membership@connectuk.org