The NatWest Group – Pensioners Benevolent Fund

Check if you are Eligible.

About us

The NatWest Group Pensioners Benevolent Fund (formerly known as the RBS Group Pensioners Benevolent Fund) is a registered charity for retired employees and their dependants and is totally independent of the Bank. It is managed by a board of Trustees, all volunteers, who are retired and serving employees.

If you are retired, receive a pension from a current or former company of the NatWest banking group, or you contributed to one of the group’s pension schemes during your employment but transferred your pension to another provider and are now taking the benefits, you (and your dependants) are eligible to apply.

Also eligible to apply are women who worked for the Group’s constituent banks prior to 1976 and were excluded from joining the various non-contributory final salary pension schemes until they had completed either 10 years’ service or reached age 30.

The Fund was set up in 1979 with a donation of £1000 from the NatWest Group Pensioners’ Association. Since its launch, no funding has been received directly from the Bank. Instead, income has been received from legacies, bequests and donations from retirees, and deposit interest and dividends from investments. Over the last twenty years, the Benevolent Fund has granted more than £500,000 to pensioners needing a helping hand. Perhaps we can help you towards the cost of a needed item.

“We consider ourselves to be well blessed to receive such a generous contribution that you have sacrificed which will go a long way to relieving any further stresses we may have in the future.”

Brian

“I would like to thank you very much for the funds given to Mrs R towards the stairlift. Since her stroke last year her costs have been spiralling and this has taken a worry off her shoulders.”

Mrs D

“My grateful thanks for the cheque for the mattress. I am delighted to tell you that after only three nights the pain in my back and limbs has abated.”

Patricia

“Thank you once again for the financial help with my dental and optician expenses.”

Ian

I recalled the Benevolent Fund from my days working with NatWest and with some hesitation I contacted them to see if they could help me out. The Trustee I spoke to was warm, friendly and understanding and suggested I complete an application form. Almost by return of post I received a most generous offer along with a cheque for which I was extremely pleased and grateful. I have now taken delivery of my new lift and rise chair which is such a help to me. Thank you so very much for your kindness and prompt attention.

Pauline

MEET OUR TRUSTEES

The NatWest Group Pensioners Benevolent Fund is an independent registered charity for retired RBSG/ NatWest Group employees and their dependants. The fund is managed by a board of Trustees, all volunteers, the majority of whom are retired Group employees themselves.

Linda Webster

Linda is chair of the board of trustees. She lives in Edinburgh and worked for RBSG for 20 years, until 2011, all of them in Technology Services. As well as the Benevolent Fund, Linda also volunteers with the RVS, supporting the Edinburgh Library Link service.

Walter Brown

Walter is an Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute. He joined Coutts & Co in London direct from college. After subsequent spells as a lender manager with Toronto-Dominion Bank and National Bank of Kuwait, he went on to co-found his own recruitment business in 1987, specialising in the financial sector. Following retirement, he became a trustee of the Benevolent Fund in 2021.

Megan Virrels

Megan joined the board of trustees in 2022. She worked for the NatWest Group for 17 years, most recently as CEO of an impact lending charity, following earlier roles at Barclays and JPMorgan. She also serves as a trustee for Postcode Innovation Trust and Homes for Good (Scotland) CIC and lives in Kent with her husband, two stepsons and a chocolate labrador.

Tyler Ives

Tyler joined the board of trustees in 2024. Tyler is an HR Consultant with experience in Reward and Employment. With a commercial background in organisational culture change, Tyler joined NatWest Group in 2022. Residing in Manchester with her husband and three children, Tyler has volunteered in various community roles, including School Governor and British Transport Police panellist.

Laura Wales

Laura joined the board of trustees in 2024. She joined the NatWest Group in 2022 as a Senior Compliance Manager. Prior to this, she spent 15 years as a regulatory compliance specialist in the consumer credit and debt advice sector, with a focus on supporting vulnerable customers.

Sandra Blaga

Sandra is an AI Industry Solutions Lead at Swift, where she is responsible for driving industry-wide AI solution strategies. She previously joined NatWest Group in 2019 via the Graduate Programme and held roles in strategy, innovation and AI delivery, focusing on finance, risk and customer proposition. Sandra is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and the transformative power of technology. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2024.

Aileen Clark

Aileen was appointed as a trustee for the Benevolent Fund in March 2026. Prior to this she worked in financial services for RBS, Barclays and latterly Lloyds Bank for over 40 years, holding senior roles delivering transformational change. Aileen loves living in Edinburgh with her husband Robert.

Cheryl Payne

Cheryl was appointed as a trustee for the Benevolent Fund in March 2026. She is currently the Trustee Chief Risk Officer for the HSBC (UK) Pension Scheme, and in her early career worked for Coutts and Co. Cheryl lives in Surrey with her husband and team of Newfoundland dogs.

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