More about OSPA

OSPA's primary objects are to represent, safeguard and promote the interests of its members in all matters relating to their pensions. OSPA's efforts resulted in HMG agreeing to pay inflation-linked increases to the basic colonial pensions (including widows' pensions) through SPOS (Supplementary Pension for Overseas Service), and subsequently to take over the payment of the pensions so that they are now paid from British Government funds.  Without those measures almost all the pensions would have become worthless. OSPA negotiated the grant of War Service Credit to qualifying HMOCS personnel, and improvements for pensioners of the former Central African Federation. OSPA has also secured substantial arrears of pensions or SPOS for some individual pensioners.

OSPA continues to negotiate with HMG on behalf of pensioners who served in Hong Kong, Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and the Central African Federation, which have their own different pension arrangements.

OSPA belongs to the Public Service Pensioners' Council, covering about 30 pensioners' associations representing some 2 million pensioners. That Council seeks to influence the Government and political parties in Britain in the interests of pensioners. Among the aims is to end the Government's policy of denying annual increases to the UK State Retirement Pension paid to pensioners (including Overseas Service ones) who have gone to live in certain countries overseas, such as Australia and South Africa. Also improved pension terms for some widows.

OSPA has been advising members about their possible eligibility to be allowed to make back-payments of British National Insurance contributions in order to qualify for an increase in the State Retirement  Pension.  This applies in certain cases where an officer can satisfy the official authorities that he had not known that he could have paid voluntary National Insurance contributions while serving overseas, and so consequently he is receiving a reduced pension.  There have been a number of successful applications.

OSPA can advise or help on other individual questions relating to Overseas Service pensions. This may involve approaching the relevant pension paying authority, which is usually either the Overseas Pensions Department of the Department for International Development, or the Crown Agents  Bank (Pensions Services).

OSPA itself does not pay the pensions.

Social and Other Activities

The OSPA journal, the Overseas Pensioner, is published twice a year, free to members. It covers general Colonial Service topics, with memoirs, book reviews, obituary notices as well as any current pensions news. It also gives details of the activities of the various related Colonial Service groups. For more information about the Journal click here.

OSPA gives encouragement and support to institutions which promote knowledge and understanding of Colonial Service matters. These include the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at London University, and University Libraries in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. Click to see a list of links and contacts.

An annual Reunion Luncheon is held in London each summer, to co-incide with the Annual General Meeting. Other annual reunion functions are arranged in different parts of the country too.

The OSPA office can supply (to members only) address lists of OSPA members by their territory of service, UK county, or country of residence, to help former colleagues to make contact.