GSG 15-26 Retired Membership
20/May/2026
Description
The National Executive Council has decided to make necessary changes to the Retired Membership scheme for reasons set out below.
At the year ended 31st December 2025 there were 2,214 in the Retired Members’ Section. The membership fee is currently €50 per annum. As of today, it has increased further to 2,277.
The benefits include:
- Mortality Grant of €1,270 to next of kin
- Connect magazine
- Legal aid (first meeting with Union solicitor free of charge)
- Access to FM Downes & Halligan group schemes
In April 2022, the review of CWU finances by Fóla consultants outlined the payment is not sustainable into the future. At that time the membership was 1,842. To address the liability, the NEC Finance Committee recommended increasing contributions to €100 per annum from 2023 and to review the subscription rates every two years thereafter. This was recommended on the basis that the liability for Mortality Grants amounts to €2.34m. However, the proposed approach was rejected by the NEC.
The financial liability has since increased significantly to approximately €2.9m. and the Auditors has advised we need to take steps to address this or, alternatively, make provision for the payment liability in our accounts. As of now, each retired member would need to contribute for over 25 years to cover the cost of the next of kin grant.
To address this financial liability the following changes will apply:
- Abolish Mortality Grant of €1,270 to next of kin.
- For members paying yearly subscriptions, cease payment of the grant from their renewal date on or after 1st June 2026.
- For new applicants and members paying weekly/monthly subscriptions, cease payment of the grant from the 1st June 2026.
The NEC is conscious that many retired members have been loyal members of the CWU and will therefore give favourable consideration to a grant for individual hardship cases.