04 August 2006
NHS staff from senior consultants to hospital porters will soon be asked for their views on new pension proposals.
Following three years of negotiations, NHS Employers and healthcare unions have agreed on changes to the existing pension scheme and a new scheme for new entrants to the health service. A three-month consultation period will run from September to November before final proposals are submitted to ministers at the end of the year.
The majority of existing NHS workers keep their final salary scheme and pension age of 60, with a new option of taking a larger lump sum in return for giving up some of the pension. Survivor pensions will also be extended to long-term partners as well as widows, widowers and civil partners.
The new scheme raises the pension age to 65 and preserves the final salary scheme. There is also greater flexibility so an individual can take all or part of the pension while continuing to work. Both existing and new GPs will keep to their career average scheme.
Unveiling the proposals, David Jordison, chair of the NHS Employers pensions negotiating team, said the changes had been founded on shared ideals. 'The object was to produce a pension scheme that staff valued and felt valued by. It is a pension scheme that compares well with most pension schemes in the country and we're proud of that,' he said.
'I think staff will react maturely and with intelligence to this. I think it is a scheme that will last. It should be affordable to this government and future governments. Staff will support this scheme for years to come.'
Eddie Saville of the Society for Chiropodists and Podiatrists and staff side chair said the unions' key objectives had been achieved through good negotiations and partnership working. 'We welcome these proposals and are sure our members will welcome them too,' he said.
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