We've started sending RSS (choice letters) to NHS Pension Scheme members who have claimed benefits from any part of the Scheme and are affected by the public service pensions remedy (McCloud).
These letters explain that members have a choice of 1995/2008 Scheme (whichever Scheme they were in before moving to the 2015 Scheme), or 2015 Scheme pension benefits for membership between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 (the remedy period).
They also include a personalised decision guide with 2 tables, showing the same choice in different amounts of detail, with personalised figures to help members compare options and decide which pension benefits are best for them.
The decision guide includes all the information members need but additional support, including videos, are available on our website to help them understand their options: Understanding your choice after retirement | NHSBSA
Members have 12 months from the date of their letter to tell us their decision. If we don’t hear from them, we’ll revise their benefits permanently to pay them 1995/2008 Scheme benefits for the remedy period.
We're writing to retired members in the following order, prioritising those members who are most at risk of financial detriment.
|
Type of member |
Date by which they should receive their letter |
|
Retired by 1 October 2023 – formerly unprotected and only 1995/2008 Scheme benefits in payment |
1 July 2025 |
|
Retired by 1 October 2023 – formerly taper protected and only 1995/2008 Scheme benefits in payment |
1 July 2025 |
|
Retired by 1 October 2023 – formerly unprotected and both 1995/2008 Scheme and 2015 Scheme benefits in payment |
1 October 2025 |
|
Retired by 1 October 2023 – formerly taper protected and both 1995/2008 Scheme and 2015 Scheme benefits in payment |
1 October 2025 |
|
Retired by 1 October 2023 – formerly protected and benefits in payment for remedy period |
1 December 2026 |
|
Retired between 1 October 2023 and 1 July 2025 |
1 December 2026 |
Most members will find the choice straightforward. If a member has more complex circumstances and needs support to decide which option is right for them, they may want to speak to an Independent Financial Advisor (IFA).
Members who do need to speak to an IFA can apply to recover costs using the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme.
Further information about the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme, including details of the types of costs that can and cannot be claimed back, are available on The NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme webpage.