Guaranteed Minimum Pension
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
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
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
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
Important update on your Pension: The Government's Approach to the 2015 Remedy
The UK government’s announcement Following the public consultation held in 2020, the UK government has now set out its approach to remedying the age discrimination found in the 2015 pension reforms. Having considered the response to the consultation, the UK government has decided to implement a ‘deferred choice underpin’ which was the approach favoured by the majority of respondents.
Important update on your Pension: The McCloud/Sargeant judgement and the 2015 Remedy
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.
NHS Scotland Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) Scheme - transfer from Equitable Life to Utmost Life and Pensions
Equitable Life closed to new business in 2001 but the NHS Scotland AVC Scheme with Equitable Life remained open because it was established before the closure. As a result, members of the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) who had previously paid contributions to Equitable were permitted to continue in the AVC Scheme with them.
Update on McCloud – addressing age discrimination
On 25 March 2020 the Economic Secretary to the Treasury laid a Written Ministerial Statement before the UK Parliament to provide an update on the progress the government is making to address the discrimination identified by the Court of Appeal in the 2015 reforms in some of the public service pension schemes.
Court of Appeal Judgment - Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
The Court of Appeal has recently upheld an appeal by Mrs Jane Langford, the unmarried partner of Air Commodore Green who died in 2011. Under the rules of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), Mrs Langford was unable to claim an unmarried partner benefit from the AFCS as she remained married at the time of AC Green’s Death. The Court of Appeal has ruled Mrs Langford should be eligible to receive benefits.
Changes to Survivor Benefits
SPPA is undertaking an exercise to identify any pensions paid to survivors of same sex marriages or civil partnerships and review those where the scheme member had pre 1988 (1990 in the police) service that was not used in the award. SPPA will contact individuals whose survivor pensions have been revised to arrange for the revised rate and any arrears to be put into payment. For further information please see your pension scheme circular which can be found under Scheme Governance and Legislation - circulars. Date added 2 July 2019.