Important update on your Pension: Brexit
17 December 2020
On 1 January 2021 the United Kingdom will leave the European Union (EU). We would like to reassure our members who currently reside in the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland that we will continue to pay your pensions after the transition period ends even in the event of a no deal Brexit. You can read more here. What this means for you
Important update on your Pension: The McCloud/Sargeant judgement and the 2015 Remedy
11 December 2020
What is it? The McCloud/Sargeant judgements refer to the 2018 Court of Appeal ruling that found part of the protections included in the CARE reforms unlawfully discriminated against younger members of the Judicial and Firefighters’ pension schemes, as only older scheme members were allowed to remain in the final salary schemes.
Penelope Cooper
12 November 2020
Our current Chief Executive, Penelope Cooper, will start her six-month secondment as Director of Outbreak Management within the core Scottish Government on Tuesday 17 November. Our current Head of Business Management, Matt Valente, will take over as Interim Chief Executive of the SPPA on the same day. This will not result in any immediate changes to our priorities, structure or ways of working. With Matt having been at the fulcrum of activity for so long, this has led to a seamless transition of accountabilities. Published 12 November 2020
Penelope Cooper update
06 November 2020
An effective response to COVID-19 is the current priority of the Scottish Government. The SPPA has worked closely with the Scottish Government throughout the pandemic and has offered support and people resource when required. Our Chief Executive, Penelope Cooper, will join the core Scottish Government on a fixed-term secondment (six months) to become Director of Outbreak Management, reporting to Ken Thomson, Director General, Constitutional and External Affairs.
Scheme Pays Deadlines for 2018/19
10 July 2020
Mandatory Scheme Pays (MSP) The deadline for Mandatory Scheme Pays applications for 2018/19 is 31 July 2020. All applications must be received by SPPA on or before this date, any received after the deadline will only be treated as Voluntary Scheme Pays. The minimum Mandatory Scheme Pays application is £2,000. Voluntary Scheme Pays (VSP)
The Scottish Public Pensions Agency launches the Doddie 500(00000)
08 July 2020
Press release - 8 July 2020 The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is celebrating the 50th birthday of former Scotland Rugby international, Doddie Weir, by launching a month-long walking event to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – ‘the Doddie 500(00000)’
Dependents pension – a change in your full time education?
29 June 2020
If you’re receiving a dependants pension, you need to let us know if your full-time education circumstances have changed, as any change could impact on the payments you receive. If you’re not continuing your full-time education at the start of the new academic year, you need to let us know immediately If you’re planning on taking a break year or are unsure of your plans for the new academic year, then contact us to discuss your options.
Important COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update – Reduced telephony service
28 June 2020
January 2021: Important COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update – Reduced telephony service We’re continuing to follow Scottish and UK Government guidance and taken the appropriate preventative measures to protect our colleagues and services. We’re well prepared for the spread of the virus and continuing to deliver core services.
Pensions Increase 2020
24 June 2020
Public service pensions in payment, together with those that are deferred for payment at a future date, are indexed annually based on the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measured as at the previous September. In the 12 months to September 2019, CPI was 1.7%. As a result, an increase of 1.7% is to be applied from Monday 6 April 2020 for pensions in payment and deferred pensions.