2015 Scheme 

On 1 April 2015 a new NHS Pension Scheme was introduced which covers all transitioning and new NHS employees. Some members are entitled to remain in the 1995 or 2008 Sections until retirement through the Scheme’s Protection arrangements.  The content of this website is being updated in stages to reflect these changes.  More information about the 2015 Scheme arrangements can be found here.

Joining the Scheme

To be eligible to join the HSC Pension Scheme (either the 1995 Section, 2008 Section or 2015 Scheme) you need to be between the ages of 16 and 75 and you must be directly employed by the Health Service.  If you are a GP, General Dental Practitioner or Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner and work under a contract for services, you are eligible to join the Scheme.

Upon joining the HSC Pension Scheme you should be issued with a Scheme Guide by your employer.  Pension contributions will automatically be deducted from your salary (or income) and these will be shown on your payslip.

The Scheme Benefits

Benefits are dependent on the section of the scheme you are a member of.

Benefits for 1995 section members

    • A retirement pension based on 1/80th of final years pension pay per year of service.
    • A retirement lump sum of three times your pension with the option to exchange part of the pension for more cash.
    • Life insurance of two years pay while you are working.
    • Pension and allowances for either your legal spouse, registered civil partner, or qualifying partner from the date of your death. Dependant children’s pensions are payable until age 23 or longer depending on certain circumstances.
    • Benefits if you have to retire because of permanent ill health.
    • Preserved benefits if you leave pensionable employment before age 60 without being entitled to an immediate pension and you have at least two years qualifying service.
    • Benefits are guaranteed and are based on your pay and service in the scheme.
    • Pensions and allowances are index linked.
    • Pension benefits can be transferred into and out of the scheme, but if you move to another job in the Health Service your membership will continue. You may be able to increase your contributions to increase your benefits.

Benefits for 2008 section members

    • A retirement pension based on 1/60th of reckonable pay per year of service.
    • Option to exchange part of your pension benefits for cash lump sum at retirement, up to 25% of overall pension value.
    • Life insurance of two years pay while you are working.
    • Pensions and allowances for either your legal spouse, registered civil partner, or qualifying partner from the date of your death. Dependants pensions are payable until age 23 or longer depending on certain circumstances
    • Benefits if you have to retire because of permanent ill health.
    • Preserved benefits if you leave pensionable employment before age 65 without being entitled to an immediate pension and you have at least two years qualifying service.
    • Benefits are guaranteed and are based on your pay and service in the scheme.
    • Pensions and allowances are index linked.
    • Pension benefits can be transferred into and out of the scheme, but if you move to another job in the Health Service your membership will continue. You may be able to increase your contributions to increase your benefits.

For more information about the HSC Pension Scheme and its benefits, please refer to the Scheme Guides