Business Services Organisation
This Newsletter contains information about:
- Flexible Retirement (Partial Retirement)
- Submission of Pension Applications (AW6)
- Remediable Service Statements for Members
- Pension Estimates
- HSC Pension Service has moved
- Contact Us
This newsletter can also be downloaded in a printable format here.
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Flexible Retirement (Partial Retirement)
As HSC Employers are aware a range of HSC Pension flexibilities including Partial Retirement have now been launched through the new regional Retirement Flexibilities Guidance.
As well as the communications from individual organisations to their staff we have also included details in our Member Newsletter informing staff where they can find more information, application forms etc.
Information Sessions have commenced and the uptake has been huge so far. These will continue into the New Year with assistance from our colleagues in HR.
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Submission of Pension Applications (AW6)
As a result of the McCloud Remedy, HSC Pension Service must add an additional number of steps to the process of calculating and paying HSC Pension Benefits to Scheme members.
In accordance with the remedy, all affected retirees must be furnished with a Remedial Service Statement (RSS) which provides detailed information relating to benefit accrual during the remedy period, i.e. 01/04/2015 to 31/03/2022 or part thereof. This is commonly referred to as their McCloud Choice Statement.
Members have a statutory time limit of 3 months to return their choice on how they wish to claim the said benefits for the remedy period, after which, if no response is received they will be automatically awarded benefits from the legacy scheme for the remedy period.
It is therefore imperative, that as a result of these additional steps and statutory timeframes for members to make their choice, HSC Pension Service must increase the lead in time for the receipt of pension benefit applications to 6 months.
This will allow HSC Pension Service sufficient time to:
- Review the application for completeness
- Calculate pensionable pay figures for all relevant schemes including reformed and legacy
- Calculate up to 4 possible benefit forecasts for members to consider when making their choice
- Issue RSS to members electronic or home address
- Provide members with the statutory 3-month period to make and return their choice
- Monitor, document and record choice statement returns
- Calculate actual benefits based on the choice
- Put benefits into payment in accordance with SLA’s
HSC Pension Service have been informing attendees at Pension Workshops and via the Member Newsletter of this change in procedure.
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Remediable Service Statements for Members
HSC Pension Service have been working through significant complexities to put in place the Public Service Pensions Remedy for all affected members. To date we have made substantial progress towards implementing the remedy so affected members can make their choice with confidence.
Within the coming months, members who apply for retirement will be offered their McCloud choice in the form of a Remediable Service Statement (RSS).
Once HSCPS receive a member’s AW6 form, we will create their unique RSS. The member will have three months from the date of issue of the RSS, to make a decision and return it to RSSRETURN@HSCNI.NET. This choice is final and cannot be reversed or revoked at a later date, so please ensure members are aware of this when discussing the McCloud remedy.
If no decision has been received within 3 months of the date of issue, the member will automatically receive their Legacy option for the remedy period.
*There will be a small number of members with particularly complex pensions who may not receive their choice on retirement. We will contact these members at a later date.
**Please note: It takes HSCPS on average six months to fully process a retirement application, this should be considered and highlighted to members in advance of their proposed retirement date. This can only be started once HSCPS has received all of the member’s information and their RSS choice. Please ensure the AW6 is fully completed (using our online Pension Commu-tation Calculator for members wanting to make a lump sum choice) before submitting, as any missing information will delay their pension.
Further information can be found on our website, as well as supporting videos for; Completing an AW6 Form and Understanding the Remediable Service Statement.
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Pension Estimates
HSC Pension Service will no longer be providing estimates of a member’s HSC Pension benefits. If a member requires an estimate of pensions benefits they should use their Annual Benefit Statement on member self-service portal. This can be used in line with the calculators available on our website to help them determine pension benefits at a retirement date selected by them, at today’s value. The calculators can be found here.
From April 2025 all Active members affected by McCloud will receive a dual statement providing them with detailed figures in relation to the McCloud remedy. For more information on McCloud please visit the McCloud Ruling section within our website.
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HSC Pension Service has moved
HSC Pension Service, having spent the last 30+ years in Waterside House has now moved to new premises in Orchard House in the city centre. As such all correspondence which holds the old address will need to be amended to show the new address below.
HSC Pension Service
Orchard House
40 Foyle Street
L’Derry
BT48 6AT -
Contact Us
By writing to us at:-
HSC Pension Service
Orchard House
40 Foyle Street
Derry/Londonderry
BT48 6ATVia 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 – FridayFind us on X- @hscpensions
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