NHS pensions

Health Secretary Alex Neil has issued a letter to be provided to NHS staff reassuring them that all NHS pension rights and entitlements will be fully protected and accessible under independence.

Mr Neil said the issue had been raised with him at public meetings and it was crucial that staff understood the facts, as set out in the White Paper Scotland's Future and the detailed supporting paper, Pensions in an independent Scotland.

Mr Neil said:

“This is an issue that has been raised with me several times and I think it is vital to set the record straight and reassure our hard working NHS staff.

“In the White Paper we made clear that, in an independent Scotland, all public service pension rights and entitlements will be fully protected and accessible and that this government is fully committed to providing a fair, affordable and sustainable pension and reward package to public sector employees.

“We went into more detail in Pensions in an Independent Scot/and, confirming that there would be no difference to individual contribution rates or benefit levels as a result of independence and that, for scheme members and existing pensioners of Scotland's schemes, there would be no change in their pension arrangements following independence.

“If, for example, a former NHS Scotland employee has retired, begun to draw their pension, and moves to live in England, the Scottish NHS pension scheme would continue to pay this pension, just as it does at present. Scotland already has the people and the infrastructure in place to deliver high-quality public service pensions.

“In Scotland's Future we also expressed our concern at the proposed rise in the State Pension Age to 67 and confirmed that one of our early tasks will be to establish a commission on the appropriate State Pension Age for Scotland. In that context, we will consider the impact of their recommendations on the working and retirement patterns of Scotland's public servants - including doctors, nurses and teachers - within the first parliamentary term of an independent parliament.

“Independence will deliver a public service pensions system that is affordable, sustainable and fair, one that works for and with public sector employees, public service provision, the tax-payer, and the overall public finances. Independence will enable a positive and inclusive approach to negotiating public sector workers' pension arrangements.”