RepsDirect No 193 - 18 July 2003



From
Head of Health, Gail Cartmail General Secretary, Roger Lyons

1 NHS Pensions

Suggested areas of improvement by Amicus/Joint Unions (omitting objectives in terms of retirement age/early retirement) in anticipation of Modernisation Review 2003………

(A) Dependants pensions

Discrimination issues

  • pensions for unmarried partners
  • pensions for dependant relatives where there is no partner
  • pre-78 service to count for widowers pensions
  • pre-78 service to count where married after leaving employment
  • spouse pension for life - not ceasing on re-marriage/cohabitation

Benefit quality issues

  • Spouses pension based on 1/120 (see accrual proposal below) not 1/160
  • Spouses benefit on death in service based on all prospective service
  • Higher death in service lump sum x4 not x2

(B) Members pensions

  • Change accrual to 1/60 with commutation option
  • Remove service qualifications for ill health pensions
  • More flexible added years contracts
  • Recognise part-time service if continuously employed in the NHS

(C) Career Breaks

  • Unpaid maternity leave pensionable without contribution
  • Subsidised buy-back of pension after childcare/caring career break
  • Pension benefits for approved study absences

(D) Stepping down

  • Pension protection where people step down voluntarily
  • Option to draw pension whilst continuing to work part-time
  • Improved/more flexible definition on final pay

(E) Returning to work after drawing pension

  • Removal of requirement for one month break
  • Removal of all abatement
  • Allow new pension to be accrued


back to top