Skip to main content

Retired Officers Association

Since the late 1980’s, when a number of retired officers made it known that they wished to maintain contact with their ex-colleagues’ and friend’s, the Retired Officers Association has grown in strength.

Over those years the Retired Officers Association has upheld the original objectives set over thirty years ago.  That being to continue the friendship and comradeship amongst retired MDP Officers, offering advice and help where sought.

The elected committee meet four times a year, one of which being the AGM.  The AGM is run in conjunction with the Annual Reunion and held at various locations throughout mainland UK.  Each year we gather at the chosen location and enjoy a harmonious, long weekend in each other’s company.  Many meet old colleagues, make new friends, and quickly discover that they have much in common.

Having joined MDP almost all of us found that it was not an ordinary job, or just a job.  We joined, we belonged, and we became part of it. This sense of belonging remains with many of us even in retirement, as all retired officers still regard MDP as their Force.  We maintain, through our MDP Liaison Officer, a close attachment with the Force and that officer attends our quarterly meetings.  CCMDP accepts the invitation as our Honorary President and he values the important role offered by the Retired Officers Association.  Each year he attends the AGM/Annual Reunion, giving a briefing on the state of the Force and willing to take questions from the floor. Regular communication is kept up using the Force in-house magazine, ‘Talk Through’ and our own ROA news letter.

The Retired Officers Association also has very close links with the DPF and is very grateful for the valuable assistance given.  Members can benefit through the Retired Officers Association web pages that are hosted by the DPF Website for which we are extremely grateful.  Through this we are able to offer members free initial legal advice and travel insurance, plus several others benefits.  The Chairman regularly attends the AGM/Annual Reunion and briefs all attendees on the work of the DPF.

We, in the Retired Officers Association, continue in the spirit of being ex-colleagues’.  No rank. No rancour.  We are all proud of the part we each have played whilst serving in MDP.  Now is the time in our lives to reflect on our individual careers, the good, the bad and the fun, sharing it and supporting each other.  I therefore encourage and welcome all those about to retire or ex-MDP to join The Retired Officers Association. I look forward to meeting you and enjoying your company.

Geoff Heal

ROA Chairman

ROA News Alerts

November 2023

The next Annual General Meeting & Reunion will be held at the King Robert Hotel, Glasgow Road, Stirling, FK7 0LJ from Friday 11th to Monday 14th October 2024.

Please click here to download the booking form in PDF format.

Alternatively please click here to download the word version of the booking form (please note the form will appear in your devices ‘Downloads’ folder.

 

September 2023

Police Care UK

Support in retirement and ill-health retirement – please click here to read more.

Police Care UK – formerly known as the Police Dependent’s Trust – is the charity for serving and veteran police officers, staff, volunteers, and their families, who have suffered physical or psychological harm because of their policing role.

As the charity receives no money from the Government or forces for it’s work, it is entirely independent of the police service and is funded exclusively by donations and fundraising.
If you would like to discuss the practical, emotional, or financial support Police Care UK can potentially provide, please make a referral via our website – www.policecare.org.uk – or call 0300 012 0030 and ask to speak to a member of our team.

July 2023

Please click here to read our latest newsletter.

June 2023

The DPF have asked if we could circulate the attached Circular 21/23 which draws attention to a change in solicitors handling the Pension Discrimination claims. The claims were successful and solicitors secured compensation payments for eligible members who in 2016 signed up to be part of the action.

However a number of these members have since retired and may be unaware of the compensation payment which they may be eligible to receive. These retired officers may also have changed their email address so are not receiving the correspondence from solicitors to enable the claims to be paid.

The new firm of solicitors – Thompsons – handling the claims require the consent of individual members in order to process matters.

Any ROA member who signed up to the claim in 2016 is requested to take action immediately as outlined in the attached circular – please click here to view.

May 2013

Blue Light Card

We’re proud to support the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces

Blue Light Card provides thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street exclusively to those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces.

What is Blue Light Card?

Costing just £4.99 for 2-years access, our exclusive range of over 17,500 offers (including all of your favourite brands) are here to help you save!

Whether you’re doing the weekly shop, treating yourself to cinema tickets or a meal out, looking for the latest tech or fashion must-have, or are hunting down the best discount on a new car or summer holiday, finding a discount to cut the cost of your shop has never been easier!

How can I start saving?

Head to Blue Light Card to sign up, or download the Blue Light Card app (available for free in the App Store or Google Play store) and register there.

Once you’re account has been approved, just log in to start saving online or – if you prefer to shop in-store – you can instantly access a digital copy of your Blue Light Card via the app to show at the checkout. We’ll also send you a physical copy shortly after.

How do I prove I’m eligible?

Blue Light Card is an exclusive service to those in the Blue Light community, social care sector and armed forces. Therefore, you’ll need to provide a copy of your pension statement showing your role within the Police during registration to be accepted.

How is Blue Light Card different to showing my ID?

Blue light Card allows you anonymity and means you don’t have to use your ID pass in public.

Our dedicated team also works hard to secure and develop our partnerships with retailers (regardless of whether they’re a household brand name or a local business) to offer exclusive discounts to our members.

Visit Blue Light Card to find out more about some of the savings you can access as a member.

April 2023

Charity for Civil Servants: ‘we not me’ 
As a civil servant you know you’re part of something much bigger. A community of people who care about each other. The Charity for Civil Servants believes that everyone in the Civil Service is more than just a ‘me’. You’re part of a huge community of people that care about each other, and support each other. 
And when life gets tough, we want you to know that you’re not alone. The Charity for Civil Servants can help connect you to the right help. And through us, you can also lend a hand to colleagues who need it too. 
This Charities & Partners Week, why not sign up to receive regular updates from your charity into your inbox. And if you know anyone else who could benefit from hearing about the Charity for Civil Servants, please let them know. 
By supporting your charity, you can help colleagues in their times of need – we’re your charity, and we’re here to help.

March 2023

Simple Budget Calculator from Charity for Civil Servants

Make a positive change to your finances this year

As most of us move away from using cash, keeping track of our money can quickly become a challenge if we’re not regularly checking our bank accounts.

Taking an active approach to managing finances can prevent stress caused by accidental overspending. By tracking your weekly expenditure using The Charity for Civil Servants’ Weekly Spending Diary, you’ll get a better idea of where your money goes and it’ll help you figure out where to cut back. You can also check if your online banking app has a useful money-tracking and budgeting feature.

Once you’ve calculated your weekly spending, you can then use the Charity’s simple Budget Calculator to get an overall picture of your financial health and receive advice based on your results.

The Charity for Civil Servants supports all current, former and retired civil servants throughout their lives, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support.

Feb 2023

Increase in Pension Announced
Government has confirmed that Civil Service pensions which have been in payment for a year will be increased by 10.1% from 10th April 2023 in line with the September to September Consumer Price Index.

Oct 2022

The next Annual General Meeting & Reunion will be held at The Queens at Chester, City Road, Chester,

Cheshire, CH1 3AH on Friday 6th to Monday 9th October 2023. Please click here to download the booking form.

August 2022

An update regarding ROA annual subscriptions can be found here.

August 2022

Please click here to read the ROA Newsletter for August.

July 2022

Force Magazine – Talk Through

Members will be aware that for the past two years the Force Magazine TT has not been printed in hard copy and only been accessible on-line in digital format. In fact the last one to appear was Issue 171 in July 2021.

We have now been advised about a decision taken by the Ministry of Defence that printed publications such as newspapers, magazines, promotional journals including marketing & communication materials are to cease and from now on digital issue publications should be the default position.

This decision has impacted on MDP and in effect means that Talk Through will no longer be published. Instead the Force will publish articles in ‘real time’ and sign post on their social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and You Tube. There are two other external channels – GOV.UK – the MDP Website and Medium – MDP Home page.

Both the GOV.UK and Medium channels are easily accessible and on the Medium channel you can sign up with your email address to receive an email whenever the MDP publishes something.
Naturally this move is disappointing to ROA as not all members are fully committed to the digital age and this is something we will take up with the force.

The external channels can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

GOV.UK
Medium
You Tube

Facebook and Twitter

For information the Editor of Talk Through Norman Hicks has very recently retired and attach his farewell letter to the Force can viewed here.

July 2022

Pension Claims

You may be aware that the DPF have been running discrimination claims through the Employment Tribunal following the reforms to the public sector pensions in 2015.

Part of this process was to also lodge injury to feelings claims for all officers who initially signed up to be part of the DPF Claims.

The Government have now offered to settle these injury to feelings claims out of court and DPF have published a circular updating members of this and requesting that they ensure DPF hold their up to date address and contact details in order that they can communicate with individuals to seek acceptance of the offer.

There is every likelihood that some ROA members who have retired after the claims were lodged in 2016 may be due a compensation payment.

DPF circular 21.22 is included below for your attention and action if necessary.

Please click here.

March 2022

Please click here to view the letter from MDP ROA Chair Geoff Heal regarding the cancellation of our AGM / Reunion.

July 2021

The latest on-line edition of Talk Through has been published and can be accessed from the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/talk-through-magazines

MDP 50th Anniversary

You may already be aware that this year the MDP celebrates its 50thanniversary. Work is currently underway by staff in the Force Communications Department collating content, including information about MDP’s history for the anniversary campaign and would like the ROA to take an active part in the 50th celebrations.

ROA members who would like to contribute to the celebrations with interesting historical facts, pictures, quotes, stories, anecdotes (these could be told to camera as opposed to being written, like a vlog if easier) etc. that they might like to share and give permission to use on both the Forces internal and external communication channels are asked to get in touch with MDP’s Corporate Communications Department by email – mdpcorpcomms@gmail.com including a copy to our Liaison Officer Supt Sandy Stewart – alexander.stewart781@mod.gov.uk

February 2021

Dementia support from The Charity for Civil Servants

The Charity for Civil Servants have teamed up with Dementia UK to offer a new service.

If you, or someone you know, is affected by dementia, you can now access a range of specialist information and support. If you can’t find what you need on the site, you can request to speak directly to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse at a time and in a way that suits you.*

Visit cfcs.dementiauk.org to get started.

Accessing the service should be done through a personal device in order to receive the best service. Should you have any queries about this service please contact Linda Eades, Head of Caring Services,linda.eades@foryoubyyou.org.uk

*subject to availability

January 2021

The Force has recently published its Annual Business Plan and Corporate Plan. It can be accessed from the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mdp-annual-business-plan-2020-and-corporate-plan-2020-to-2025

Please click here to read the ROA News (On-line Edition December 2020).

The latest edition of Talk Through has been published on-line and can be accessed via the link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/talk-through-magazines

Booking Form 2021 AGM Reunion

Our AGM & Annual Reunion is scheduled to take place during weekend 8th to 11th October 2021. It will be held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Harrogate.

The Booking Form can be found by clicking here.

PSPC News

11/09/2020

A briefing on the State Pension Triple-Lock has just been published by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI). This examines in detail the current political debate about options that are under consideration for changing the mechanism in anticipation of a spike in the average earnings trigger in 2021.  The PSPC Executive Council will be considering the issue of the triple-lock at its next meeting.

Click here for briefing paper

29/06/2020

We are sorry to announce the cancellation of our 2020 AGM/Reunion for the reasons outlined in letter by Chairman, Geoff Heal.

Please click here to read the Chairmans letter.

Talk Through

We are unable to circulate the latest edition of the Force Magazine ‘Talk Through’ however it can be accessed on-line via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/talk-through-magazines

Membership Services

We are sorry to announce that Hoseasons and Cottages.com have terminated their agreement with us. The company have told us that owing to the coronavirus pandemic they have decided to rationalise their business and cease working with any partner that doesn’t meet certain volume thresholds.

The Charity for Civil Servants: here for you

The Charity for Civil Servants supports all civil servants, past and present, throughout their lives, when times are tough, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support. And they really do help with whatever problems you may have. 

In these challenging times we want to remind you that the Charity is here for you. All our wellbeing support has been brought together in one easy place, giving access to online help, wellbeing webinars, the Wellbeing Hub and DogBot. 

The Charity’s support covers a wide range of issues including Money Advice, Wellbeing  and Caring.

We encourage people to sign up to receive regular updates and wellbeing content from us. Click here to sign up, and don’t forget to share this with colleagues.

You may find it helpful to visit the Charity’s website – www.foryoubyyou.org.uk – to find out more about its help and advisory services or to see how you can get involved; or call 0800 056 2424 for further information.

ROA News & Alerts

July 2022

Money worries? Support is available from The Charity for Civil Servants 
Whatever your role within the Civil Service, you’ll be impacted by the rising costs of living, whether that be energy costs, fuel for your car or the cost of your weekly shop. 
The Charity for Civil Servants can help with all sorts of financial issues caused by an unexpected change in circumstances – whether your income has suddenly reduced or you’re unable to pay for essential items that need replacing. 
Sign up to receive regular updates about the help and support provided by the Charity. And if you know anyone else who could benefit from hearing about the Charity’s support, please do share this with them. 
The Charity for Civil Servants supports all current, former and retired civil servants throughout their lives, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support.

May 2022

PSPC General Secretaries Report AGM 2022

Please click here to read.

March 2022

State Pension Age Review Consultation Response from the Public Service Pensioners Council

Please click here to read.

Government Reply on Triple Lock dated 01 December 2021 – Please click here to read the attached correspondence.

Government Reply on Winter Fuel Allowance dated 02 March 2022 – Please click here to read the attached correspondence.

January 2022

Please click here to read Issue 6 of the ROA News.

PSPC Briefing : HM Treasury launches consultation on Public Service pensions Cost-Cap mechanism

July 2021

Please click here to view further details.

Financial support from The Charity for Civil Servants

11/09/2020

Life throws up many challenges, and frequently they go hand in hand with money worries. Particularly at this current time, financial worries can be intertwined with fears around the pandemic.

The Charity can help with all sorts of financial issues, whether your income has suddenly reduced from job loss or ill health, or whether you’re unable to pay for essential items that need replacing. You may have taken the steps to leave a relationship and need to move on, or you may have lost someone and find it hard to cope financially, as well as struggling with bereavement.

They can’t promise to pay for everything you need, but they’ll work with you to understand what they can help with, and look at your individual needs in confidence and without judgement.

For further information about the many ways the Charity can help, take a look at their website or call to speak to an Adviser in confidence on Freephone 0800 056 2424

Chairman’s Brief to ROA Members

30/03/2020

I feel that in these very difficult times I should update members on matters currently impacting on the ROA.

The first very unpleasant task is to inform you all that our Treasurer Peter Haddock passed away very suddenly in Tenerife, on Monday 23rd March 2020, having suffered two strokes.  Peter always spent several months during the winter in Tenerife.   Peter was cremated on Friday 27th March and his ashes will be returned to the UK in due course when the family hope to hold a memorial service for him.  I will try and keep you informed on these as and when I am made aware   He will be greatly missed by all, especially myself and he does leave a huge gap in the Committee.  His enthusiasm and drive to his task was outstanding.

Ken Hicks has stepped forward and stated that he will undertake the task of Treasurer.  Thank you very much Ken you are a pillar of strength.

I know that some of you are very concerned in respect to the Coronavirus outbreak and its effect on our AGM/Reunion in Harrogate.  I share your concerns and have contacted the hotel to see where we stand in respect to our contract with them.  The lady whom I am dealing with has come back to me and stated that under the terms of our contract we can cancel up to 28 days prior to the event.  I do not at this stage want to have a knee jerk reaction as I am hoping that this pandemic will have dissipated by September at the latest.

As of today I have 26 members who have applied.  The numbers at this point in time are well down on previous years and I understand the reason, but we cannot run our AGM/Reunion on such numbers.   Therefore, I have decided that the closing date of 1st May 2020 will be extended.  I have until the beginning of September 2020 to make a decision.  I do not want to cancel outright and have said to the hotel that should this pandemic continue well into the summer then I will postpone the 2020 AGM/Reunion until Oct 2021 and still go to the Crowne Plaza, Harrogate.  I feel that the hotel is under these circumstances being more than fair with us, so I want to be fair to them.  This would be an unprecedented step never taken before, but in today’s climate I must think of the Association and its members

The date as stated on the Application for final payment is the 1st August 2020 and I am prepared to accept full payment up to that date, forsaking the deposit payment date.  This, should the AGM/Reunion go ahead, allow me time to collate names, bank cheques, forward list of those attending to the hotel, complete the Programme and write a speech.   I hope that you all bear with me on this matter and I know that if I have to cancel then it is out with our Constitution, but we are living in very strange times.

The Association has, some years ago, almost had to close down due to lack of funds.  Thankfully, we are not currently in that situation.   Having said that we do not have extensive amounts in our bank account and it must be managed with care. We do our best to keep the cost as low as we can get it and therefore my message is we, the Committee, are working hard to keep the ROA going with whatever support and advice we can offer, but we cannot do it without your support.

Both myself and Jenny hope that you all stay safe and healthy.  We look forward to seeing as many of you as can make in Harrogate.  If anyone has any queries or concerns then myself or David King are here.

Geoff Heal  Chairman MDP ROA

Annual Contribution

A reminder from our Membership Secretary that in addition to the Life Membership fee of £20, there is an annual contribution of £5 per family household payable to the association.

IMPORTANT: You could be owed a tax refund

For full details please click here

If you pay tax, there’s a fairly high chance you’ve paid too much!

Over 1 in 3 taxpayers have paid more tax than they needed to after being given the wrong tax code by HMRC.

Checking you’ve been given the right tax code is even more important now, as there are new tax allowances that if you’re entitled to use them, could see you losing over £662 this year alone if you miss out.

If you wish to use this service, the main facts you need to know are:

  • Your review is FREE if you do not get a tax refund
  • For every £1 you get back off HMRC, you keep 62p (minimum fee £38*)
  • You also keep ALL the money you save where you get a new tax code

To find out if you are due a refund click here

This is your hard earned money. Why let The Revenue keep it?

* If your refund is under £38, the minimum fee will be reduced to the same value as your refund so you have nothing more to pay.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Call The Tax Refund Company Customer Service Team on

0161 968 7345 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) or see our FAQ’s at www.thetaxrefundcompany.co.uk/faqs

This website theme developed by the bookies such as sports betting sites not on Gamstop site which is a non UK gambling sites nonukgambling.com for games such as casino, poker and sports betting

Close Menu
MENU