Business Services Organisation
This newsletter is for all general practitioners (GPs) who are members of the HSC Pension Scheme. This communication will include all relevant updates and procedures regarding the administration of principal, salaried and locum GPs. Please read carefully and retain for future reference.
Principal and salaried GP’s should use gpcertificates@hscni.net mail box.
Locum GPs should use GPLocums@hscni.net mail box.
This newsletter contains information about:
- Annual Certificate of Pensionable Profit 2022/23
- Email Queries
- Workshops
- Member Self-Service (MSS) Registration
- HSC Pension Service Regulations Consultation
- Contact Us
The newsletter is also available in a printable/downloadable format here.
-
Annual Certificate of Pensionable Profit 2022/23
The Annual Certificate of Pensionable Profit 2022/23 was forwarded to all registered accountants on 13/11/2023.
The Annual Certificate is due to be returned to HSC Pension Service in Excel format by 28/02/2024. All returns should be sent to gpcertificates@hscni.net.
Only Annual Certificates that are received by the due date 28/02/2024, will be included to calculate the Northern Ireland Average for Seniority purposes.
Once housekeeping and reconciliations of the Annual Certificates have been completed by the team we will then start processing 2023 Annual Benefit Statements in date received order.
The Annual Certificate of Pensionable Profit 2022/23 along with guidance notes can be accessed here: Scheme Forms.
-
Email Queries
The GP Certificates Inbox (gpcertificates@hscni.net) receives a high volume of emails on a daily basis.
When contacting the practitioner section via email can you please include as much information as possible in your query so we can answer your query quickly and efficiently.
Please include part of your National Insurance number and date of birth so we can access your Pension Record and provide you with the required information. Failure to provide this information will result in HSC Pension Service contacting you for this information which will delay how quickly and effectively we can respond to your query.
-
Workshops
HSC Pension Service practitioner team has re-commenced attending in-person practice managers workshops and have recently attended the eastern group practices workshop for practice managers. We hope all who attended found this workshop helpful and useful to assist them in their practice manager pension duties.
Our specialist team can deliver tailored workshop solutions to meet your specific practice needs. Please email gpcertificates@hscni.net for more information and to check for availability.
-
Registering for Member Self-Service (MSS)
Annual Allowance and Annual Benefit Statements are published on Member Self-Service so it is important that all GPs should now have registered for the Member Self-Service facility. If you have not registered please visit our website at https://mypension.hscni.net.
For assistance in registering for Member Self-Service please see HSC Member Self Service.
The information provided to you on Member Self-Service is made available so that you may share it with any third party such as your accountant or financial advisor.
Please note that all requests from financial advisors regarding your benefits are now chargeable. Our schedule or charges is available here.
-
HSC Pension Service Regulations Consultation
The Department of Health is consulting on amendments to the regulations that govern the HSC Pension Scheme.
The consultation will run from the 14th November 2023 until 5pm on the 22nd January 2024.
In summary, the proposals to amend the HSC Pension Scheme Regulations are 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 below document. Details of how to respond can also be found here.
-
HSC Pension Service Christmas Arrangements
HSC Pension Service will be closed on 25th and 26th December 2023 and on 1st January 2024.
As we near the end of 2023, in what has been a challenging year for all of us, the practitioner team would like to take this opportunity to convey our appreciation for your ongoing support and co-operation. We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas period and we look forward to working with you again in 2024.
-
Contact Us
By Post: GP Payment Section Via e-mail: GPCertificates@hscni.net
HSC Pension Service GPlocums@hscni.net
Waterside House
75 Duke Street
Londonderry
BT47 6FP
Please do not send any returns to individual team members email accounts.
By Telephone: 028 7131 9111 option 3.
10.00 am to 12.00pm / 2.00 pm to 4.00pm – Monday to Thursday
10.00 am to 12.00pm – Friday
Find us on Twitter – @hscpensions
Find us on Facebook – HSC Pension ServiceEmployer Technical Updates are available at: Employer Technical Updates
All Newsletters produced this quarter are available at: GP NewslettersIf 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