The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is undertaking a consultation on three sets of draft regulations which will give effect to and underpin a new HSC Pension Scheme from 1 April 2015. This follows on from the recent 8 week consultation on proposals for the design of the new scheme. The Departmental Response to the consultation on proposals for the design of the new scheme can be viewed by clicking here.

The Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 provides the wider legal framework for reforms to the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme. The Department has powers under this Act to make regulations to provide for a new HSC Pension Scheme from 1 April 2015.

To give effect and to underpin the proposed new HSC Pension Scheme, the introduction of three statutory rules is required:-

(i). The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 – (“New scheme regulations”)

(ii). The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation, Additional Voluntary Contributions and Injury Benefits), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment)   Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 – (“Consequential regulations”)

(iii). The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 – (“Transitional regulations”)

Consultation on all three draft statutory rules will run from Tuesday 23 December 2014 until the close of business on Friday 30 January 2015. This shortened consultation period reflects both the fact that the Department has already carried out an 8 week consultation on proposals for the new scheme and to ensure the Department has the necessary legislation in place including registering the new scheme with HMT by 1 April 2015.

The draft regulations may be subject to change in the light of comments flowing from the consultation exercise. Regulations to implement all the pension scheme changes are subject to final agreement by Minister and the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The consultation Documentation can be accessed at the following link http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/showconsultations?txtid=75612

 

Consultation on new HSC Pension Scheme from 1 April 2015