New NHS pension scheme

As you may be aware, the Government has announced new pension arrangements, which will be introduced into all public sector pension schemes, including the NHS scheme, from 1^st April. For more information on the new features, please visit the NHS business service authority website. 

You may have received a letter if you have been identified as someone who could benefit from moving your 1995 section benefits to the 2008 section of the current scheme. Whether you want to or not will depend on the age you wish to retire and draw your benefits, and whether you remain in NHS employment until then. 

The new scheme will have a normal pension age (NPA) that is the same as the individual’s state pension age (SPA), so current 1995 section members will have a higher NPA when they automatically join the 2015 NHS pension scheme. 

Due to these changes in NPA it was agreed by the Department of Health and the NHS trade unions that 1995 Section members will receive another opportunity to move their 1995 Section membership into the 2008 Section, called Choice 2. 

NHS pensions will only send a letter to those who are eligible to make a choice. If you do not receive a letter please do not be concerned; there is no further action for you to take. Your employer will have a list of staff who are eligible and they will ensure that the Choice 2 letter reaches you if necessary. 

Further help 

NHS pensions have established a dedicated helpline about Choice 2 to answer any questions you might have, 0300 123 1601. Opening times are 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and calls will be charged at local rates. You can also email your question to nhsbsa.choice2members@nhs.net. 

Your employer and NHS pensions are not authorised to provide financial advice to scheme members; however, we have provided answers to a number of questions and an online calculator to help members make their choice. To use this calculator you will need to have your total reward statement (TRS) or annual benefit statement (ABS) (which you can access via www.totalrewardstatements.nhs.uk) , and/or pay slip to hand as you will need to input information from these documents into the calculator. 

Further information about Choice 2 can be found on the NHS pensions website.

Published 27th November 2014