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NHS Reforms | Previous Consultations and Surveys
Consultation on regulations introducing changes to the NHS AVC and Injury Benefits Regulations as a consequence of the pension reform changes. (Consultation period 22 February 2008 to 14 March 2008)
Draft regulations amending the above regulations have been prepared to reflect the introduction of the changes to the NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland resulting from the agreement on pension reforms. Given that the changes are primarily consequential and to ensure that the regulations are finalised along side those covering the pension reform a short consultation period of 3 weeks is being provided. All comments should be addressed to Mrs S Liptrott, Policy Branch, Scottish Public Pensions Agency, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels TD1 3TE or by e-mail to James.Preston@Scotland.gsi.gov.uk by 14th March 2008.
Please use following links to access the relevant documents
Consultation Cover Letter (PDF48Kb)
Draft NHS Additional Voluntary Contributions and Injury Benefit Regulations 2008 (PDF 92Kb)
Explanation of 2008 Scottish Consequential Amending Regulations (PDF 52KB)
Further Information
Further information can be obtained by clicking on the following links:
Letter from co-chairs of SPensiR to Cabinet Secretaries (pdf 45Kb)
SPensiR Agreement to NHS Pension Changes (pdf 106Kb)
Q&A (pdf 59Kb) - Revised 25th October 2007
PowerPoint presentation (ppt 132Kb) - Revised 25th October 2007
The member contribution rates are changing
Contribution rates for both schemes from 1 April 2008 are set out in the table below:
Annual Pensionable Pay (Full time equivalent) |
Current Contribution |
New Contribution |
Up to £19,682
|
5% (manuals) or 6% |
5% |
£19,683 -£65,002 (Linked to AfC pay point 17) |
5% (manuals) or 6% |
6.5% |
£65,003- £102,499 (Linked to AfC pay point 49) |
6% |
7.5% |
£102,500 plus
|
6% |
8.5% |
Changes to the NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland
Following the recent review Scottish Cabinet Ministers announced on 18 October 2007 changes to the current NHS Pension Scheme and the introduction of a New NHS Pension Scheme from 1 April 2008. Click on this link to view a copy of the press release.
Pension Reforms to NHS Superannuation Scheme (consultation period 28 January 2008 to 10 March 2008. (return to top)
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. The consultation will run from 28 January until 10 March 2008. All comments should be addressed to Mrs S Liptrott, Policy Branch, Scottish Public Pensions agency, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels TD1 3TE or by e-mail to Sharon.liptrott@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Please use the following links to access the relevant documents
Consultation Cover Letter (PDF 84Kb)
Draft 2008 regulations (for new entrants from 1 April 2008) (PDF 1.13Mb)
Annex A to 2008 regulations (explanation of amending regulations) (PDF 75Kb)
Annex B to 2008 regulations (list of definitions) (PDF 43Kb)
Draft 1995 amendment regulations (PDF 300Kb)
Annex A to 1995 amendment regulations (explanation of amending regulations) (PDF 193Kb)
Ill Health Review Consultation on Proposals - Agreed in Partnership (From 24th October to 14th December 2007)
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 obtained by clicking on the links below:
Cover letter from SPensiR (PDF 63Kb)
Main consultation document (PDF 446Kb)
Response form in Word (MS Word 43Kb)
Moving to the Future - Consultation Documents and Summary Report
- Summary Report (Pdf 37Kb)
- “NHS pension scheme 2006 consultation” [pdf 181 Kb] (Moving to the Future –Joint Proposals from NHS Employers and the NHS Trade Unions)
- Staff Booklet [51Kb]
Lifestyle and Retirement Survey Report 2004
Previous Pension Reform Documents
- The results of the recent NHS Lifestyle and Retirement Survey(pdf 756Kb)
- The Simplification of Pensions Taxation Proposals(pdf 424Kb)
- The Main Consultation Document 2005 (pdf 700Kb)
- The summary of the Main Consultation 2005 Document(pdf 224Kb)
- Report on the 2005 Consultation (pdf Kb)
CONSULTATION - "Working together for a 21st century Pension Scheme"
Thank you to all those who responded to this consultation, a factual analysis of the responses has now been completed and may be accessed following the link above.
As you will be aware the consultation document included a number of possible options for a new scheme for new members from 2006 and transitional issues for current members. The options were in line with the UK Government proposals at that time, to reform public service pension arrangements from 2006 for new staff and with transitional arrangements for existing staff, however there was no agreement between employers and trade unions on the need for changes or acceptance of the evidence presented to justify the raising of the normal pension age to 65.
During the period of the consultation the UK Government announced that it would hold further negotiations with the trade unions and following the meeting of the UK Public Services Forum to discuss pensions on 18 October, a framework of principles was published, to be used (once ratified by the individual unions) in taking forward scheme-specific discussions for each of the NHS, Teachers’ and Civil Service pension schemes.
In light of the announcement which came part way through the consultation, some trade unions and some employer groups opted not to respond to the consultation and therefore SPensiR acknowledge that this report will not fully reflect all members’ opinions. We did however receive over 1,269 individual responses to the consultation as well as 29 group responses which will form a useful starting point for SPensiR once discussions resume.
Michael Fuller Derek Lindsay
Joint Chair (staff side) Joint Chair (employers)
CONSULTATIONS
Public Consultation - options for the future of the NHS scheme in Scotland. (Consultation Period 24 January to 25 April 2005)
The review has reached the stage where a number of options for the future of the NHS scheme in Scotland have been identified and SPensiR would like to hear the views of NHS staff and the wider public on those options. To achieve this, SPensiR launched a public consultation on 24th January 2005.
There are two consultation documents which you can access.
1. Main consultation document(pdf 700Kb) - this contains the options identified by the review for the future of the NHS scheme, and the technical detail behind those options.
2. Summary of the main consultation(pdf 224Kb) - this also contains the options identified by the review, but without the technical detail. You may find it beneficial to access this document before the main consultation document.
When does the consultation end?
The consultation ended on 25 April 2005. The responses are being analysed and a report will be available on this website in due course.