Blog
A deep-dive into a variety of pension topics to help you understand and learn more about your pension and the Scheme.
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6/6/2025
Editorial
<p><strong>You’ve spent 40 years in the rail industry. Can you tell us a bit about your experience?</strong><br></p><p>It’s been a huge privilege to be a part of an industry that is so vital to so many people across the country. The railways have constantly evolved and transformed over the last 40 years, which has provided me with numerous opportunities to try new things, grow my skills and eventually lead on key changes within the industry.<br></p><p>I have worked with so many good people at all levels who make the railway work, sometimes in the hardest of circumstances. The commitment, resilience and dedication of rail staff never ceases to amaze me and is a big reason why I stayed in the industry for so long. I have been very fortunate that so many people have helped me progress to where I am, and I must thank them for that.<br></p><p>I have lots of favourite memories that are as diverse as the roles I have had - from clearing snow off the platforms, providing customer service at Waterloo during disruption, to planning and delivering new payroll and pension systems. I particularly enjoyed mentoring and developing people, a number who have gone on to thrive in the industry. <br></p><p>Ultimately, my best memories all involve successes that have come from teamwork with the countless people I have worked with over the time.<br></p><p><strong>What interested you in becoming Chair of the Trustee?</strong><br></p><p>Good pension provision is essential for financial security and dignity in later life and it fills me with purpose. I have a good understanding of pensions from the member and employer point of view, which is critical to my role. I felt I could bring the skills and experience built up during my career to the Trustee Board and Railpen (the Scheme’s administrator) to develop the long-term strategic direction, and to improve the service for members.<br></p><p>Trustees represent the voices of our current and future members. This is vital during times of potential government policy change where we champion good pension provision as imperative not only to the members, but to the economy and society.<br></p><p>It’s a fascinating time in rail as the government considers its plans for renationalisation. As the industry’s pensions expert, the Trustee and Railpen stand ready to support this work.<br></p><p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your role? </strong><br></p><p>We can make a real difference to people’s lives in the future by managing the Scheme well. I enjoy working with the team of Trustees and the Railpen team, supported by our advisers, to deliver the best possible outcomes for members.</p><p><strong>What do the Trustee do to help members of the railways pension schemes?</strong> <br></p><p>The Trustee oversees the running of the Scheme. We keep our promises, make sure funds are there to pay benefits, ensure it’s governed well and help to protect benefits from fraud. All trustees are incredibly passionate about supporting members to make the best decisions to meet their future needs. <br></p><p><strong>When it comes to your pension, is there anything you learned the hard way, that you wish you’d known sooner?</strong></p><p>I was lucky because I became aware of my pension very early in my career, and the benefit of saving extra money into BRASS (the Scheme’s AVC fund for Defined Benefit members).<br></p><p>As my grandparents lived long lives but didn’t have good pension options, this made me really passionate about good pension provision and conscious of the need to save for a pension from the start. The railway made this easy for me. <br></p><p><strong>What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?</strong><br></p><p>I enjoy walking, gardening, reading, baking, seeing family and travelling. For many years, I’ve volunteered and have been a leader in Guiding for 12 years. I still occasionally help out with events and camps. <br></p><p><strong>What are you looking forward to when you retire? </strong><br></p><p>I seem to be blessed with good health, and look after myself well. To me, retirement is just another phase of my life. I have many things I’d still like to do. I like my garden and growing food so will continue that but will fit it around other activities like travelling and volunteering. <br></p><p><strong>What tips can you share from your retirement planning journey? </strong><br></p><p>It’s never too late to start looking after your health, financially and physically, as this will pay off in the future. If you’re able to get off and walk the last stop to your destination, or walk upstairs instead of using the lift, go for it. If you can afford it, think about saving more into Additional Voluntary Contributions. At least 10 years before you retire, I’d suggest doing some financial planning, using all the helpful tools on the website, really thinking about what you’ll need in retirement and what you’ll be able to afford.<br></p><p><strong>Will you be able or want to stop working altogether?</strong><br></p><p>It’s important to actively manage your transition from working to retiring, especially if you’ve worked full time. Discuss it with friends and family and think carefully about what you’ll do with your time if you stop working.</p>
<p><strong>You’ve spent 40 years in the rail industry. Can you tell us a bit about your experience?</strong><br></p><p>It’s been a huge privilege to be a part of an industry that is so vital to so many people across the country. The railways have constantly evolved and transformed over the last 40 years, which has provided me with numerous opportunities to try new things, grow my skills and eventually lead on key changes within the industry.<br></p><p>I have worked with so many good people at all levels who make the railway work, sometimes in the hardest of circumstances. The commitment, resilience and dedication of rail staff never ceases to amaze me and is a big reason why I stayed in the industry for so long. I have been very fortunate that so many people have helped me progress to where I am, and I must thank them for that.<br></p><p>I have lots of favourite memories that are as diverse as the roles I have had - from clearing snow off the platforms, providing customer service at Waterloo during disruption, to planning and delivering new payroll and pension systems. I particularly enjoyed mentoring and developing people, a number who have gone on to thrive in the industry. <br></p><p>Ultimately, my best memories all involve successes that have come from teamwork with the countless people I have worked with over the time.<br></p><p><strong>What interested you in becoming Chair of the Trustee?</strong><br></p><p>Good pension provision is essential for financial security and dignity in later life and it fills me with purpose. I have a good understanding of pensions from the member and employer point of view, which is critical to my role. I felt I could bring the skills and experience built up during my career to the Trustee Board and Railpen (the Scheme’s administrator) to develop the long-term strategic direction, and to improve the service for members.<br></p><p>Trustees represent the voices of our current and future members. This is vital during times of potential government policy change where we champion good pension provision as imperative not only to the members, but to the economy and society.<br></p><p>It’s a fascinating time in rail as the government considers its plans for renationalisation. As the industry’s pensions expert, the Trustee and Railpen stand ready to support this work.<br></p><p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your role? </strong><br></p><p>We can make a real difference to people’s lives in the future by managing the Scheme well. I enjoy working with the team of Trustees and the Railpen team, supported by our advisers, to deliver the best possible outcomes for members.</p><p><strong>What do the Trustee do to help members of the railways pension schemes?</strong> <br></p><p>The Trustee oversees the running of the Scheme. We keep our promises, make sure funds are there to pay benefits, ensure it’s governed well and help to protect benefits from fraud. All trustees are incredibly passionate about supporting members to make the best decisions to meet their future needs. <br></p><p><strong>When it comes to your pension, is there anything you learned the hard way, that you wish you’d known sooner?</strong></p><p>I was lucky because I became aware of my pension very early in my career, and the benefit of saving extra money into BRASS (the Scheme’s AVC fund for Defined Benefit members).<br></p><p>As my grandparents lived long lives but didn’t have good pension options, this made me really passionate about good pension provision and conscious of the need to save for a pension from the start. The railway made this easy for me. <br></p><p><strong>What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?</strong><br></p><p>I enjoy walking, gardening, reading, baking, seeing family and travelling. For many years, I’ve volunteered and have been a leader in Guiding for 12 years. I still occasionally help out with events and camps. <br></p><p><strong>What are you looking forward to when you retire? </strong><br></p><p>I seem to be blessed with good health, and look after myself well. To me, retirement is just another phase of my life. I have many things I’d still like to do. I like my garden and growing food so will continue that but will fit it around other activities like travelling and volunteering. <br></p><p><strong>What tips can you share from your retirement planning journey? </strong><br></p><p>It’s never too late to start looking after your health, financially and physically, as this will pay off in the future. If you’re able to get off and walk the last stop to your destination, or walk upstairs instead of using the lift, go for it. If you can afford it, think about saving more into Additional Voluntary Contributions. At least 10 years before you retire, I’d suggest doing some financial planning, using all the helpful tools on the website, really thinking about what you’ll need in retirement and what you’ll be able to afford.<br></p><p><strong>Will you be able or want to stop working altogether?</strong><br></p><p>It’s important to actively manage your transition from working to retiring, especially if you’ve worked full time. Discuss it with friends and family and think carefully about what you’ll do with your time if you stop working.</p>
Blog
Interview with your Trustee Chair, Christine Kernoghan
We speak to Christine Kernoghan about the role she plays in overseeing the railways pension schemes, what she enjoys and what she’s learned after a long career in the railway industry.
You’ve spent 40 years in the rail industry. Can you tell us a bit about your experience?
It’s been a huge privilege to be a part of an industry that is so vital to so many people across the country. The railways have constantly evolved and transformed over the last 40 years, which has provided me with numerous opportunities to try new things, grow my skills and eventually lead on key changes within the industry.
I have worked with so many good people at all levels who make the railway work, sometimes in the hardest of circumstances. The commitment, resilience and dedication of rail staff never ceases to amaze me and is a big reason why I stayed in the industry for so long. I have been very fortunate that so many people have helped me progress to where I am, and I must thank them for that.
I have lots of favourite memories that are as diverse as the roles I have had - from clearing snow off the platforms, providing customer service at Waterloo during disruption, to planning and delivering new payroll and pension systems. I particularly enjoyed mentoring and developing people, a number who have gone on to thrive in the industry.
Ultimately, my best memories all involve successes that have come from teamwork with the countless people I have worked with over the time.
What interested you in becoming Chair of the Trustee?
Good pension provision is essential for financial security and dignity in later life and it fills me with purpose. I have a good understanding of pensions from the member and employer point of view, which is critical to my role. I felt I could bring the skills and experience built up during my career to the Trustee Board and Railpen (the Scheme’s administrator) to develop the long-term strategic direction, and to improve the service for members.
Trustees represent the voices of our current and future members. This is vital during times of potential government policy change where we champion good pension provision as imperative not only to the members, but to the economy and society.
It’s a fascinating time in rail as the government considers its plans for renationalisation. As the industry’s pensions expert, the Trustee and Railpen stand ready to support this work.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
We can make a real difference to people’s lives in the future by managing the Scheme well. I enjoy working with the team of Trustees and the Railpen team, supported by our advisers, to deliver the best possible outcomes for members.
What do the Trustee do to help members of the railways pension schemes?
The Trustee oversees the running of the Scheme. We keep our promises, make sure funds are there to pay benefits, ensure it’s governed well and help to protect benefits from fraud. All trustees are incredibly passionate about supporting members to make the best decisions to meet their future needs.
When it comes to your pension, is there anything you learned the hard way, that you wish you’d known sooner?
I was lucky because I became aware of my pension very early in my career, and the benefit of saving extra money into BRASS (the Scheme’s AVC fund for Defined Benefit members).
As my grandparents lived long lives but didn’t have good pension options, this made me really passionate about good pension provision and conscious of the need to save for a pension from the start. The railway made this easy for me.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy walking, gardening, reading, baking, seeing family and travelling. For many years, I’ve volunteered and have been a leader in Guiding for 12 years. I still occasionally help out with events and camps.
What are you looking forward to when you retire?
I seem to be blessed with good health, and look after myself well. To me, retirement is just another phase of my life. I have many things I’d still like to do. I like my garden and growing food so will continue that but will fit it around other activities like travelling and volunteering.
What tips can you share from your retirement planning journey?
It’s never too late to start looking after your health, financially and physically, as this will pay off in the future. If you’re able to get off and walk the last stop to your destination, or walk upstairs instead of using the lift, go for it. If you can afford it, think about saving more into Additional Voluntary Contributions. At least 10 years before you retire, I’d suggest doing some financial planning, using all the helpful tools on the website, really thinking about what you’ll need in retirement and what you’ll be able to afford.
Will you be able or want to stop working altogether?
It’s important to actively manage your transition from working to retiring, especially if you’ve worked full time. Discuss it with friends and family and think carefully about what you’ll do with your time if you stop working.
