Certain members who join the 2015 Scheme could qualify for scheme protection which enables them to become a member of the 1995/2008 Scheme.
To qualify for scheme protection in the 2008 Section, members must:
- join the NHS Pension Scheme not more than five years after leaving another public service pension scheme, and
- satisfy HM Treasury’s ‘two scheme test’.
Two scheme test:
Scheme 1 - member qualified for full (or tapered) protection in their previous public service pension scheme, and
Scheme 2 – member would have qualified for scheme protection had their previous scheme membership been pensionable employment in the 2008 Section.
To qualify for scheme protection in the 1995 Section, members must:
- join the NHS Pension Scheme less than five years after leaving a corresponding 1995 Section of the NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland or Northern Ireland, and
- qualify for protection in that corresponding 1995 Section.
Employers should make members aware of the scheme protection arrangements which are explained in more detail on the ‘Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme’ page of our website.
Any member who thinks they may qualify for scheme protection should read the FAQs and complete the previous public service membership application form (PPSM1).