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NHS Updates

 

Visit the Latest News page for updates on Pensions Reforms and for information on simplifying the taxation of Pensions visit our page on Taxation.

NHS Choice Exercise - 2009 (return to top)

Members of the NHS Scheme will be offered the choice in 2009 to remain in the current arrangements or to transfer to the new scheme.  The new scheme will have a normal pension age of 65 but will have improved benefits.  Further information will be issued later but in the meantime click here to find details of the scheme changes.

NHS Agenda for Change (return to top)

Agenda for Change is a partnership approach to pay and service modernisation in the NHS. It will affect many thousands of staff who are members of the NHS Superannuation Scheme Scotland.

Some current scheme members who are being assimilated into lower pay bands, will have to “mark time” on their salary levels prior to AfC until such time as the revised salary level catches up. Those staff affected in this way and who have at least 2 years qualifying service,  will be entitled to have their pensions protected under Regulation R8, at the pre AfC level of pensionable pay with pensions increase factors (cost of living increases) being added on a yearly basis, thereafter.

On retiral, separate calculations and comparisons will be carried out to ensure that member receives the most beneficial award possible.

Normally, members are required to make individual applications for pay protection directly to the SPPA, who would then contact the employer to verify the circumstances leading to a reduction in pay. However, in this instance, we want to ensure that the process is streamlined as far as practicable and the Agency is currently liaising with employers about how best to manage these changes. A circular will be produced shortly which will be issued to employers and also posted on the website informing all stakeholders about the administrative procedures to ensure protection is arranged.

In addition to those mentioned above, many staff will be assimilated to higher pay bands resulting in payment of arrears spanning the financial years from 2007.

Employers will notify the SPPA of any arrears paid on their annual returns to us. The effect of the payment of these arrears may artificially inflate the salary we hold which will reflect on the calculations shown on the members benefit statement. Members are asked to bear this in mind if the salary figures quoted in their statements the following year looks to have reduced.

 

Change in Standard Hours  (return to top)

Changes to standard full-time hours are to be phased in over a period of time and whole time staff will be required to work 37.5 hours a week. This may affect the pensions of staff whose hours are calculated on a pro rata basis and employers are asked notify these changes to the Agency in the usual way.

General Practices (return to top)

Although implementation is compulsory across the rest of the NHS, AfC is voluntary in General Practice with a few exceptions.

Injury Benefits (return to top)

Due to the assimilation of NHS staff to higher pay bands resulting in payment of arrears spanning the financial years 2004-2006. Employers will need to notify the SPPA of any arrears paid to its employees.

The effect of these payments of arrears may mean any NHS Injury Benefits already paid out to claimants would have to be revised. SPPA are currently still working with the NHS employers on this issue and more guidance will follow in the aforementioned circular.

 

Benefit Statements 2006-2007 (return to top)

Abolition of NHS Trusts (return to top)

Under the NHS Modernisation Bill, NHS Trusts are being abolished, and their functions will be taken over by NHS Boards. We are in the process of drafting amendment regulations to take account of this change, and will be issuing the first draft to NHS staff representatives and NHS employers soon.

Forfeiting a Pension (return to top)

We are planning to introduce changes to the pension scheme whereby a spouse, or their representative, cannot benefit from the death of a member of the scheme, where they have been in some way responsible for that death.

We are currently drafting amendment regulations top this effect and hope to be able to issue these to NHS staff representatives and NHS employers soon.

 

Civil Partnerships  (Reviewed 22/12/2005)  (return to top)

Changes to the main public service schemes in Scotland came into effect on 5th December 2005 to implement the survivor pension provision of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

The overall effect will be that civil partners are treated for the purposes of survivor pensions in the same way as married spouses for service after 6th April 1988.

For information on any deadlines imposed in respect of buy-back arrangements for pre-1988 service, please follow the links below to access the relevant circulars relating to these changes.

Letter to Employers / Annex A – issued October 2005   and  Circular 2005/9 – issued 14 December 2005

Report on Ill health retirement of Teachers and NHS staff in Scotland (Reviewed 28/11/2005)     (return to top)             

 

Changes from 30/06/06 in relation to in house Money Purchase AVCs (return to top)

The NHS (Superannuation Scheme and AVC (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006 No. 307)  introduced two permissive changes allowed under the Finance Act 2004 in relation to the scheme's in house Money Purchase Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) arrangements.  These are to have effect from 30 June 2006 (the date this instrument comes into force) and are as follows:

Please follow link to Circular 9/2006 (pdf  Kb) for further information.