About to retire?
If you are retiring, you may be eligible to move to our fully retired category.
Our discounted retired membership rate is open to existing members.
Continue to connect with others and influence what matters in social work today. Members must have held continuous membership for at least the last five years to benefit from the special retired rate.
This option is only available to existing and current BASW members who have had a BASW membership for at least 5 full years.
| Category | Direct Debit / monthly |
|---|---|
| Fully retired | £10.25 / month |
*Please note that moving to this category means that, due to insurance terms and conditions, we cannot move you back to a working category. You might want to consider our unemployed/unpaid category. The unemployed/unpaid membership category also provides you with Run Off insurance but would allow you to move back to a working category if needed. Find out more about Run Off insurance further down the page.
Member benefits
- Have an active role in creating a fairer society and support the next generation
We continue to lobby UK government for a better understanding of social work and social workers.
We are campaigning for improved professional working conditions, relationship-based practice and for an end to and poverty.
- Stay protected with £5 million indemnity insurance cover to suit your needs
Continue to be covered after you retire and benefit from "run off" insurance should a claim be made against you, after you have stopped practising social work.
This covers you for work previously undertaken whilst you were a member of BASW in one of our working categories.
Insurance cover FAQs
Why would I need insurance in retirement?
This helps social workers cover themselves against claims that relate to work carried out prior to retiring. This insurance is called 'Run off' insurance. Covering you for work previously undertaken whilst you were a member of BASW in one of our working categories
What is Run off insurance?
'Run off' insurance is professional indemnity insurance which covers historic liabilities. In relation to professional indemnity insurance, any work carried out in the past will be insured against future legal action, providing the work was completed within the coverage dates and your membership is unbroken and is still active.
Run off cover is important for social workers who remain legally liable for their work for six years after it is completed. This means you would need to continue your BASW membership to benefit from this although you would change from a working category to a retirement category.
If you are coming up to retirement or want to discuss this, please contact the membership team for more information.
- Stay connected with the profession
Access free or subsidised events and enjoy up to 75% off subscriptions to print editions of The British Journal of Social Work and Practice: Social Work in Action
Stay in touch with colleagues by attending our exclusive networking opportunities, including online and regional events, Members’ Forum and special interest groups.
- Keep up-to-date
Enjoy the UK’s only printed social work magazine Professional Social Work Magazine, delivered directly to your door six times a year and access digital editions on the BASW website.
Our weekly emails keep you fully briefed on news affecting the profession, updates on campaigns and developments within BASW.
As a member, you can…
- Extend your networks online and offline through regional branches, special interest groups, events, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
- Uphold the highest professional standards and practice with BASW’s Code of Ethics
- Join the powerful voice of 22,000+ members building the strength and influence of social work and calling for urgent action on issues that really matter.
