COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: If, in addition to indemnity for your main employment, you would like cover for delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations please apply for our standalone extension Apply Today

Home  »   Latest News   »   PDA responds to the DHSC consultation on the NHS Pension Scheme

PDA responds to the DHSC consultation on the NHS Pension Scheme

The scheme was launched in October 2021 and proposes to include basing members’ contribution rates on actual annual salaries and reducing the cross-subsidy between higher and lower earners.

Fri 21st January 2022 The PDA

The PDA represents around 7000 pharmacists working in the NHS who are eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme. The PDA has welcomed two out of the three proposals contained in the consultation; specifically that the pension scheme member contribution rate should be based on actual annual rates of pay instead of members’ notional whole-time equivalent pay, and that the thresholds for the member contribution tiers should be increased in line with Agenda for Change pay awards.

The PDA has long supported calls to end the practice of deducting contributions from part-time workers based not on their actual earnings, but on a notional amount that they would earn had they been full-time workers. Looking at the wider pension landscape, particularly dealing with private sector companies, has led the PDA to believe this practice is unfair at best and potentially discriminatory and is not replicated in other schemes the PDA has members in.

The PDA believes that these two proposals will command widespread support among all stakeholders and it is now a matter of urgency that both issues are removed as proposed.

However, the PDA believes that it is disappointing that these important changes are linked to a proposed restructuring of contribution tiers that will see many pay more for their pension benefits. The PDA believes this proposal to be unnecessary, divisive, unpopular, and it will not therefore ensure a consensus among all NHS pension stakeholders.

To read the DHSC consultation proposal, click here.

download the full PDA response here

thumbnail of PDA response_NHS Pension Scheme_proposed changes to member contributions_FINAL (002)

Related links

 

Not yet a PDA member?

If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.

Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.

JOIN THE PDA TODAY

Read about our key member benefits here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

Cookie Use

This website uses cookies to help us provide the best user experience. If you continue browsing you are giving your consent to our use of cookies.

General Guidance Resources Surveys PDA Campaigns Regulations Locums Indemnity Arrangements Pre-Regs & Students FAQs Coronavirus (COVID-19)