After decades of dedicated service to the railway, retirement can feel like a major change – sometimes even a lonely one. 

Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), Railpen’s official charity partner, believes that nobody should lose their sense of community because they get to enjoy spending their time as they please after a long working life.

Lots of community organisations have sadly closed down in recent years, and we’re trying to fill that gap and continue the community and camaraderie into the next, exciting stage of your life.

Discover the initiatives being delivered by RBF to reconnect rail communities in retirement.

Retired Community Events

These free, welcoming get-togethers are for retired railway workers across the UK.

Whether you were on the tracks, in the office, behind the counter, or up in the signal box – if you’ve worked or volunteered anywhere in rail, these events are for you.

To find the next retired community event near you, visit RBF’s events calendar. And, for more information or to find out how to get involved, call 0345 241 2885 or email info@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk.

Check-In And Chat

RBF’s volunteer-led Check-In And Chat service offers retired railway workers regular phone calls, giving them the chance to talk, be heard, and stay in touch with the railway. A friendly voice. A listening ear. A regular connection.

All of Check-In And Chat volunteers work in the rail industry, helping retirees keep in touch and up to date with the industry, or just there to a chat about whatever’s on their mind.

Service users will hear from the same person every week, so they can build a meaningful relationship.

All volunteers are thoroughly vetted, and the RBF team is here to support service users and volunteers every step of the way.

If you’re interested in volunteering your time, or if you’d like to find out more about how the service could benefit you or someone you know, email volunteer@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk, call 0345 241 2885 or WhatsApp 07542 847032.

Retired Fund

RBF is also there to help retirees experiencing unexpected challenges – whether it’s needing a little extra support to get around, or additional aids to support hearing and sight, needing more help to keep in contact with loved ones.

Their Retired Fund can help with the cost of walking aids, security systems at home, travel costs, items to get through the day-to-day like specialised alarm clocks, clothing to keep warm in the winter months and more.

The criteria to apply for the Retired Fund is as follows:

• You have at least five years’ experience working in rail
• You have less than £2,000 in capital if a single person, or less than £3,000 if a couple (including the value of any assets i.e. shares, second properties, land)
• You are in receipt of a pension (either private and/or State Pension)
• Spouses and widows of railway workers can also apply for support

Please note that you can only apply for one Retired Fund grant within a two-year period.

The maximum amount awarded is £500. This grant is non-repayable.

To find out more about how to apply, click here.