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Circulars

2008     2007     2006    2005    2004    2003

You will find below a list of all circulars issued to employers by our Policy department recently. These circulars are issued whenever important issues relating to the administration of the Scheme arise or when Scheme Regulations are changed.

2008

Circular 2008/17 (pdf 147kb) issued on 12 November 2008.  This circular provides information on the new structural set up of NHS Operations Teams.

Circular 2008/16 (pdf 146kb) issued on 31 October 2008.  This circular provides information on new application forms and Lifetime Allowance Protection closing date in April 2009.

Circular 2008/15 (pdf 94kb) issued on 20 September 2008.  This circular provides details of Ill health retirement applications received after 1 Octber 2008.

Circular 2008/14 (pdf 145kb) issued on the 20 August 2008. This circular contains important information regarding changes to the member pension contribution rates applicable from 1 August 2008 following the 2008/09 Agenda for Change (AfC) pay award of 2.75%.

Circular 2008/13 (pdf 144kb) issued on 19 August 2008. This circular advises changes of PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES TO SPPA.

Circular 2008/12 (pdf 49kb) issued on 7 August 2008.  This circular advises of changes to the handling of Ill Health applications and IDRP arrangements from 1 October 2008.

Circular 2008/11(pdf 546kb) issued on 2 July 2008. Regulations formalising changes to the NHS Scheme in Scotland which were effective from 1 April 2008 have now been published on the  on the “Office of Public Information” website at www.opsi.gov.uk   these are Scottish Statutory Instruments nos. SSI 2008/224, SSI 2008/225 and SSI 2008/226. The circular gives information on their content and highlights the time limited opportunity to purchase an increased survivor’s pension for membership prior to 6 April 1988 and new rules on Pensionable breaks.

The relevant SSI's can be accessed on the links below. Any previous circulars cross referenced in this circular, the calculator, forms and members guides referred to can also be accessed using the links below.

New and updated NHS Pension Regulations:

The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008  SSI 2008/226

The National Health Service (Scotland) Pension Scheme Regulations 2008  SSI 2008/224

The National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Additional Voluntary Contributions, Injury Benefits and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 SSI 2008/225

Link to calculator http://www.sppa.gov.uk/nhs/index_link.htm

Link to forms http://www.sppa.gov.uk/nhs/forms.htm

Link to members guides Updated member guides

  

Circular 2008/10 containing Annex A and B (pdf 61kb), with references to tables at Annex C (pdf 24kb) and Annex D (pdf 37k) - issued 3rd April 2008.  This circular gives guidance on the following:

Circular 2008/9 (pdf 107kb) - issued 26 March 2008.  This circular gives guidance on administration arrangements for new members from 1/4/08.

Circular 2008/4A(pdf 474kb) - issued 26 March 2008. This circular gives guidance for allocating contribution tiers for officer members.

Circular 2008/8 (pdf 169kb) - Issued 17 March 2008.  GP Practice notification giving details of Annual Returns for 2007/08.

Circular 2008/7 Addendum (pdf 53.1kb) - issued 20 May 2008.  This is an addendum to the annual return circular above.

Circular 2008/7 (pdf 72kb) - Issued 17 March 2008.  This circular gives details on Annual Returns for 2007/08.  As mentioned in item 10 of this circular, please follow the attached links to access CETV Calculator for pensions disclosure and CETV Calculator Instructions.

Circular 2008/6 (pdf 47kb) - Issued 10 March 2008. This circular gives notice about the proposed changes to ill health retirement benefits which are aimed to be intoduced from 1 April 2008.

Circular 2008/5 (pdf 102kb) - Issued 6 March 2008. Confirmation of tiered contributions which will come into effect from 01/04/08 for Practitioners.

Circular 2008/4 (pdf 1.4mb) - Issued 6 March 2008.  Confirmation of tiered contributions which will come into effect from 01/04/08 for Officer members.

Circular 2008/3 (pdf  247kb) - Issued 6 March 2008.  Overview of the Choice options which will be available in early 2009 following the scheme changes which are due to take effect from 01/04/08.

Circular 2008/2 (pdf 151kb) - Issued 28 February 2008.  Guidance on Adminstration arrangements for employing authorities to implement scheme changes for existing members.

Circular 2008/1 (pdf 72.6Kb) - issued 16 January 2008. Maternity Leave

 

2007 (return to top)

Circular 2007/9 (pdf 84Kb) - issued on 8 November 2007. Changes to administration system

Circular 2007/8 (pdf 62Kb)  - Addendum issued 25 October 2007.  This addendum updates the tier thresholds in the table for member contributions which was set out in Circular 2007/8.

Circular 2007/8 (pdf 110kb) updated version- issued 24 October 2007. This circular gives details on changes to the current NHS pension scheme and introduction of a new NHS scheme from 1 April 2008.

Circular 2007/7 (pdf 214Kb) issued 12 October 2007.  This circular provides employers with advance notification of Annual Benefits statements being prepared for issue to them, to then distribute to members.

Circular 2007/6 (pdf 78Kb) - issued 8 August 2007.  This circular gives details on Agenda for Change.  As mentioned in the circular information supplied on formatted disk is as follows: - Guidance Note for Completion (pdf 83Kb)    Full and Part Time Calculator (Xls 41Kb)            Sheet for completion and return to SPPA (Xls 1.5mb)   AFC Example (Xls 18Kb)

Circular 2007/5 (pdf 296Kb) - issued 9 March 2007. This circular gives details on Annual Returns for 2006/07.   As mentioned in item 11 of this circular, please follow the attached links to access CETV Calculator for pensions disclosure and CETV Calculator Instructions.

Circular 2007/4 (pdf 90Kb) - issued   2007.  This circular gives GP Practices details on completion of annual returns for the 06/07 period.  2006/2007 summary form (38.5kb xls)

Circular 2007/3(pdf571KB) - issued January 2007. This circular gives Dental Dynamisation Factors for 2006/2007.

Circular 2007/2(pdf86KB) - issued January 2007. This circular gives details of changes to Payroll.

Circular 2007/1(pdf138Kb) - issued January 2007.  This circular gives details of changes to redundancy arrangements.

 

2006 (return to top)

Circular 2006/16 (pdf 54 Kb) - issued November 2006.  This circular provides information on the issue of benefit statements in 2007.

Circular 2006/15 (pdf 243 kb) - issued November 2006. This circular provides information on 1. Standard Life Demutualization 2. AVCs - Equitable Life – Funds W0110 and WP110     3. Bank Nurse contracts 4 . Employers Code of Procedure

Circular2006/14 rev(pdf226kb) - issued October 2006. This circular updates circular 2006/14 revision of Award forms.

Circular2006/14 (pdf 147Kb) - issues October 2006.  This circular gives formal notification of revision to all NHS forms and their availability.

Circular2006/13(pdf78KB) - issued October 2006.  This circular gives details of 24 hour break.

Circular2006/12 (pdf285KB) - issued October 2006.  THis circular gives details of New Flexible Training Arrangements for Doctors in Training

Circular 2006/11(pdf233KB) - issued Septemebr 2006. This circular gives details of the Valuation of the NHS Scheme.

Circular 2006/10 (pdf 96KB) - issued July 2006. This circular informs of the issue of new NHS Scheme Guides.

Circular 2006/9 (pdf 77Kb) - issued July 2006.  This circular gives details on AVC amendments to Regulations - Career Breaks - Earnings Cap 2006/07 - Pensions Increase - Returning to NHS employment in first month after retirement.

Circular 2006/8(pdf(337Kb) - issued June 2006. This circular gives details of the new GMS Contract / Section 17C agreements.

Circular 2006/7 (pdf 125Kb) - issued June 2006. This circular gives Dynamisation Factors for 2003- 2004 Final.

Circular 2006/6 (pdf 53Kb) - issued 4 July 2006.  This circular contains information regarding new Scheme Guides.

Circular 2006/5 (pdf 98kb) - issued 29th September 2006.  This circular contains information regarding changes in the administration of the NHS Superannuation Scheme.

Circular 2006/5 (pdf 68Kb) - issued 9 May 2006.  This circular contains information regarding Standard Life - Proposed Demutualisation.

Circular 2006/4 (pdf 89Kb) - issued April 2006.   This circular contains details of changes in the administration of the NHS Superannuation Scheme.

Circular 2006/3 - Addendum (pdf  46Kb) - issued 12 April 2006.  This circular  contains important amendments to the main circular 2006/3 (above) in respect of return e-mail addresses.

Circular 2006/3 (pdf 140Kb) - issued March 2006.  This circular gives details on Annual Returns for 2005/06.

Circular 2006/2 (pdf 72Kb) - issued March 2006.  This circular gives details on GMP Interim Dynamising Factors for 2005/06.

Circular 2006/1 Annual Returns (pdf 110 Kb) - issued 1st March 2006.  This circular gives details on completion of Annual Returns for 2005/2006 which should be submitted no later than 31 May 2006.  

Circular 2006/1 (pdf 90Kb)  -  issued 1st March 2006.  This circular gives details on Tax Simplification

 

2005 (return to top)

Circular 2005/9 (pdf 89Kb) - issued 14 December 2005.  This circular provides information on changes to the scheme in respect of Civil Partnerships made under SSI2005 No. 544 which came into force on 5 December 2005.

Circular 2005/8 (pdf 95Kb) - issued 5th December 2005.  This circular provides information on changes to the scheme made under SSI2005 No. 512 which came into force on 21 November 2005.

Circular 2005/7 (pdf 71Kb) - issued in November 2005.  This circular provides information on General Medical Practitioner Interim Dynamising Factors for Financial Year 2004-2005.

Circular 2005/6 (pdf 102Kb) - issued in November 2005.  This circular provides information on the New GMS Contract / Pension Provision.

Letter to Employers (pdf 53Kb) - issued October 2005.  Update to employers regarding arrangements for the distribution of the annual Pension Benefit Statements, together with information on Civil Partnerships and Taxation Simplification.    Annex A (pdf 50Kb)

Circular 2005/5 (pdf 64 Kb) - issued    8th September 2005.  This circular provides information on salary sacrifice.

Circular 2005/4 (pdf 58 Kb) - issued 26th August 2005.  Information on Project 2006.

Circular 2005/3 (pdf 115 Kb) - issued 6th April 2005.   This circular provides information to GP Practices and Direction Bodies on the submission of pension annual returns for 2004/2005.   Annex A (Excel 15Kb) provides a summary of Annual Returns sheet for use by Practice Managers,  Annex B (pdf 55Kb) provides information on completion of annual returns and Annex C (pdf 19Kb) provides contact details.

Circular 2005/2 (pdf 103Kb)  - issued 6th April 2005.  The circular provides information to NHS Boards on the submission of pension annual returns for 2004/2005.   Annex A (pdf 42Kb)  provides information on arrears procedure,  Annex B (pdf 55Kb) provides information on completion of annual returns and    Annex C (pdf 19Kb) provides contact details.

Circular 2005/1 (pdf 134Kb ) - issued 16th February 2005.  This circular gives details on General Medical Practitioner Dynamising Factors.

 

2004 (return to top)

Circular 2004/5(pdf 120Kb) - This circular provides information on the pensions aspect of the new GMS contract.

Circular 2004/4(pdf 156Kb) - This circular provides information to NHS Practices on the submission of pension annual returns.

Circular 2004/3(pdf 68Kb) - This circular provides information to NHS Boards on the submission of pension annual returns.

Circular 2004/2(pdf 124Kb) – This circular gives information on the following

Circular 2004/1(pdf 92Kb) - This circular gives details of to changes Equitable Life’s – one of the providers of the additional voluntary contributions scheme - charging structure.

 

2003 (return to top)

Circular 2003/11(pdf 144Kb) - This circular provides information on the Pensions Green Paper - Public Sector Pension Age

Circular 2003/10(pdf 156Kb) - This circular provides information on changes to the Scheme

Circular 2003/9(pdf 128Kb) - This circular provides information on the provision of medical services to SPPA

Circular 2003/8(pdf 44Kb) - This circular provides information on Compensation for Premature Retirement

Circular 2003/7(pdf 172Kb) - This circular provides information on Locum work undertaken GMS/PMS GP's

Circular 2003/6(pdf 44Kb) - This circular provides information on Changes to The Scheme

Circular 2003/5(pdf 64Kb) - This circular provides further information on the 2002-2003 Annual Return

Circular 2003/4(pdf 384Kb) - This circular provides information on the 2002-2003 Annual Return

Circular 2003/3(pdf 40Kb) - This circular provides information on NHS Pension Scheme Membership for GP Locums-

Circular 2003/2(pdf 144Kb) - This circular provides information on Changes to The Scheme

Circular 2003/1(pdf 76Kb) - This circular provides information on Employers' Contribution Rates And The Cost Of Pensions Increases

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Page last Updated: 9th Sept 2008