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BMA challenges NHS pension misconceptions |
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Friday, 30 July 2010 08:13 |
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The NHS pension scheme is sustainable and represents value for money for the public, the BMA says today (Friday 30 July, 2010) as it challenges some of the misconceptions about pensions for public sector workers.
In its submission to the independent commission into public sector pensions, the BMA points out that the NHS scheme is financed by employees and employers rather than taxpayers, and in recent years has actually provided a surplus to the Treasury.
It also draws attention to the fact that the scheme for NHS staff in England and Wales has already been subject to a recent major review. In 2008 the normal pension age for new staff increased from 60 to 65, and employers’ contributions were capped, while contributions from doctors increased by up to 2.5%. GP members of the scheme also pay employer contributions of 14%.
Dr Andrew Dearden, Chairman of the BMA’s Pensions Committee, said
“Pensions for NHS staff are by no means a drain on the taxpayer – they represent a fair deal for staff and value for money for the public. We understand the need to keep the NHS scheme fair and sustainable in the long term, which is why we accepted the major changes recommended by the review in 2008.
“NHS pensions play a vital part in recruiting and retaining a high quality workforce in future, and we hope they will continue to do so in future.”
View the full BMA submission at: http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/pensions/ipspcevidencejuly2010.jsp
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