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National Health Service Superannuation Scheme
SPPA administers the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
The NHS Superannuation Scheme was introduced in 1948. It is a statutory – guaranteed by law – Scheme which provide pensions and life assurance for those employed by the NHS in Scotland. It also provides benefits upon a members death for life to either your legal spouse, registered civil partner, qualifying partner or dependant children until the age of 23 (however this can be extended in certain circumstances).
scheme fact
The NHS has separate schemes throughout the UK. England and Wales have a scheme and Northern Ireland also has its own scheme. If you change employer and work in a different Nation, you may wish to transfer your Pension Rights to maintain a continuous pension record.
As the NHS has evolved over the years, so has the NHS Superannuation Scheme and you can find the current rules in the Regulations section of this site. The Policy and Regulation Branch has the responsibility of updating those rules in line with the policies determined by the Scottish Parliament and the UK Government.
There are over 153,000 members currently contributing to the scheme, whilst approx 70,000 pensions are paid on a monthly basis from the Scheme. The SPPA is responsible for all administrative tasks carried out in respect of both current members and NHS pensioners.
This web page is designed to offer you as much information as possible, whether you are a current member, past (deferred) member, a pensioner receiving benefits from the Scheme, or an employer
Changes to the NHS Scheme
Full details of scheme information for members
can be viewed via our helpful guides for both pre For information on the
and post April 2008 members which are available NHS Choice Exercise
on the Forms and Guides page of this website. please click here
Please follow these links to contact a member of
the NHS Policy Branch or NHS Operations team
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If you require an estimate of the benefits you are likely to receive at retirement you may find the ready reckoner available on the Calculators page useful. NB: This can only be used by those who joined the scheme Pre 1 April 2008.
If you have changed bank or moved house please keep us informed by going to the Forms and Guides page and completing the Change of Details form.

