University of Bristol Retirement Association
We are a friendly group, and find the talks provide a point of interest when work no longer fills the days
This University of Bristol Retirement Association is a Social club run by retirees for retirees. We organise talks on a variety of subjects given by speakers often referred to us by members who belong to other groups.
Who?
The group is open to all university retirees and their partners. Our members come from many different departments and carried out diverse roles within the University. In the event of the retiree no longer being able to attend, the partner is still welcome.
We would like to welcome new members so if you are retiring soon why not come along to one of our meetings and see for yourself. Because of data protection issues we are not able to contact people directly and rely on the University web page to tell people about us.
Where?
We meet on the third Wednesday each month from 2pm to 4pm and now have a new venue at Beacon House, near the Victoria Rooms.
There is a cafe on site where we can obtain tea or coffee to complete the social occasion.
Our next meetings are as follows:
- Wednesday 16 October at 2pm at Beacon House: Martin Hall from Bristol Zoo
- Wednesday 20 November at 2pm at Beacon House: a talk entitled "The story of trade in Ham Green" by Philip Ashford from Pottery and Dundry Stone
- Wednesday 11 December at 2pm at Beacon House: AGM, quiz and a chat to round off the year!
2025
- Wednesday 19 March at 12pm: Lunch at the Brewer's Fayre
- Wednesday 16 April at October at 2pm at Beacon House: Chris Bigg, Guilty Pleasures
- Wednesday 21 May October at 2pm at Beacon House: Andy Stowe, Auctioneer
- Wednesday 18 June October at 2pm at Beacon House: Jenny Bowen, The King and his 14 Wives
- Wednesday 16 July: TBA
- Wednesday 20 August: Lunch at the Brewer's Fayre
- Wednesday 17 September: TBA
- Wednesday 15 October: TBA
- Wednesday 19 November: TBA
- Wednesday 10 December: AGM, Quiz and a chat
How?
There is no fee as we have a small budget to cover the cost of speakers, but people buy their own drinks. We occasionally have cake!!
Contact Val Barns to sign up for the next meeting.
Resources for our staff nearing retirement:
Financial Wellbeing: Preparing for Retirement
Financial Wellbeing: Approaching retirement - USS
This is a workshop for USS members approaching retirement. Do you understand your benefits options and how you can use them to shape your retirement income. We will talk you through the USS scheme, starting with the annual statement, the tools available online and shape them into a retirement plan.
To attend this workshop search 'Financial Wellbeing: Approaching retirement' on develop.
Accessing your pension benefits
Click here to view the HR page on accsessing your pension benefits.
USS flexible retirement requests
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) offers a provision which enables eligible members to take "flexible retirement", subject to their employer’s consent. This allows members to take a proportion of their pension benefits while continuing in employment at reduced hours and salary and continuing to build up pension benefits in preparation for retirement.
Click here to read more about flexible retirement requests.
Get In Touch
Contact Val Barns to ask any questions or sign up for the next meeting: