 |
Missing Data / Ill Health Review / NHS Pensions Scheme - Press Release / Local Governement Pension Scheme / SPPA Pensions Admin System / Scottish NHS & STSS Scheme Reforms / SPPA Stakeholder Survey 2006 / Introduction to Pensions Regulator / Misc Links
For scheme specific news please visit the Latest Scheme News page on the relevant scheme area of the website.
The new Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland (27/06/08)
Regulations which set out the new Local Government Pensin Scheme (LGPS) in Scotland were laid in the Scottish Parliament on 6th June 2008 and come into force on 1 April 2009. SPN/LG Circulars Nos. 2 and 3 provide further information and can be accessed on the Local Government Scheme Circulars area of this website.
The Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland (14/02/2008)
The Scottish Government today issued a Press Release to announce the agreement reached by SLOGPAG. A copy of the Press Release and Heads of Agreement document, signed by all parties involved in discussions, can be accessed by following the links below.
Press Release (PDF 51kb) Heads of Agreement document (PDF 574kb)
Also available from today is a Report and Summary of responses received during the consultation exercise held between 30 July 2007 and 31 October 2007 on the proposals for the new LGPS. These can be accessed by following the links below.
Report (PDF 85kb) Annex A - Summary of Responses (PDF 234kb)
Consultation is now underway on the draft regulations and the consultation documents can be accessed on the LGPS Consultation Page
Consultation on regulations to bring in nhs pension scheme reform changes from 1 april 2008 (Consultation Period 28th January 2008 to 10th March 2008
Draft regulations to bring in changes to the current NHS scheme (amendments to The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1995) and also a new set of regulations governing those who join the scheme from 1 April 2008 for the first time (The NHS Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2008) are now available for consultation. To access these documents, please use the link to take you to the NHS page of the Pension Reforms & Taxation area
Missing Data - resolved (return to top)
Issues surrounding missing data have been resolved. The following are press releases issued by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Scottish Government.
Scottish Government Statement
PENSION PACKAGE LOCATED
Following detailed investigation over the last 48 hours the one package of printed pension benefit statements that could not be accounted for has now been located. This package was located at Stobhill Hospital where it was intended to be delivered. The issues raised by this case will be considered as part of the Government’s review of data management.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:
“We were always confident that the single missing package out of 162 would be found safely, as the correct procedures were followed at all stages, enabling traceability checks to be successfully conducted.
“However, even though the data contained no addresses or bank account details, we were right to take the issue seriously. The review underway around data handling issues in the Scottish Government will proceed, as we are very clear that the Scottish Government will deal with these important matters competently and effectively.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde statement regarding unaccounted for pension statements (return to top)
Following the alert to the unaccounted for package of pension statements on Friday, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde payroll staff instigated a thorough audit of all documents and mail received from Fed Ex.
This audit has continued over the course of the weekend and earlier today the unaccounted for package was located at Stobhill Hospital's payroll offices.
Tom Divers, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde , said: I am pleased that the pension statements of these staff have been located.
Together with our Director of Finance, I will instigate tomorrow a thorough audit to establish how this has happened and ensure that any shortcomings in the processes which are currently in place are addressed. The outcome of this investigation will be urgently reported to the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland
Ill Health Review Consultation (Launched 24th October 2007) (return to top)
In the consultation on the main pension reforms SPensiR indicated that a separate review of ill-health retirement and injury benefits was being carried out and that further consultation would take place. We have come to the end of this review in relation to the ill-health element and SPensiR are seeking comments on a set of proposals which have been agreed in partnership. The closing date for receipt of comments is 14th December 2007. Further information on the proposals and how to respond can be accessed on the NHS area of the Pension Reforms & Taxation Page
NHS Pension Scheme – Press Release (18 October 2007) (return to top)
Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Wellbeing and Finance and Sustainable Growth announced the introduction of changes to the current NHS pension scheme.
Press Release (pdf 48Kb).
The changes which take effect from 1 April 2008 and have been agreed and proposed by the Scottish Pensions Review Group (SPensiR). SPensiR is made up of representatives of NHS Employers, Trade Unions, professional organisations and officials from the Scottish Government.
Further details of the changes can be found on our NHS pension reform page.
Local Government Pension Scheme – Press Release (30 July 2007) (return to top)
SPPA is pleased to announce that proposals have been outlined for the new Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in Scotland. The consultation process is now underway and views and comments are welcomed from all those with an interest in the scheme.
For further information and to access the consultation documents, please follow this link to take you to the LGPS Pension Reforms area of our website.
SPPA Pension Administration System - Press Release (30 March 2007) (return to top)
SPPA is pleased to announce that the contract for the Pension Administration System has been awarded to heywood Ltd. Please use the attached link for further information.
Scottish NHS and Teachers’ pension schemes reforms (15 February 2007) (return to top)
The recent consultation periods relating to the proposed reforms of NHS and Teachers’ pensions schemes have now ended. Summaries of consultation responses for each scheme are available by clicking the following links. NHS Responses (pdf 37Kb)
STSS Responses Introduction(pdf21Kb) STSS Responses - individual questions (pdf48Kb)
These consultation responses have been considered and the proposed reforms will now be taken forward. Draft regulations that will implement the reforms to the Teachers’ scheme have been issued for consultation. Further details can be accessed through the following link to the Scottish Teachers Scheme Reforms page in the Pensions Reforms & Taxation area of this website.
SPPA Stakeholder Surveys 2006 (pdf Kb) (July 2006) (return to top)
An Introduction to the Pensions Regulator (pdf 23Kb) (Feb 2006) (return to top)
The Pensions Regulator is a new regulator of work-based pension schemes, it replaces the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA). The Pensions Regulator has new powers and a new approach to protecting pension benefits. Follow the link above for more information.
Independent Pensions Commission: First Report (Reviewed 1/9/2005)
Preston Cases (Reviewed 1/9/2005)
Dr Judith Brown Report - Review of Ill Health Retirement
Ageism - Discrimination of the grounds of age (Reviewed 1/9/2005)
Simplifying the taxation of pensions (Reviewed 19/12/2005)
Pension Scheme Reforms - Principles Agreed See also DTI Press Release and Framework Principles (Reviewed 24/10/2005)
Gender Recognition Act 2004 (Reviewed 1/9/2005)
Report by Policy Pensions Institute [PPI] (Reviewed 1/9/2005)
The Pensions Commission has completed its review of the UK private pension system and long-term savings and their Second Report was published on 30th November 2005 (Reviewed 2/12/2005).
return to top