The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7490 p204
23 February 2008

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Think about NHS pensions

NHS staff thinking of retiring in the near future and those who are not married should consider the impact of new NHS pension arrangements on their personal circumstances, NHS Pensions, the body responsible for negotiating the new pensions deal, said this week.

Any employee who retires before 1 April 2008 will not be entitled to several benefits (eg, an increased lump sum) that are being introduced from April. Employees who are not married or not in a civil partnership will be able to nominate a partner with whom they live and are in a financially co-dependent relationship to receive their pension if they die after 31 March.

NHS Pensions also reminded NHS staff that an increased pension contribution will be taken from their pay packets from April 2008. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will see their contribution rise from 6 to 6.5 per cent along with several other changes (Hospital Pharmacist 2007:14:281).

All employees are urged to familiarise themselves with the new NHS pension scheme, and be aware of its impact on their personal circumstances.