PRO, the Swedish National Pensioners’ Organisation

PRO is the largest pensioners’ organisation in Sweden with 403 614 members (31 Dec. 2008).

Founded

PRO was founded on 1 March 1942. Those who were involved in developing the major national movements at the turn of the century had at the time become pensioners, and recognised the need for a pensioners’ organisation. The pensioners were in a miserable financial and social situation and the pensioners’ needs were crying out to be drafted and heard in public debate. But those who at the time stood for the organisation of the country’s pensioners also saw the need to fill the empty space left when you leave your job, the need to create meeting places.

Task

PRO’s task is to look after the interests of pensioners in various social issues and to run self-reliant operations from which the members can take pleasure and gain fellowship.

Politically Independent

PRO has from the start been a politically independent organisation open to all pensioners. The regulations state that: "The National Organisation and its local and regional bodies are independent in relation to political parties and neutral to religious societies and sobriety organisations".

Important Issues

Over the years, PRO has worked towards better State pension, Employers’ Pension Contributions, additional pension benefits, supplementary housing allowance, good homes for the elderly, extended medical treatment and geriatric care, as well as reasonable fees for care, dental care and medicine. These issues are still relevant. PRO has in recent years, among other things, fought for increased Government contributions to geriatric care and medical treatment, increased supplementary housing allowance and fair taxes for pensioners. PRO has a comprehensive consumer business with price reduction groups.

Influence

PRO deliberates with the Government in the Government’s pensioners’ committee, calls on Parliament’s committee, participates in State investigations, acts as a referral body and participates in the local authorities’, county councils’ and regions’ pensioners’ boards.

Membership

All those who collect some form of pension can become members of PRO. This applies to retirement pension, sickness benefit (formerly early retirement pension), agreement pension, widow’s pension and survivor’s pension. In addition, a person who is himself / herself not a pensioner but is a husband, wife or cohabiting partner of a PRO member can become a member of PRO.

What More Do You Get for Your Membership Fees?

• You receive PROpensionären, a magazine (one copy per household), 9 issues a year.
• Accident insurance that applies to PRO events or when you are on your way to or from a PRO event.
• As a member, you can take out PRO’s beneficial members’ insurances - group life assurance, accident insurance and home insurance.
• As a member, you can participate in all association activities and study at PRO’s Folk high school in Gysinge, with reduced fee.
• Free IT-support and possibility to participate in PROs Community PROpensionätet.
• Other national and local benefits

PRO’s Folk High School in Gysinge

PRO’s residential study centre and folk high school in picturesque Gysinge by Dalälven in Gästrikland is unique. It is the world’s only folk high school for pensioners, run by a pensioners’ organisation. There is a day folk high school in Stockholm with external courses. The course programme includes both association courses and general courses in subjects such as English, computers, senior dance, Qi-Gong, everyday law, genealogy and craft courses. Gysinge, which lies in Färnebofjärden national park, is also a popular trip destination for PRO associations.

PRO’s National Lottery

Thanks to PRO’s National lottery, contributions can be given to PRO’s folk high school in Gysinge. Special contributions are given towards district courses and association leader courses at Gysinge, plus towards travel allowances so that everyone can participate, irrespective of where in the country he/she lives.

Grand Tours - Travel Enjoyment for Mature Tastes

Grand Tours is PRO’s own travel company with PRO as majority owner. Among other things, eventful meeting trips to interesting destinations are arranged for PRO members. Grand Tours also organises regular trips to nearby destinations as well as to foreign countries. Members have reduced prices.