The 2008 section is open to new entrants joining the NHS on or after 1 April 2008. It is a final salary scheme with a normal pension age of 65 and increased flexibility in the run-up to retirement. Members of the 1995 section will be given a one-off opportunity to transfer to the 2008 section. This is being referred to as the ‘NHS Pension Choice exercise’.
The Choice exercise has important strategic and operational implications for NHS organisations. This page outlines the key considerations for employers in this area and provides a link to our background information page.
Strategic implications
Effectively managed, the Choice exercise will help NHS organisations to respond to changing workforce demographics and to address skills shortages as higher proportions of experienced staff approach retirement age. During the Choice exercise employers will need to:
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:
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. 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.
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