NHS Pension Choice exercise 

More information about how to achieve age-friendly policies and practices is available from our ageing workforce page.

Operational responsibilities

NHS Pensions is responsible for administering the NHS Pension Choice exercise but employers are responsible for disclosure:

• to minimise the risk of legal challenge and to avoid claims of pensions mis-selling, employers are strongly advised to ensure that disclosure responsibilities are met. This involves maintaining accurate records and distributing choice packs and comparative benefit statements to pension scheme members.
• employers will also want to ensure that scheme member records are as accurate as possible in advance of the Choice exercise. This includes making the appropriate links with the Electronic Staff Record. The better the quality of NHS Pension Scheme members’ pension data the easier it will be for employers to manage their responsibilities, and to meet priorities set out in the operating framework. 

Further information & advice

Employers should refer to the NHS Pensions website for guidance on the operational requirements of the NHS Pension Choice exercise, including copies of the employer Choice newsletter. Particular attention should be given to issue 4, which outlines arrangements for dealing with members who meet the criteria for opting-in to Choice early.  

The NHS Pensions Choice Team is also hosting a number of NHS Pension Choice roadshows for employers and trade union officials between November 2009 and August 2010. The events will be held in each strategic health authority region in England and in trusts and local health boards in Wales. Full details can be found on the NHS Pensions roadshow web page.

Workforce advisors

NHS Employers workforce advisors, Peter Smith and Graham Jagger, are available to provide expert advice and guidance to support NHS organisations with the strategic elements of the Choice exercise. To get in touch please email nhspensions@nhsemployers.org.