Understanding the 2025 NHS Pension Scheme Amendments in Scotland

The NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland is set for a significant update with the introduction of the National Health Service Superannuation and Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025. This legislative change is designed to fine-tune several aspects of the pension scheme, making it more aligned with current pay structures and ensuring clarity across a range of pension-related issues.

Key Changes:

1. Updated Employee Contribution Table: From April 1, 2025, the salary bands used to determine employee contribution percentages will be updated. This aligns the tiers with annual pay increases, ensuring that contributions remain fair and proportional to earnings.

2. Part-Time Staff and Pensionable Hours: The legislation will clarify that additional hours worked by part-time NHS staff will be treated as pensionable, up to the equivalent of a full-time position. This aligns the policy with existing practices.

3. Handling Reduced Pay During Absences: For members who experience reduced pay due to absences, the method for calculating their pension contributions will be clarified, ensuring fairness and consistency.

4. GPs and Non-GP Providers: These professionals will now be able to revise their annual pensionable earnings certificates if they initially used provisional figures, bringing them in line with final tax return figures.

5. Miscellaneous Technical Amendments: The legislation includes various technical updates, addressing issues such as neonatal care leave, parental bereavement leave, and the abolition of the lifetime allowance. These amendments aim to correct inconsistencies and improve the scheme's functionality.

Consultation and Support:

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) conducted a consultation from February to March 2025, gathering feedback from stakeholders, including trade unions and NHS employers. The responses were largely supportive, reflecting a consensus on the need for these changes.

Impact Considerations:

The Scottish Government has assured that these amendments are compatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and have no significant financial impact, negating the need for a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment.

In summary, the 2025 amendments to the NHS Pension Scheme in Scotland are designed to modernize and clarify the existing framework, ensuring it remains fair, transparent, and aligned with current employment practices. For those involved in the NHS, these changes promise a more understandable and equitable approach to pension contributions and benefits.