Your 2022 Annual Benefit Statement is now available
31 August 2022
Your Annual Benefit Statement (ABS) estimates your pension benefits accrued up to the end of the most recent financial year (NHS GP Medical Practitioners will have an ABS up to 31 March 2021). The Scottish Public Pensions Agency have issued Annual Benefit Statements for all active members of the Scottish: NHS, Teacher, Police and Firefighter Schemes from 31 August 2022.
NHS Scotland Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme
20 June 2022
Scottish Ministers established a special temporary scheme that provided death in service benefits for relevant persons working for, or providing services on behalf of, an NHS Scotland Health Board, Special Health Board, NHS National Services Scotland (Common Services Agency) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, called the NHS Scotland and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020.
Changes to Commutation provision in the Police Pension Scheme 1987
09 March 2022
From 1 April 2022, we are changing how retirement lump sums are calculated for 1987 Scheme members who are aged 50 or over and have between 25 and 30 years’ service. Currently, these members can commute up to 2.25 times their annual pension. This is being changed so they can commute up to 25% of their annual pension instead. This change will not apply retrospectively to retirements pre 1 April 2022.
Cyber Security Resilience
28 February 2022
In line with guidance being provided to other UK governmental agencies and departments, the SPPA is highlighting a need to increase cyber security resilience in response to potential malicious incidents related to tensions in Ukraine. We are reaching out to our suppliers and raising awareness on our external channels using the following message:
2015 Remedy – recent changes to our website
10 February 2022
We have recently made changes to the 2015 remedy area of our website. These changes were made thanks to the great feedback provided by you, our members. Some of the recent changes include:
2015 Remedy - Debunking some well-known myths
01 December 2021
The 2015 Remedy is a complex and significant change to those who are affected and we are aware of a number of myths currently circulating that are understandably making you nervous. These myths may also have you thinking about what you should do before the final salary schemes are closed to future pension build-up on 1 April 2022. To ensure that you have all the facts we have busted some of the myths that we've heard from both our members and their employers. Click on the appropriate dropdown box for your scheme to find out more:
Guaranteed Minimum Pension
18 November 2021
We have been working with Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to make sure that pension information we hold for members of our schemes matches their records. This work has identified that some pension payments from the SPPA have been incorrect. This relates to a part of the pension called Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) and how the cost of living increases, known as index linking, have been applied to it.
MyPension Online - Multi-Factor Authentication
28 October 2021
We are introducing Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) to the MyPension website on 3 November 2021. What is Multi-factor Authentication? MFA improves on traditional security methods by adding an extra step when logging in to an online account. Logging in with MFA involves:
Goodwin Ruling - Survivor benefits update
26 October 2021
The Goodwin case identified that male survivors of opposite-sex marriages and civil partnerships are treated less favourably than survivors in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. We are working on a method of calculating family benefits service to address this sexual orientation discrimination. Scheme rules will be changed to ensure that:
Cost Control Mechanism and Discount Rate Methodology Consultations Launched
15 July 2021
Cost Control Mechanism and Discount Rate Methodology Consultations Launched HM Treasury published two public consultations on 24 June 2021, seeking views on proposals to make changes to the cost control mechanism in public service pension schemes, and secondly on the appropriate methodology for setting the discount rate used in scheme valuations. The consultations will run for eight weeks and are available to view at the links below: Cost control mechanism