n e w s l e t t e r Business Services Authority Contents 1. Amendment to NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS) Regulations March 2014

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1 NHS Pensions provided by Business Services Authority March 2014 n e w s l e t t e r Click here to read the NHS Pensions Employers Charter detailing the high level roles and responsibilities of Scheme Employers 1. Amendment to NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS) Regulations Administration and interest charges for NHSPS employers who pay their Scheme contributions late. From 1 April 2014 new Scheme controls will be introduced to protect taxpayers and the Scheme. Administration charges and interest will be introduced for NHSPS employers who pay their Scheme contributions late. Employers will not pay any interest or administration charges if: Scheme contributions are paid by the existing due dates, e.g. the 19th day of the month following deduction, for regular employee and employer contributions. NHS employers have a statutory duty to ensure Scheme contributions reach the NHS Pensions bank account by the 19th of the month following the month in which the earnings were paid to the member. Invoices raised relating to any charges due to the Scheme for premature retirement costs which are currently issued on an individual member basis (e.g. costs for current staff made redundant) are paid no later than 30 days after invoice date or 30 days after the date of pension, whichever is latest. Invoices raised on a quarterly basis (ongoing costs for past employees) are paid no later than 90 days after the period in which the invoice relates to. Contents 1. Amendment to NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS) Regulations Administration and interest charges for NHSPS employers who pay their scheme contributions late. 2. Final Pay Controls and Employer Charge 3. Non receipt of essential member data 4. GP Locums 5. Type 2 Medical Practitioners Self Assessment form 2013/ Disclosure reminder /2015 Tiered Contributions Reminder 8. Independent Providers (IP) 9. Retrospective pay increases 10. Recording the Scheme Contracted Out Number (SCON) on Real Time Information (RTI) submissions 11. Same Sex Marriage 12. Fixed Protection 2014 and Individual Protection NHS Pensions Employer Survey 14. Scheme Guide 15. Ask Us 16. NHS Pensions Choice exercise 17. Atos Healthcare name change 18. New NHS Employers quarterly pensions round up /14: The Earnings Cap and Added Years Gateway No. 18/NHSBSA/03/14 1

2 NHS Pension Scheme: Payment Schedule The preferred method of payment for Scheme contributions is by submission of the RFT1 or GP1 form each month via Pensions Online (POL). This then initiates a Direct Debit payment. The RFT1 or GP1 is only available via POL in e-forms. If you make payment by any other method, you must ensure the payment is received with sufficient time for the funds to clear prior to the 19th of the month. Submissions of online payments prior to 3pm on the final processing date would meet our requirements. Below is a table clearly stating all pertinent dates for the financial year to March Contributions month Payment due by 19th of the following month (Latest Designated Payment Date) Final processing date to ensure your payment reaches us by the 19th. No later than 3pm January February 2014 (Wednesday) 14 February 2014 (Friday) February March 2014 (Wednesday) 14 March 2014 (Friday) March April 2014 (Thursday) 14 April 2014 (Monday) April May 2014 (Monday) 14 May 2014 (Wednesday) May June 2014 (Thursday) 16 June 2014 (Monday) June July 2014 (Friday) 15 July 2014 (Tuesday) July August 2014 (Tuesday) 14 August 2014 (Thursday) August September 2014 (Friday) 16 September 2014 (Tuesday) September October 2014 (Friday) 14 October 2014 (Tuesday) October November 2014 (Wednesday) 14 November 2014 (Friday) November December 2014 (Friday) 16 December 2014 (Tuesday) December January 2015 (Monday) 14 January 2015 (Wednesday) January February 2015 (Thursday) 16 February 2015 (Monday) February March 2015 (Thursday) 16 March 2015 (Monday) March April 2015 (Friday) 14 April 2015 (Tuesday) The preferred method of payment for invoices is by Internal Transfer/BACS to Citibank. Bank details are provided on the invoice. Please quote the invoice number as the payment reference, and send a remittance advice stating the EA Code, Invoice Number and Invoice total to nhsbsa.eafinance@nhs.net or to NHS Pensions, Finance Department Room 62, Hesketh House, Broadway, Fleetwood, Lancs, FY7 8LG. Any arrears of invoices raised by NHS Pensions for premature retirement costs, ongoing cost for past employees and contributions up to February 2014 must be paid by 31 March 2014 to ensure no administration and interest charge is incurred. The first payment of contributions this effects will be March 2014 contributions. Due to the bank holiday weekend, payment must reach NHS Pensions by Thursday 17 April If processing using the RFT1 or GP1 system, you will need to ensure you submit the payment via POL, no later 2

3 than Monday 14 April 2014 at 3pm. If you pay by any other alternative method to the RFT1 or GP1 on POL, you must ensure that you send a remittance advice to NHS Pensions, so that your payment will be correctly allocated to your account. GP Practices, please send your remittance advice to nhsbsa.practicepayments@nhs.net All other employers please send your remittance advice to nhsbsa.eafinance@nhs.net. Standard remittance advice templates are available upon request. Please ensure you correctly enter the contribution period. E.g. March contributions, are payable in April. In the event that you accidentally input and submit April instead of March, you must inform NHS pensions by to nhsbsa.practicepayments@nhs.net and cc nhsbsa.pensionsfinance@nhs.net to advise us of the error, so we can correct it on your behalf. Failure to do so may create an omission of payment for the month required, and will generate an administration charge for non payment of contributions. Upon receipt of the late payment, you will be liable for the administration and interest of late payment of contributions. Most employers pay their Scheme contributions on time but a few are persistently late. The scheme income lost is currently borne by all employers as an upward pressure on contribution rates, and this is unfair. Requests to pay contributions on time do not always work and the Department has concluded, like other pension schemes, that charging a standard rate of interest reflecting the lost income is the best way to encourage prompt payment. The standard rate of interest is a daily rate of CPI +3%, compounded annually, and applies to contributions due but unpaid on and after 1 April The administration charge is not a penalty charge, but reflects the cost to NHS Pensions of recovering late payments, which is currently borne by all employers. The amount of the administration charge for will be 75 for payments made late on and after 1 April There are provisions in the regulations for NHS Pensions to waive an administration charge and/or interest payable where contributions are paid late, in circumstances which the Scheme Administrator considers are exceptional. However, exceptional circumstances will mean exactly that and charges are unlikely to be waived for reasons of staff pressure or short banking or postal delays, where an employer has released payment very close to the final due date. Employers wishing to claim exceptional circumstances for late payment must write to NHS Pensions immediately, at the following address nhsbsa.pensionsfinance@nhs.net, with evidence for and a clear explanation of the late payment. If you require further details, please nhsbsa.pensionsfinance@nhs.net with your name, EA code and phone number and we will contact you to discuss. 2. Final Pay Controls and Employer Charge Final pay control is applicable to all members of the 1995 Section of the NHS Pension Scheme who retire with entitlement to officer benefits. This includes non GP providers and independent healthcare provider employees. If a member receives an increase to pensionable pay that exceeds the allowable amount in any of the three years prior to their last day of service, the employing authority that awarded the excess pay will be liable for a final pay control charge. The allowable amount for a relevant year is determined by increasing the member s pensionable pay 3

4 in the year immediately preceding the relevant year by CPI +4.5%. NHS Pensions will identify each instance of pensionable pay increase in excess of the allowable amount, calculate the employing authority charge and collect payment of that charge. An invoice will be sent to the NHSPS Employer where a charge is applicable after the member s award has been processed. The final pay control only applies to pay rises that are awarded on or after 1 April The date of pay increase is not currently collected or recorded on member records therefore this information will be manually requested from employers if an excess pay increase is suspected. Final pay control will not apply to a death benefit. Final pay control will not be applied to an increase in pensionable pay if that increase occurred before 1 April Where there are two or more employing authorities the charge will be made to the authority that increased the pensionable pay. This is classed as unconnected employments. Where there are two or more pensionable employments with the same EA code and there is no break or a break of less than 365 days between pensionable employments these will be classed as connected employments and the charge will apply to all the pensionable employments. Salary Sacrifice is not excluded from the charges. Pay control examples and charges can be found on the Final Pay Control Factsheet available on our website at: 3. Non receipt of essential member data The January 2014 Technical Newsletter confirmed that NHS Pensions is in the process of conducting a review in regards to non receipt of essential member data, in particular year end updates. NHS Pensions has been working closely with employers during this exercise and following discussions with The National Employers Group, it has been agreed that prior to writing to individual members in regards to non receipt of their year end updates there will be an initial contact with the Finance Director at the organisation. The communication with the Finance Director will confirm the number of members whose records have not been updated and a list of the members effected. It is important to note that throughout the current financial year NHS Pensions has included four separate articles in past Technical Newsletters confirming the legislative requirement for employers to ensure that member records are updated timely and in line with the Scheme Regulations. The October 2013 Newsletter confirmed the following: Failure to provide annual updates for your members means that you are in breach of both NHS Pension Scheme Regulations and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Legislative requirements. 4

5 Once contact has been made with the Finance Director, NHS Pensions will require assurances from the employer confirming timescales for updating all outstanding member records. If assurances are not received then NHS Pensions will commence writing to members informing them of the position in regards to their specific membership. NHS Pensions will also be implementing an escalation process in regards to cases where administrators from the Data Cleanse Department have made more than one request for information in connection with a Data Cleanse enquiry and a response has not been received. This is outlined below: Data Cleanse Request for information First request - to employer requesting specific Data Cleanse information. Second request - Telephone call to employer requesting information. Third request - to finance director confirming previous action taken and no response received. Information requested again. Fourth request - NHS Pensions to write to member and inform them that it is in their own interest to contact the employer. 4. GP Locums With effect from 1 April 2014 GP Locums who do appraisal work for NHS England can pension this appraisal fee via GP Locum Forms A and B. Any appraisal work carried out prior to 1 April 2014 cannot be pensioned. There is also a new GP Locum factsheet that incorporates FAQ s and TN references. This can be found on our website at: Where a freelance GP locum is practising in England and wishes to superannuate their appraisal income they must send their GP locum forms A and B (and all contributions) to the relevant local area team of NHS England/NHS Commissioning Board. Freelance GP locums must not send their forms and contributions to more than one location. The Updated GP Locum forms A and B will be on the website shortly and these will incorporate the Appraisal work and the New Tiered contribution rates. Tiered contributions for GPs (including freelance GP Locums) are based on their total GP (Practitioner) NHS pensionable earnings in the current year. More information can be found on our website at: Forms A and B can be found on our website at: GP locums are not required to complete the GP Provider end of year certificate (or the Salaried GP self assessment form) unless they are also a GP Provider (or a Salaried GP). 5

6 5. Type 2 Medical Practitioners Self Assessment form 2013/2014 NHS Pension Scheme employee tiered contributions for GP members are based on their total GP pensionable pay in the relevant pensions year, not in a previous year. Every type 2 medical Practitioner in England and Wales is required in law to complete a self assessment form on an annual basis and arrange for any arrears of employee contributions to be sent to the relevant NHS Pension Scheme employer. If contributions have been overpaid the type 2 GP must also be pro active in recovering these. The 2013/14 form must be sent to the relevant local area team in England or Local Health Board (LHB) in Wales by no later than 28 February The self assessment form is available on our website at: or by clicking onto Member Forms from the homepage. A type 2 medical Practitioner in 2013/2014 was: A salaried GP formally employed by a GP Practice, APMS Contractor, or a LHB. A long term fee based GP who worked for a GP Practice, APMS Contractor, or a LHB. A GP who solely performed out of hours (OOHs) either on an employed or self employed basis. A GP with special interests (GPwSI) employed or engaged by a LHB. If a type 2 fails to complete the form or pays 2013/2014 employee contributions at the wrong rate they are acting in breach of statutory pensions legislation. This may affect their NHSPS membership. A GP who is formally employed by a CCG is an Officer in NHS pension terms. However a self employed GP working for a CCG who may be put on the payroll to satisfy HMRC s officer holder rule is a Practitioner. There is more detailed guidance on the self assessment form. 6. Disclosure reminder NHS Pensions are receiving a significant number of late transfer applications. Our procedure for dealing with any late transfer-in applications is that they are rejected as being outside the statutory time limits. If the member appeals against this decision then enquiries are made with their employer about the information made available to the member on commencement of employment i.e. the Member Scheme Guide. Employers are reminded that it is imperative for them to provide members with information to prevent issues such as this from occurring. Best practice is listed below: NHS Pension Scheme Joiners Disclosure regulations state basic information about the scheme shall be given to a person within two months of them becoming a member of the Scheme. Best practice is to give a copy of the 6

7 Member Scheme Guide to a new joiner at the earliest opportunity (ideally as part of a starter pack). It is good administrative practice for new joiners to sign for or acknowledge receipt of the Member Scheme Guide (either by or in hard copy format). The Member Scheme Guide can be found on our website at: NHS Pension Scheme Leavers Best practice is to give the member a copy of the Leaving Early and Transferring Out Guide which can be found on our website at: s or hard copy It is acceptable to attach the Member Scheme Guide or the Leaving Early and Transferring out guide to an or for a hard copy to be given to the member. It is not acceptable to only provide a link to these documents within an to the member /2015 Tiered Contributions Reminder In TN 12/2013, 1/2014 and 2/2014 we informed you about the proposed changes to Employee contributions from 1 April 2014 and about the importance of ensuring all employees are made aware of the changes. The Regulations to introduce the new contribution rates have now been laid before Parliament and will become effective from 1st April Below is a reminder about the disclosure requirements: Disclosure - Notifying Members of the New Rates To alert members to the revised contribution rates and to assist employers in communicating this information, NHS Pensions has made the following arrangements: NHS Pensions website - NHS Pensions website has been updated with details of the latest contribution rates and provides specific factsheets for further information. A link to a calculator is also available for members to determine the effect the changes may have on them Payslip Leaflet - Under Disclosure legislation, employers must ensure that all their staff, not just Scheme members, are provided with advance notice of the new rates of contributions. To ensure employers meet their disclosure responsibilities, NHS Pensions has produced a payslip leaflet for employers to distribute with February/March 2014 payslips. Supplies of the leaflet should by now have reached your organisation. For those employers who use the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system, the leaflet for each paid employee will have been automatically placed in an envelope with the employee s payslip. Should you require any additional copies of the payslip leaflet you can obtain these by calling the Stationery Order Line on or you can download a copy from our website at: 7

8 All your NHS employees must receive a copy of this leaflet before 1 April In order to deal effectively with any future disputes or complaints about disclosure, employers are reminded that they should keep records of how such materials are distributed. Poster NHS Pensions has also made available to employers via the NHS Pensions website an A4 poster to alert employees to the forthcoming changes to contribution rates. Employers should download copies and ensure that posters are placed in areas where employees are most likely to notice them. Collection and Payment of Scheme Contributions Please remember employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that the new contribution rates are implemented appropriately and that the correct contributions are deducted and paid to NHS Pensions promptly. Application of Tiered Contribution Rates The rules on how to assess a member s contribution rate have not changed: Employers Contribution Rate The contribution rate paid by employers remains 14%. Officers and Practice staff Scheme members Officer Scheme members are salaried employees of a Trust; Foundation Trust; NHS Commissioning Board; NHS England; Local Health Board (LHB); Direction organisations (including those set up under New Fair Deal), or an Independent Provider with access to the NHS Pension Scheme. Practice Staff Scheme members are salaried employees of a GP Practice, OOHP or APMS Contractor who are not GPs or non-gp Providers (GP Registrars are regarded as Officer Scheme members). The general rule is that the tier for existing Officers and Practice staff Scheme members in 2014/15 is based on their 2013/2014 full year whole time equivalent (WTE) pensionable pay using the table provided in Employer Newsletters 12/2013 and 1/2014, unless the member s circumstances have changed. More detailed information can be found in the factsheets detailed below. If an Officer (or Practice Staff) Scheme member receives a pay award it may not affect their contribution rate however, the contribution rate should be re-assessed and a new rate applied, if appropriate. Where a reassessment results in a different rate of contributions, the new rate should be deducted from the first day of the next pay period immediately following the pay period in which the change is made Further information can be found in the factsheets shown on the NHS Pension Scheme website using the links below. Practitioners and Non-GP Providers Practitioners are GPs of any type (excluding GP Registrars), General Dental Practitioners and 8

9 Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners. Non-GP Providers are single-handers, partners or shareholders (including those on a fixed salary) in a GP Practice (or APMS/sPMS organisation) who are not GPs. The basic rule is that the 2014/2015 tiered rate for Practitioners or non-gp Providers is based on their total 2014/2015 NHS pensionable income as a Practitioner or as a non-gp Provider. More detailed information can be found on our website at: (for members) (for employers) 8. Independent Providers (IP) From 1 April 2014 an Independent Provider (IP) that holds an NHS Standard contract, an APMS contract* or a local authority contract may apply for NHS Pension Scheme Employing Authority (EA) status. Those IP employees that are eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme are all afforded Officer Status. An Independent Provider Pension Guide and an application form are available from our website at: Every IP must also complete a certificate at year end. This will be available on our website soon. IPs are subject to unique rules which are outlined in the guide and the statutory NHS Pension Scheme Regulations. In the event that an IP fails to comply with the statutory NHS Pension Scheme Regulations it may have its EA status terminated. *This does not relate to classic (i.e. GP or healthcare professional led) APMS contractors that have had access to the NHS Pension Scheme since Retrospective pay increases Employers are reminded that if a member has a retrospective increase in pensionable pay, then the increase should be shown in the year the pay was due and should not be recorded in the year the pay was received. This has previously been confirmed in TN8/2012. Example A member is paid 142,000 in 2013/14 which includes 12,000 arrears of retrospective pensionable pay. The employer updated the member s pension record to shows pensionable pay as follows: 2013/14 142, /13 129, /12 128, /11 127,000 However the arrears include 3,000 for the current year giving a pensionable pay figure of 133,000 9

10 and 3,000 for the three previous pension years. The member s pension record should be updated to correctly show pensionable pay as follows: 2013/14 133, /13 132, /12 131, /11 130,000 Please note, the contributions that are collected from the arrears should also be shown in the year that they were due and not the year they were collected. To incorrectly leave the arrears in 2013/14 gives the member: The potential to incur an incorrect greater Annual Allowance charge because the growth in the NHSPS has been overstated. NHS Pensions has already had to recalculate a significant number of cases and provide revised Pension Saving Statements (PSS) where members have identified their pensionable pay was incorrect. The potential to receive an incorrect estimate, transfer value, benefits at retirement or benefits on death. 10. Recording the Scheme Contracted out Number (SCON) on Real Time Information (RTI) submissions The introduction of the new Single-tier state pension planned for 6 April 2016 will end contracted out rebates for employers and employees. Reporting the SCON under RTI for tax years from April 2014 to March 2016 will allow HMRC to automatically close all contracted-out arrangements. HMRC need employers to provide the correct SCON for each employee involved to enable them to write to each individual with details of their occupational pension rights at the point that contracting out ends (April 2016). From 6 April 2014 employers will be legally required to show the SCON, in addition to the Employer s Contracting-out Number (ECON), on their FPS when submitting contracted-out National Insurance Contributions for employees who have been in a contracted-out scheme during the tax year. The SCON for the NHS Pension Scheme is S B. 10

11 11. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 Following the implementation of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 the NHS Pension Scheme is introducing survivor pension cover for the spouses of a same sex couple marriage. These changes became effective from 13 March 2014 when the first marriages were able to take place. As a consequence the NHS Pension Scheme, Additional Voluntary Contributions, Compensation for Premature Retirement and Injury Benefits (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI2014/78) were laid. Background The main provisions of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 become effective in two phases: Phase 1 effective from 13 March 2014 allow same sex couples to marry in a civil ceremony, and allow same sex couples to marry in a religious ceremony where the religious organisation has opted in to conduct such ceremonies. Phase 2 effective late 2014 enable civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage, if they wish, and enable married individuals to change their legal gender without having to end their marriage. Definitions References to marriage will include a marriage between same sex couples. The terms husband and wife will include persons in a same sex couple marriage. The terms widow and widower will include persons in a same sex couple marriage where one of the couple has died. Survivor Pension Cover Survivor pensions for a widow or widower of a same sex couple marriage will aligned with those payable to a widower of an opposite sex couple marriage and civil partners. Survivor pension for the widow or widower of a same sex couple marriage on the death of their spouse who was a member of the 1995 Section will be equal to half of the member s pension for service from 6 April 1988 onwards. Where the member was in the 2008 Section the survivor pension will be equal to 37.5% of the member s pension. These provisions better those of the Equality Act 2010, which are from a later date of 5 December 2005 only. Action for employers To enable NHS Pensions to calculate and pay the correct amount of survivor pension it is important for us to capture the gender of the member s spouse when they transfer out, retire or on death. The AW8 form on the NHS Pensions website should be used to ensure we capture spouse gender as this may affect benefits. 11

12 Where applicable if a male member has ticked that their spouse is male do not process the AW8 form on POL. In this case please send the AW8 direct to NHS Pensions as there is a risk that benefits may be calculated incorrectly. The AW8 POL guide has also been updated to reflect these changes. 12. Fixed Protection 2014 and Individual Protection 2014 In TN02/2014 we reminded you about the changes to the standard Lifetime Allowance from 6 April 2014 provided information about Fixed Protection 2014 and Individual Protection If you have not already done so, please familiarise yourselves with these articles so you can provide NHS Pension Scheme members with the correct information. They included the following headlines: Fixed Protection 2014 Members do not require a valuation of their NHS benefits to apply for this protection and NHS Pensions cannot assist members with their application to HMRC for Fixed protection The last date for HMRC to receive an application for Fixed Protection 2014 is 5 April Individual Protection 2014 Members do require a valuation of their pension benefits from NHS Pensions, calculated as if the member was retiring on 5 April 2014 (on age grounds). The last date for HMRC to receive an application for Fixed Protection 2014 is 5 April NHS Pensions have already started to receive enquiries about the changes and we would like to clarify the procedure we have set in place to deal with valuation requests. Individual Protection 2014 (IP2014) Applications Although IP2014 is operative from 6 April 2014 we understand that the application form APSS240 will not be available on HMRC s website until the middle of August Members have a three year window until 5 April 2017 to make an application to HMRC. Members may need to rely on IP2014 to reduce or eliminate a Lifetime Allowance charge up to the value of their individual protection when they take their retirement benefits, when their dependent receives a lump sum on death or they transfer to an overseas pension scheme. Individual Protection 2014 (IP2014) Valuations In order to deal with IP2014 Valuation requests NHS Pensions will be publishing IP2014 Valuation request forms AW295 (Officer- IP2014) and AW295 (GP- IP2014) on the Lifetime Allowance section of the Tax Information page of the website. These forms and an associated factsheet Individual Protection 2014 Valuations will be available on the website within the next 10 days. Requests for an IP2014 Valuation should preferably be made on one of these forms and members will be directed to complete one if they call us. Any request that does not specify Individual Protection 2014 or the date of 5 April 2014 will be treated as a routine estimate request. If you receive any requests for an IP2014 Valuation you should in the first instance refer members to 12

13 these forms on the website along with the associated factsheet. Employers and members should watch out for more guidance being published on the website about the 6 April 2014 pension tax changes. Type 1 and 2 Medical Practitioner and non-gp Provider members NHS Pensions will normally only provide IP2014 Valuations when final pensionable earnings have been confirmed. This is because the pensionable earnings information up to 5 April 2014 will not be final until at least the end of April However, for those members who intend to retire before May 2016 we will provide a Provisional IP2014 Valuation based on information provided by the member on form AW295 (GP-IP2014). The member must then request a final IP2014 Valuation after May 2016, again using the form AW295 (GP- IP2014). We expect the bulk of these requests will be administered after May Dental Practitioner members - NHS Pensions will normally only provide IP2014 Valuations when final pensionable earnings have been confirmed. This is because the pensionable earnings information up to 5 April 2014 will not be final until at least the end of September However, for those members who intend to retire before October 2015 we will provide a provisional IP2014 Valuation based on information provided by the member on form AW295 (GP-IP2014). The member must then request a final IP2014 Valuation after October 2015, again using the form AW295 (GP-IP2014). We expect the bulk of these requests will be administered after October Hospital, Practice and Approved Employer Staff members - These will be administered throughout the period from 6 April 2014 to 5 April If the member record is updated to year end 31 March 2014 then we will need pay and hours (if part time) for the five day period from 1 April 2014 to 5 April Employers will be required to provide pay and membership details up to 5 April 2014 when requested to do so on forms AW295 (Officer IP2014) or FA11 (IP2014). Without this information NHS Pensions will not be able to calculate an IP2014 Valuation. 13. NHS Pensions Employer Survey In November 2013 NHS Pensions invited you to take part in a survey about your experience of working with us so that we can continue to review and improve the services we provide. Thank you to everyone who responded. We have now received the results and are currently analysing them to identify common themes for areas of improvement and also to look at what we did well so we can continue to meet your requirements. We will share the results and our analysis with you as soon as possible. 13

14 14. Member Scheme Guide A new look Members Scheme Guide for members of the 1995/2008 NHS Pensions Scheme (V12) will be available from mid April. The guide has been reformatted with the new NHS Pensions brand and some updates have been to the content. Please continue to use your current stock until the new Guide is uploaded to our website and stock is issued to our stationery store. The flowchart entitled Which section of the NHS Pension Scheme am I in? on page 5 of the Guide provides basic information for 1995 Section members who return to NHS employment. It does not apply to Optant members, or provide comprehensive guidance to cover every scenario. It should not be used solely to determine eligibility for Scheme membership in re-employment. For more detailed information about joining the Scheme please refer to the section Membership and contributions on page 8 of the Guide. 15. Ask Us The NHSBSA has launched a new enquiry system Ask Us for employers and members. It will enable you to get answers to questions you may have about the Pension Scheme by going to the NHS Pensions website homepage and clicking on the Ask Us button. The new system can be used to get an answer to queries 24 hours a day, seven days a week without the need to call the helpline. Practitioners, their representatives and their Employing Authorities should continue to contact nhsbsa.practitioners@nhs.net with any queries. 16. NHS Pensions Choice 2008 exercise The next selection for Choice 2008 packs has been carried out and the packs will be distributed at the end of March Those who are due to receive a pack(s) should already have been notified to expect them. Please note if your contact details have changed please dccomms@nhs.net to provide us with updated information. This address is slightly different to that notified on the shipment reports. 14

15 17. Atos Healthcare name change The occupational health service line of Atos Healthcare has been rebranded and from 14 February 2014 became known as OH Assist TM. In addition the number for the Glasgow team (our medical services team) has changed from to The new number is charged at local rates so there is no increase in cost for our members and employers and the old number will still function for some time. Further information: It is only the brand name that has changed The medical services team and medical advisers remain the same. The original company registration details are unchanged, i.e. the registered number is England & Wales. Registered Office, 4 Triton Square, Regents Place, London, NW1 3HG. (These details appear as a footer letters sent out by medical services). 18. New NHS Employers quarterly pensions round up NHS Employers have produced their first pensions round up which is a quick reference guide to the main news and topics affecting the NHS Pension scheme in spring Designed for pensions/ payroll managers, this update contains links to additional information on each of the subject areas and is tailored to help you stay up to date with activity relating to the NHS Pension scheme. To download the round up please visit the NHS Employers website, or emma.brown@nhsemployers.org for more information /14: The Earnings Cap and Added Years Scheme membership accruing from 1 April 2008 is no longer subject to the pensionable earning cap. However, those who were subject to the cap in respect of some or all of their membership before that date, who are buying added years or unreduced lump sum under an agreement starting before 1 April 2008, will have the additional contributions only (i.e. AVCs ) assessed by reference to a notional earnings cap. Where it is relevant the notional cap must be applied even when actual NHS income did not exceed the cap before 1 April Members who are affected by the notional cap are in general, those who joined the NHS Pension Scheme for the first time on or after the 1 June 1989, or who joined before then but have had a break in Scheme membership of 12 months or more that ended on or after that date. Agreements (i.e. contracts) that started on or after the 1 April 2008 are not subject to a cap. Contributions in respect of the Additional Pension are not subject to any cap. More information about the earnings cap, including an explanation of the different assessments for officer members and Practitioner / non-gp providers can be found in the earnings cap factsheet from our website at: 15

16 Officer members The notional earnings cap for officer members are: Year 2008/09 117, Year 2009/10 123, Year 2010/11 123, Year 2011/12 129, Year 2012/13 137, Year 2013/14 140, Year 2014/15 145, Practitioners and non-gp providers The notional earnings caps for practitioners and non-gp providers are: Year 2008/09 117, Year 2009/10 123, Year 2010/11 123, Year 2011/12 129, Year 2012/13 137, Year 2013/14 141, Year 2014/15 145, How to contact us: By Telephone: Employer helpline, general enquiries Opening times: 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday Pensions Online, technical enquiries Member helpline Opening times: 8.00am to 6.00pm - Monday to Friday Injury Benefits Helpline Fax: Website addresses: Stationery Order line (Forms and Booklets) By Data queries nhsbsa.datamanagement@nhs.net ESR queries nhsbsa.esrreconciliationteam@nhs.net POL helpdesk nhsbsa.polhd@nhs.net General enquiries - nhsbsa.pensionsemployers@nhs.net 16