08.11.17
Consultation opens on NHS pension changes
The Department of Health announced today that it is consulting on proposals to change NHS pension scheme regulations.
Plans would involve the removal of a nomination form for unmarried or cohabiting partners to claim survivor pensions.
In addition, there are changes aimed at ensuring access to the pension scheme for staff delivering services under new integrated care models. The hope is that this will make the scheme more accessible overall.
There are also some smaller technical alterations to improve the operation of scheme regulations. These mostly involve legal and typographical changes.
The DH previously opened consultation on a levy which would see employers give contributions to the administrative cost of pension schemes.
Despite complaints this levy was approved and became law in April this year. The government argued that because administration of the scheme is a frontline operational activity for the benefit of NHS employers and staff, the cost of the scheme should also be left to the NHS.
New alterations to pensions look to mostly be positive for employees, with the majority of the changes fixing previous errors or streamlining what was a slow and difficult system.
Anyone who wishes to be involved in the consultation can do so here.