Business Services Organisation
This Newsletter contains information about:
- Department of Health Consultation
- McCloud
- Consideration for Ill Health Retirement Applications – update
- Contact Us
This information is also available in a downloadable/printable format here.
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Department of Health Consultation
The Department of Health is consulting on amendments to the Regulations that provide the rules for the HSC Pension Schemes. The Consultation will run from 14th November 2023 until 5pm on 22nd January 2024.
In summary, the proposals amend the HSC Pension Scheme Regulations as follows:
- Changes to the member contribution structure from 1 April 2024
- Changes to the employer contribution rate from 1 April 2024
- Changes to abatement provisions for special class status (SCS) members
- Changes to scheme access policy
The Department would welcome views on the proposals set out in the document. Details of how to respond can be found in the Consultation document linked below.
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McCloud
Following legislation coming into effect on 1st October 2023, HSC Pension Service, are working with our Software providers to ensure that we get our systems fully functional to implement the McCloud Legislation and regulations.
We are working hard to ensure all the data, processes and systems are in place to allow us to provide you with information as soon as reasonably possible. This includes updating our systems so we can include options for the Remedy period as part of our standard Annual Benefit Statements and provide details of your available options i.e. benefits for the remedy period paid from either their legacy scheme or CARE scheme as part of the normal retirement process.
Members who have retired or are due to retire will be offered a retrospective choice, along with personalised information to help them make their choice. If a member chooses to keep their existing benefits, no changes will be needed. If a member chooses to receive different pension benefits for the remedy period, adjustments will be made to their pension payments accordingly. Any changes will be backdated to the date of retirement.
For now, there is nothing you need to do. We’ll contact all affected members, whether active or retired directly, in phases, when action needs to be taken. More information will be available on our website over the coming weeks.
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Consideration for Ill Health Retirement Applications - update
HSC Pension Service continue to send Applications for consideration for Ill Health Retirement to the alternative provider BHSF. The NICS OHS are still not in a position to offer us an adequate service due to staffing levels.
BHSF are currently working on applications received in July 2023. Whilst this is still a longer wait than normal it has been considerably reduced. We hope that by the end of March 2024, that we should be in a position to assess most ill health cases within 6 weeks of receipt. Serious ill health cases continue to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
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Contact Us
By writing to us at:-
HSC Pension Service
Waterside House
75 Duke Street
Londonderry
BT47 6FP
Via e- mail at:- hscpensions@hscni.net
By Telephone: 028 7131 9111
10.00 am to 12.00pm / 2.00 pm to 4.00pm – Monday to Thursday
10.00 am to 12.00pm – FridayPlease note there will be no telephone service from Mon 25th Dec until Wed
27th Dec 2023 or Mon 1st Jan 2024Find us on X- @hscpensions
Find us on Facebook – HSC Pension Service
If you have any suggestions for the newsletter or would like a particular topic covered in future publications please do not hesitate in contacting us by emailing: hscpensions@hscni.net