General support pack

The Money Advice Service - free and impartial money advice, set up by government

• Advice and guides to help improve your finances
• Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
• Specific advice on retirement with a checklist aimed at those planning 2 years ahead
• Support over the phone and online

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) role is to give people professional, independent and impartial help with their pensions (free of charge)

Government Pension website - links to key information from the Department of Work and Pensions related to the state pension provision.

State Pension eligibility checker - A specific link which checks a person’s eligibility and information related to their state pension.

Financial Conduct Authority - Provides specific advice on finding a regulated Financial Adviser and what to ask them.

The Equity Release Council, a not-for-profit organisation, is the industry body for the equity release sector. It provides information for people considering entering into an equity release scheme.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has a section which provides specific advice on preparing your finances for retirement.

The Retirement Living Standards, based on independent research by Loughborough University, has been developed to help us to picture what kind of lifestyle we could have in retirement. The standards show you what life in retirement looks like at three different levels, and what a range of common goods and services would cost for each level.

Money Saving Expert is the UK's biggest consumer website, with about 15 million users a month. The site's dedicated to cutting your bills and fighting your corner with journalistic research, cutting-edge tools and a massive community, all focused on finding deals, saving cash and campaigning for financial justice. This includes useful information relating to Pensions, Annuities and Taxation.

Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.

Silversurfers is an informative lifestyle site and social network aimed primarily at those citizens who are moving into their 50s onwards.

NHS Choices has numerous sections which could be useful for retired citizens.

Examples:

• The importance of exercise as you get older
• Physical activity for older adults

The Brookes Society for retired staff aims to provide easy access to news of the University and to facilitate different ways former staff can meet up; such as the bi-annual parties hosted by the Alumni Office and the various events organised by the committee, all of which are oversubscribed and enjoyed by those who attend.

Membership of the Society open to all retired former Brookes staff and members can take advantage of benefits being offered by the University and some of its partners.  We currently have over 350 members and the present Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alistair Fitt has pledged his continued support of the Society.

Brookes Active is a collection of activities, events and campaigns to help staff enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle with Brookes.

Reach Volunteering helps skilled people to make a difference. This organisation has been connecting non-profits organisations with skilled volunteers for over 35 years. It provides a self-service platform to match volunteers and organisations in a local area.