NHS Pensions and TRS

Moonwolf

This isn't a question more of a statement, it is a bit niche for NHS pensions.  NHS Pension experts feel free to correct me or add something. I am just an NHS employee, I don't work in pensions so this might be wrong.

This year the Total Reward Statements (TRS) have been modified.  Those with McCloud years may have seen the remedy years applied to their 1995 scheme and removed from their 2015.  This doesn't mean you have to take those years against 1995, you will still have the choice. From next year the TRS should show both.  https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/employer-update-public-service-pension-remedy-mccloud-september-2023

I'm also seeing people reporting that their 2015 has gone down even though they aren't covered by McCloud, and other errors, more than usual.

The TRS isn't even an estimate, it is an indication.  They are calculated en masse not individually and are often wrong or just missing.  They don't cope well if anything is slightly out of the usual in your data. In addition there has been a lot of fiddling for McCloud and it is obvious that staff are snowed under with McCloud stuff and people doing retire and return.

Your actual pension should be calculated personally so won't suffer the same issues, although mistakes still happen.

If you think your TRS is wrong, take ownership.

1 Find your payslips.  Download them, especially the last one in each financial year.  I don't have my early ones as I lost some in a move, but I have everything for the last 30 years and the electronic ones are backed up to the cloud.  For the 2015 scheme you need to know your pensionable salary each year.  This is usually higher than the taxable salary on your P60 but should be readable for most people on your last payslip in the financial year, March.
2. Request an estimate https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/getting-estimate-your-pension  they are taking a long time at the moment, mine took over 6 months to arrive.
3. Work out what your pension should be yourself, some of the calculations are a bit complicated but all the information is available.  My figures agree with my TRS and haven't been more than 3p out in the last five years, and I usually know 6 months early what my TRS will show.  You can then ask the right questions if there is an error.

Sarahspangles

Wise words Moonwolf.

The other change this year is the roll out of https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/my-nhs-pension which becomes the only portal members can access once they leave the NHS and can no longer log in to ESR. Colleagues have mentioned, and I experienced, that setting this up did not run smoothly. I’m sure this will settle down in time. However for those nearing their retirement, it’s not something to leave to the last minute when you’re emptying your desk or locker.

Bobinyorkshire

I am still working and can access both ‘My NHS pension’ and ESR. The good thing about the My NHS pension website is, as I work part time and do unsociable hours it gives me the whole time equivalent salary used for the calculation of the1995 portion of my pension which is different to the pensionable earnings used for the 2015 portion 

DBdoobydoo

Sarahspangles said:

Wise words Moonwolf.

The other change this year is the roll out of https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/my-nhs-pension which becomes the only portal members can access once they leave the NHS and can no longer log in to ESR. Colleagues have mentioned, and I experienced, that setting this up did not run smoothly. I’m sure this will settle down in time. However for those nearing their retirement, it’s not something to leave to the last minute when you’re emptying your desk or locker.

Thanks. I am in receipt of an NHS pensions & you just prompted me to check on My NHS Pension again. It was a bit pitiful when I set up my account a few months ago as it didn't conatin much beyond my name & address. However now I see that I can view & download monthly payslips & P60s. It does look a bit clunky but the information is all there now stretching back over the four years since I first claimed my pension. It was a particular bugbear of mine that it was impossible to get an online monthly payslip & that you only got sent a paper payslip when something changed. Finally it looks like NHS Pensions are being dragged into the 21st century.

arthur_fowler

Moonwolf said:

This isn't a question more of a statement, it is a bit niche for NHS pensions.  NHS Pension experts feel free to correct me or add something. I am just an NHS employee, I don't work in pensions so this might be wrong.

This year the Total Reward Statements (TRS) have been modified.  Those with McCloud years may have seen the remedy years applied to their 1995 scheme and removed from their 2015.  This doesn't mean you have to take those years against 1995, you will still have the choice. From next year the TRS should show both.  https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/employer-update-public-service-pension-remedy-mccloud-september-2023

I'm also seeing people reporting that their 2015 has gone down even though they aren't covered by McCloud, and other errors, more than usual.

The TRS isn't even an estimate, it is an indication.  They are calculated en masse not individually and are often wrong or just missing.  They don't cope well if anything is slightly out of the usual in your data. In addition there has been a lot of fiddling for McCloud and it is obvious that staff are snowed under with McCloud stuff and people doing retire and return.

Your actual pension should be calculated personally so won't suffer the same issues, although mistakes still happen.

If you think your TRS is wrong, take ownership.

1 Find your payslips.  Download them, especially the last one in each financial year.  I don't have my early ones as I lost some in a move, but I have everything for the last 30 years and the electronic ones are backed up to the cloud.  For the 2015 scheme you need to know your pensionable salary each year.  This is usually higher than the taxable salary on your P60 but should be readable for most people on your last payslip in the financial year, March.
2. Request an estimate https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/getting-estimate-your-pension  they are taking a long time at the moment, mine took over 6 months to arrive.
3. Work out what your pension should be yourself, some of the calculations are a bit complicated but all the information is available.  My figures agree with my TRS and haven't been more than 3p out in the last five years, and I usually know 6 months early what my TRS will show.  You can then ask the right questions if there is an error.

Thanks! 

Just checked Mrs F's My Pension Online (she can't access ESR even though she is still in the NHS working at a local GPs and has been moved from TRS).

Looks like McCloud has been applied to her 1995 which has gone up nicely and taken off her 2015. Seems strange that they haven't emailed or mailed her to say what has happened. I could only tell by looking at a copy of last year's My Pension Online and comparing.

Stubod

....yep, NHS pensions are a complete joke at the mo.....between me and Mrs Stubod we have 3....all have been paid incorrectly.....my last one, due last year has still not been sorted after 9 months!!

Put a complaint in 2 months ago and still heard nothing.....check, check check your own MHS pensions.....truly pityful service...

DBdoobydoo

Stubod said:

....yep, NHS pensions are a complete joke at the mo.....between me and Mrs Stubod we have 3....all have been paid incorrectly.....my last one, due last year has still not been sorted after 9 months!!

Put a complaint in 2 months ago and still heard nothing.....check, check check your own MHS pensions.....truly pityful service...

On the contrary I recently had great experience with NHS pensions. I initially took my NHS pension four years ago but continued working & earning 2015 pension. I finally retired mid February 2024 & submitted the form to claim the pension that I had earned in the last four years. I had my first payment in March. The new amount of pension was added to the previous pension so I still get a single payment at the end of every month. I was very impressed with the service.

Flugelhorn

Bobinyorkshire said:

I am still working and can access both ‘My NHS pension’ and ESR. The good thing about the My NHS pension website is, as I work part time and do unsociable hours it gives me the whole time equivalent salary used for the calculation of the1995 portion of my pension which is different to the pensionable earnings used for the 2015 portion 

good move re WTE at one point about 10 years back they quoted a WTE approx half what I expected, they had taken the daily rate and assumed I was doing a 14 hour day... give them their due, they changed it over the phone 

Sarahspangles

Flugelhorn said:

good move re WTE at one point about 10 years back they quoted a WTE approx half what I expected, they had taken the daily rate and assumed I was doing a 14 hour day... give them their due, they changed it over the phone 

I’ve definitely done a few 14 hour days!

Stubod

DBdoobydoo said:

On the contrary I recently had great experience with NHS pensions. I initially took my NHS pension four years ago but continued working & earning 2015 pension. I finally retired mid February 2024 & submitted the form to claim the pension that I had earned in the last four years. I had my first payment in March. The new amount of pension was added to the previous pension so I still get a single payment at the end of every month. I was very impressed with the service.

..well good for you, (genuinely), but your "success" has no bearing on my experience....

DBdoobydoo

Stubod said:

DBdoobydoo said:

On the contrary I recently had great experience with NHS pensions. I initially took my NHS pension four years ago but continued working & earning 2015 pension. I finally retired mid February 2024 & submitted the form to claim the pension that I had earned in the last four years. I had my first payment in March. The new amount of pension was added to the previous pension so I still get a single payment at the end of every month. I was very impressed with the service.

..well good for you, (genuinely), but your "success" has no bearing on my experience....

Maybe not but for others dealing with NHS pensions my experience provides reassurance that claims can be handled very rapidly & efficiently.