Welcome to 2015 Remedy Hub
The purpose of the 2015 Remedy is to put right the age discrimination that took place when public sector pensions were reformed. Eligible members have a choice to make of which benefits they would like to take between the legacy (final salary) scheme and reformed (career average) scheme for the period the discrimination took place. This choice is being offered in a special statement called a Remediable Service Statement (RSS).
Members who have not yet retired – are getting a new look Annual Benefit Statement that will provide an estimate of benefit options each year in readiness for making a choice on retirement. Around 100,000 of these statements have been issued.
Members who are retiring – are being offered a remedy choice. Police and Fire members are already being offered a choice and we are transitioning our services for NHS and Teacher members to offer a choice on retirement.
Retired members – are being offered a remedy choice. Over 11,000 RSS have been issued to retired members. The bulk of the remaining statements are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. Many retired members will already be getting the best value pension. For those who have a choice that results in a higher pension, arrears, including interest, will be paid for by the UK Government.
The SPPA is sending updates to members on a regular basis with progress on delivery.
In your scheme section Remedy Hub you can find out about:
- What is 2015 Remedy
- What happens next
Am I eligible
You will be eligible for the 2015 Remedy if you joined a public service pension scheme on or before 31 March 2012:
- and were still a member of the scheme on or after 1 April 2015, or;
- left the service after 31 March 2012 but returned within 5 years.
You will not be eligible if you:
- joined a public service pension scheme after 31 March 2012.
All eligible scheme members will need to make a decision about their pension benefits.
What happens next?
Members who are retired or retiring are being offered a remedy choice. We will send you a choice letter, known as a Remediable Service Statement (RSS). The purpose of the RSS is to help you decide which benefits you want to take for the remedy period.
Background to the 2015 Remedy
On 1 April 2015 public sector pension schemes were reformed and the Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme was introduced.
Most pension scheme members were moved from their legacy scheme (final salary) to the reformed (CARE) scheme, but some protections were put in place for members who were close to their retirement date. These protections meant that older members stayed in their pre-reform schemes.
The Court of Appeal found that this discriminated against younger scheme members. The government is removing this discrimination for the period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. This is known as the remedy period.
From 1 April 2022 all of our NHS, Teachers, Police and Fire members will become members of the 2015 pension scheme and the pre-reform schemes will be closed to any further pension build-up. Eligible members who choose to retire after 1 April 2022, will be entitled to both legacy and reformed scheme benefits.
Your scheme hub has more information to help you make your choice.