The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7338 p225
26 February 2005

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NHS Pension Scheme: publications

Guild opposes pensions plan

Benefits for staff from proposed changes to the NHS pension scheme (PJ, 15 January 2005, p39) are outweighed by the disadvantages, according to the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists.

The guild says that the intended changes — which would require staff to work for longer before retiring and which reduce the pension payable to staff on higher salaries — break the pension promise made by the NHS to its staff.

“It is a breach of faith in the pension promise made to pharmacists who for many years have endured lower salaries in return for greater job security, non-pay benefits and pension provisions,” the guild says. It adds that longer working can be achieved by making the present pension scheme more flexible and by developing policies to support older workers who want to extend their careers.