Nhs special class

LookingForwardToRetiremet

Hello,

I'd be grateful of thoughts please:

I'm in the 1995 scheme
I have special class
In Scotland
TUPED into Scottish Local Authority from NHS but remained in the NHS pension scheme .

I want to boost my pension by taking a higher band in inner London for my last year as I understand the High Housing Allowance of up to 20% of salary is pensionable.

The information I have been given by the Sppa initially told me I would not retain my special class if I moved out of area even with Scotland. I've since had an email to say they've looked into it further and I would provided England Pensions accept that .

I'm very very reluctant to do anything rash without gaining 100% in black and white from both Scottish and English departments that I'm not going to have any loss of special class.

I'm concerned I get wrong advice from them and then left high and dry so to speak.

agrinnall

I've no idea what these presumably rather specialised terms mean, but I'd suggest this is something you should discuss with your union.

Manxman_in_exile

I agree with the above advice to ask your union. And I would think that you would need specialist advice from either the regional office or their head office, not just your local rep.


I'm also inclined to think that what you are proposing is a bit of a risk. Most of the NHS special classes I used to work with were incredibly careful not to endanger their special status. I would be concerned that you might get advice that you would be ok, but then find out that the terms of the scheme didn't actually allow it. I can't be sure but I think I can remember cases where the NHS Pensions agency appeared to agree that certain situations were OK, but then backtracked because the T&Cs of the scheme didn't permit it. You'd then be faced with having to take some sort of legal action against them (or your union) to show you'd been misled and suffered some loss. Once you reach that stage nothing is certain. Why risk it? (At least that's what I'd be thinking).


Also, I can see why any London weighting re housing costs might be superannuable, but I can also see why they might not be.


(PS = you need to ask the moderators to move this to the Pensions Board as I think some of the posters on there are quite knowledgeable about the NHS scheme. I've forgotten most I knew!)

Manxman_in_exile

I see you've already posted on the Pensions board.


As you've had no replies there in nearly 11 hours I was going to suggest that your situation is perhaps too technical or too far out of the usual to get good advice on this forum.


But reading the other post (about TUPE) I wonder whether that was intended to be posted here, and you intended this post (about NHS pensions) to go on the pensions board?

LookingForwardToRetiremet

Thanks for reply ; IT does not come natural to me ; took. ages to find how to post !

Yes will be in contact with the union but just wanted to test the water in terms of others who may have been in the TUPE boat.

Potentially I could make a substantial difference to both my annual pension and lump sum by going to inner London for a year but absolutely not worth it if the Special Class goes.

I certainly cannot afford to be a risk taker albeit I would like to think that if it's in black and white then they have to take responsibility for the advice they give.
I'm a complete realist so know my 'caution caution' alarm bells are ringing for good reason.

Best wishes and thanks