Public-sector pensions: GAD confirms policy on 2015 NHS pension scheme broad comparability

The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has confirmed that it will now accept applications for broad comparability assessments against the new NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS), which will come into effect on 1 April 2015. This follows the National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/94) and the National Health Service Pension Scheme (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/95) being laid before Parliament on 12 February 2015. Together these form part of the legislation introducing the new NHSPS. For more information see Legal update, Public-sector pensions: NHS pension scheme regulations laid before Parliament.

Certificates for transfers of staff that have not yet taken place but for which contractual terms have been agreed will also need to reflect the new NHSPS regulations. In addition, existing broad comparability certificates issued by GAD against the current NHSPS are no longer valid for transfers of employment involving the NHSPS which took place on or after 12 February 2015. However, GAD has confirmed that it will consider requests for back-dated passport certificates in cases where these replace one that is no longer valid.

GAD is currently accepting applications for broad comparability assessments that take the 2015 reforms into account, but will not be able to issue certificates until its systems have been updated.

Source: GAD: Broad comparability against the National Health Service Pension Scheme (England & Wales), 23 February 2015.