Since 25 March 2020, The Coronavirus Act 2020 temporarily suspended some of the regulations governing the administration of the NHS Pension Scheme, including the temporary suspension of:
- the 16-hour rule
- abatement for Special Class status holders in the 1995 Section
- draw down abatement in the 2008 Section and 2015 Scheme
The temporary suspensions will end on 24 March 2022
The measures set out in the Act were designed to be time limited. Following a review by Parliament in October 2021, the Act was extended to 24 March 2022.
We will return to normal arrangements from 25 March 2022. This is when the 16-hour rule in the 1995 Section, abatement for Special Class status holders in the 1995 Section and draw down abatement in the 2008 Section and 2015 Scheme will come back into force.
We have written to all affected pensioners to explain the re-instatement of the rules. We have confirmed we will write again early in the New Year with their earnings margin so that they can re-negotiate their hours should they wish to. In some cases, we will need to contact employers to request earnings. An early response to this would be very much appreciated.
Please ask your pensioners, for the time being, not to contact us to request their earnings margin because this could delay our calculations and communications.
We are awaiting an update from DHSC on the implications of re-introducing the 16-hour rule where 25 March 2022 could be part way through the first month of retirement. As soon as we have confirmation, we will update employers.