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Reform of the NHS Pension
Scheme
 The NHS
Scheme covers all staff employed by the NHS. It is an unfunded scheme, which
means that the Government receives all employee contributions and pays out all
NHS pensions.
The current normal retirement age in the
NHS Scheme
is 60, with lower retirement ages applying to certain categories of staff who
joined the scheme before 1995, such as Mental Health Officers. The Government
has said that it intends to increase the normal pension age to 65 for future
scheme service and to raise the minimum age for drawing a pension to 55,
although it is envisaged that certain transitional provisions will apply.
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The NHS trade
unions and employers are currently conducting a joint review of the NHS Pension
Scheme. The review will result in a consultation document regarding the reform
of the NHS, which is expected to be published in December 2004. The main ideas
likely to be included in the consultation document are:
* A move from the current structure of 1/80th
accrual plus a lump sum of three times pension, to an accrual rate of 1/60th
without a separate lump sum
* Partner’s pensions for all unmarried partners
* The possibility of a move towards a career
average scheme structure
UNISON will be responding fully to the consultation in due course and in the
meantime is continuing to lobby the Government against the proposal to increase
the retirement age to 65.
REPORT OF ACTIVITY WITH PICTURES ON THE TUC DAY OF ACTION FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY
2005 - from UNISON Eastern
http://www.unison.org.uk/pensions/index.asp
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