McCloud Remedy

PNorth

I joined the NHS pension scheme in 2003 and left the service in 2022. So a large proportion of my pension is affected by the McCloud Remedy. I am now 60 and was hoping to take my pension this year, so I need a comparison between the standard pension and the remedy. I have been in contact with the NHS Pension, but with no success as to a date for the requested information. Does anyone know how long this might take, and if delayed will the payments be back dated. Is there a way of getting some useful response from the NHS, as nothing seems to have worked so far.

Lowtrawler

PNorth said:

I joined the NHS pension scheme in 2003 and left the service in 2022. So a large proportion of my pension is affected by the McCloud Remedy. I am now 60 and was hoping to take my pension this year, so I need a comparison between the standard pension and the remedy. I have been in contact with the NHS Pension, but with no success as to a date for the requested information. Does anyone know how long this might take, and if delayed will the payments be back dated. Is there a way of getting some useful response from the NHS, as nothing seems to have worked so far.

You should definitely take your 1995 pension from your 60th birthday. There is no benefit from delaying and you will simply lose money you would be entitled to as there is no backdating. As you say you are already 60, you are currently losing money and so should apply asap.

By the time you do this, it is likely they will be able to provide you with the McCloud options. However, if they cannot, their default is to pay your pension as if all your service to 31 March 2022 is included in the 1995 scheme. Note: I'm ignoring the 2008 scheme and it could be different if you have any service in that scheme. When the McCloud calculations are provided, you will get a chance to change the choice.

They are not replying to individual McCloud queries unless you have already received the McCloud correspondence.

spaniel101

Lowtrawler said:

PNorth said:

I joined the NHS pension scheme in 2003 and left the service in 2022. So a large proportion of my pension is affected by the McCloud Remedy. I am now 60 and was hoping to take my pension this year, so I need a comparison between the standard pension and the remedy. I have been in contact with the NHS Pension, but with no success as to a date for the requested information. Does anyone know how long this might take, and if delayed will the payments be back dated. Is there a way of getting some useful response from the NHS, as nothing seems to have worked so far.

You should definitely take your 1995 pension from your 60th birthday. There is no benefit from delaying and you will simply lose money you would be entitled to as there is no backdating. As you say you are already 60, you are currently losing money and so should apply asap.

By the time you do this, it is likely they will be able to provide you with the McCloud options. However, if they cannot, their default is to pay your pension as if all your service to 31 March 2022 is included in the 1995 scheme. Note: I'm ignoring the 2008 scheme and it could be different if you have any service in that scheme. When the McCloud calculations are provided, you will get a chance to change the choice.

They are not replying to individual McCloud queries unless you have already received the McCloud correspondence.

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-04594/en-us

Will my pension be backdated if I claim it after my Normal Pension Age (NPA)?

This depends on when you left NHS employment.

Your pension will be backdated to your NPA if you’ve not worked in the NHS since your NPA. You’ll receive a mandatory taxable back payment of your pension benefits. You cannot choose the date your back payment of benefits will be paid into your account.

If you’re an active member of the NHS Pension Scheme, your benefits will only become payable when you leave NHS employment. Your pension will not be backdated to your NPA.

PNorth

Thanks so much for the advise.

PNorth

As you said Lowtrawler, with my Annual Benefits Statement they have now given me an option, including Option A, the McCloud Remedy. Seeing as I left the NHS back in 2022, I have to fill out a AW8P form. Most of it makes sense, I just cannot understand how I choose the Option A, with the remedy. There is no mention of the 2008 scheme in the summary, but part 3 of the AW8P form requires, in section 3.3, information about the 2008 scheme. Do I just ignore this section, as the guidance notes don`t seem to cover this?

missymoneypenny

I'm not sure whether you ever got the information needed for your question, but I spoke with NHS pensions yesterday as I am retiring and in a similar position to you having started in 2003. The ESR online has the McCloud statement, but I have not yet received an official letter in the post. They like to do things the old way.

The person I spoke with was really helpful and he said that they will start paying me my 1995 pension, and then once I receive the letter, even if that is a year down the line (as they are delayed and have a backlog) I can make the choice then. You can't make the choice before you receive the letter.

I said what will happen if I have a greater lump sum now and then would be entitled to a lesser lump sum under the option B but with a greater monthly pension - ie how would that be paid back, and they basically said rather than deducting it from your pension going forward, you can make an arrangement to pay off either as a lump sum or over a period of about a year. I hope this is correct as I would prefer that than a reduction to monthly amount,

Hope that helps anyone else. You can call and ask any questions you have;

The main NHS Pensions telephone number for members is 0300 330 1346. 

Helpline Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.