Information on Pensions Increase 2021
12 February 2021
Under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971, made in accordance with the Social Security Pensions Act 1975, the increase to be applied to public sector pensions is 0.5% and is payable from 12 April 2021. If you have not been in receipt of your pension for a full year, only a proportion of the annual increase is payable. Pension Increase is only paid from age 55 with some exceptions, if the pension is an Ill Health or dependant’s pension.
Charity Partnership Announcement 2021
04 February 2021
The SPPA is delighted to announce that our charity partner for 2021 is SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health). SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. In communities all over Scotland, the charity works with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others. We look forward to working with SAMH and making a big difference to our Agency and promote positive, mental health awareness.
Important update on your Pension: The Government's Approach to the 2015 Remedy
04 February 2021
The UK government’s announcement
Privacy Policy Update
01 February 2021
We currently record all inbound calls into the Agency and detail the purpose for doing so within our Privacy Policy. From the 1 February 2021 we will additionally be recording outbound calls through our telephony system. This is to further protect ourselves and our customers. We have updated our Privacy Policy to reflect this change. Published 1 February 2021
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)