I hope this update finds you well. Following the September meeting of the BMA retired members committee, I wanted to share some of the issues we have been discussing on your behalf and highlight the areas we will focus on in the coming months. As always, we welcome your views and experiences.
Membership, retention and subscriptions
One of the issues receiving significant attention from the committee is the decline in retired member numbers. We discussed the importance of understanding why colleagues leave the BMA when they retire and how we can strengthen engagement with retired members across the UK.
The committee also revisited the question of membership subscriptions. We considered whether the current retired member subscription category remains the best approach, or whether a more flexible income-related model might better reflect the differing circumstances of retired members, particularly those who continue to undertake some clinical or professional work after retirement. Discussions with the treasurer are continuing and no decisions have been made at this stage.
Alongside this, we discussed how to strengthen engagement with retired members and improve retention. Working with colleagues in the membership and communications teams, we are developing a plan to raise awareness of the support, benefits and opportunities available to retired members, while ensuring members remain connected to the work of the BMA throughout retirement.
Mentoring and supporting colleagues
At our September meeting, the committee also discussed mentoring, led by Surjait Singh, and the valuable contribution retired doctors can make by sharing their experience with colleagues who may benefit from support. Surjait has written a blog reflecting on mentoring and how retired members can get involved, which I warmly recommend reading Surjait Singh's blog on mentoring.
Retired members conference 2027: renewals and reflections
Planning is already under way for the retired members conference 2027: renewals and reflections, which will take place on Thursday 4 March 2027. The conference is being led by Tom Kane, chair of Conference, and Gary Wannan, deputy chair of conference, working alongside the RMC and secretariat.
The conference remains an important opportunity for retired members to shape BMA policy, hear from expert speakers and connect with colleagues from across the UK at a time of significant change for the profession.
This year's programme is being developed around the theme of renewals and reflections, with longer sessions and more opportunities to engage with speakers and fellow members. Planned themes include retirement and financial wellbeing, healthcare resilience, professional regulation, and the continuing contribution retired doctors make to medicine and wider society.
I hope many of you will be able to join us. Registration will open at 9am on 21 December 2026 and close at 5pm on 29 January 2027. Further information, including speaker announcements and the full programme, will be shared in due course.
You can keep up to date with conference developments on the retired members conference 2027 webpage.
Pensions, retirement planning and financial wellbeing
Pensions continue to be one of the most common reasons retired members contact the committee. Unfortunately, we heard further reports of delays associated with the McCloud remedy, ongoing inaccuracies in pension records and difficulties obtaining the information needed to make retirement decisions.
While the committee cannot provide individual financial advice, we are keen to ensure members can access the right information and support. We are therefore looking at ways to improve signposting and develop events for retired members and those approaching retirement, covering topics such as pensions, financial planning and retirement wellbeing.
The BMA pensions department provides information and support on NHS pension matters.
The BMA also works with specialist partners whose services may be useful to members:
Fidelius Medical provides independent financial advice tailored to doctors, including retirement planning, pensions, investments and the McCloud remedy. Learn more about independent financial advice through Fidelius Medical.
Sandison Easson provides specialist medical accountancy and tax advice, including support on retirement-related tax matters. BMA members can access a complimentary initial 30-minute consultation. Learn more about medical accountancy and tax advice through Sandison Easson.
Lloyd & Whyte is the BMA's insurance partner and offers a range of insurance products tailored to doctors and their families. Learn more about personal and commercial insurance through Lloyd & Whyte.
Together, these services can help members make informed decisions and plan confidently for retirement.
Local structures and representation
The future of BMA local structures remains uncertain. Members will recall previous proposals for reform, many of which were paused following discussion at the annual representative meeting.
The committee reviewed recent developments and reaffirmed its view that change is needed, particularly given the decline in active divisions in many areas. We remain committed to ensuring that retired members have meaningful representation within any future arrangements and will continue to engage with the organisation committee as discussions progress.
Emergency preparedness and retired doctors
Another area of discussion was healthcare resilience and the role retired doctors might play during a future national emergency.
The committee considered proposed changes relating to emergency registration powers and the safeguards that may be needed for retired doctors who have relinquished their GMC registration. Questions were also raised about the handling of personal information and communication with retired members in any future emergency.
These discussions build on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect the committee's ongoing interest in ensuring that retired doctors are treated fairly and appropriately should additional support ever be required.
Changes to the secretariat
Many of you will know Winifred Annan, who has provided outstanding support to the committee and its members for many years.
At our September meeting, the committee formally thanked Winifred for her contribution ahead of her departure from the BMA. Her commitment to supporting retired members has been greatly appreciated, and I am sure you will join me in wishing her every success for the future.
We would like to hear from you.
As always, the committee is keen to hear from retired members. Whether your views relate to subscriptions, pensions, local representation, retirement activities or any other issue affecting retired doctors, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Your experiences help shape the work we undertake on your behalf and ensure that retired members continue to have a strong and influential voice within the BMA.
With best wishes,
Peter Curry
Chair, BMA RMC
Email: [email protected]
Further information:
BMA RMC secretariat, Laura Clark, [email protected]