MedEconomics: NHS pension changes and seniority pay.

NHS Pension Changes

I shall be 60 in December 2007 when I hope to draw my NHS pension and return to work full-time. However I am uncertain whether to do this on my birthday or to wait until April 2008 to gain the full pension benefits from the new GP contract. Which would be most advantageous?

As a result of the recently announced changes to the NHS scheme from 1 April 2008 onwards, depending on your personal circumstances it may be prudent to wait until 1 April or later before taking your pension benefits.

A number of enhancements will be made to the scheme for existing members including removal of the current rule that spouses'/civil partners' pensions must cease on remarriage or entering into a new civil partnership.

There is also change from 1 April for scheme members who are not married or in civil partnerships but are in a financially dependent/interdependent relationship. They will be able to nominate an individual with whom they have had an exclusive and long-term committed relationship of at least two years to receive the same survivor …