---

Pensions: Public Sector

Answer

Following the Public Services Forum agreement with public service unions in October 2005, the teachers, NHS and the Civil Service pension schemes have been undergoing reforms to ensure future affordability. The increase in the pension ages for new entrants is an important component of these reforms, which also include sharing of future costs between employees and employers and a cap on future employer contribution rates. Reform has also taken place in other schemes including their counterpart schemes in devolved Administrations and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Information on the pension ages currently applied in all public sector schemes is not held centrally, but the position as regards new entrants to the main schemes for which UK government Ministers are responsible is: Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS)—60, but the Cabinet Office has announced that new arrangements with a pension age of 65 are to start from July 2007; Teachers’ pension scheme in England and Wales—65, with effect from 1 January 2007; NHS Pension Scheme—60, but NHS employers have proposed that arrangements with a pension age of 65 should start by 2008; Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)—65; Police—55, or 65 for those who leave before age 55, both with effect from 6 April 2006; Fire fighters—60, or 65 for those who leave before age 55, both with effect from 6 April 2006; and Armed Forces—55, or 65 for those who leave before age 55, both with effect from 6 April 2005.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3688; 692 c79-80WA

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Age Civil servants Fire and rescue services Local government NHS Police Public sector Retirement

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk