Automatic Enrolment Facts for NHS Lanarkshire Staff

What is auto enrolment?

The Government has introduced new legislation which is designed to help people save more for their retirement. It requires employers to automatically enrol workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme if they:

  • are not already in one;
  • earn over £9,440 per annum (£786.67 a month or £181.04 a week); and
  • are aged 22 or over; andare under State Pension age.

Why is this happening?

The UK Government’s aim is for more people to have another income, on top of the state pension, when they come to retire. The full basic state pension for a single person is currently £107.45 per week (2012/13 rates). This is intended to be a foundation - you may want more.

When will this change come into force?

All new employees joining NHS Lanarkshire from 1 March 2013 onwards will be automatically enrolled into the NHS Pension Scheme. For existing staff who are not members of the scheme, NHS Lanarkshire is postponing auto enrolment from 1 March 2013 until 31 May 2013, as permitted by the legislation, to enable us to put appropriate arrangements in place. At this date, i.e. 31 May 2013, if you meet the criteria for automatic enrolment you will be enrolled into the scheme.

I am already a member of the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland)

If you are already a scheme memberthen you don’t have to do anything and you will remain in the scheme.

I am not a member of the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland)

If you are not currently a NHS Superannuation Scheme (the scheme) member we will automatically enrol you into the scheme with effect from 31May 2013 providing you meet the criteria for auto enrolment set out aboveand also provided you meet the rules for scheme membership.

What are the benefits of joining the NHS Pension Scheme?

  • In addition to your personal contributions, NHS Lanarkshire will also make a contribution.
  • The government contribute through tax relief.
  • There are life assurance/dependant benefits.
  • The state pension is a foundation for your retirement, but you may want more.
  • It’s a hassle free way of saving while you earn.

How much will it cost me?

The member contributions for 2013/14 are as follows:

Tier Full time salary/total pensionable earnings

1Up to £15,2785%

2£15,279 to £21,1755.3%

3£21,176 to £26,5576.8%

4£26,558 to £48,9829%

5£48,983 to £69,93111.3%

6£69,932 to £110,27312.3%

7£110,274 and over13.3%

Pension contributions are taken from salary before tax and you will therefore benefit from tax relief at your highest rate. In addition, NHS Lanarkshirecontribution rate is currently 13.5%.

Will the amounts paid into my pension change?

Yes, as the contribution is based on a fixed percentage, deductions will automatically increase or decrease accordingly if your earnings go up or down. Percentage contribution rates may also be subject to change.

I am not a member of the NHS Superannuation Scheme and don’t earn more than £9,440 per annum (£786.67 a month/£181.04 a week) what happens if I earn more than the above amounts in the future?

If you earn more than the above amounts in any pay period, you will be automatically enrolled into the scheme, provided you are aged 22 or over and are under State Pension age. If this happens, we will write to you again to give you all the information you need.

I am not a member of the NHS Superannuation Scheme and I am younger than 22if I don’t join the pension scheme now, what happens when I reach 22?

If you earn more than earn over (£9,440 per annum) £786.67 a month or £181.04 a weekwhen you reach 22, you will be automatically enrolled into the scheme. We will write to you again, around the time of your 22nd birthday if your earnings are at the above level to give you all the information you need.

I don’t meet the automatic enrolment criteria, but want to join the pension scheme?

If you don’t meet the earnings or age criteria, you can still join the scheme. To do so, send a signed letter to the Payroll Department, Corporate Services, MonklandsHospital, please include your payroll number on the letter and indicate when you wish to commence making contributions. Or if sending it electronically, it has to contain the phrase “I confirm I personally submitted this notice to join a workplace pension scheme”. Contact details for payroll staff can be found on firstport.

What if I want to pay more into my NHS Superannuation Schemepension pot?

You can increase the amount you contribute by buying Additional Pension. For full details please contact the SPPA or visit their website.

How much will I get from my NHS Superannuation Scheme pension when I retire?

The SPPA can provide you with estimated benefits you will receive as at your intended retirement date. A useful pension calculator is also available on the SPPA web site.

I am thinking about retiring, will I be enrolled?

Yes, you will be enrolled.

I am already in receipt of my state pension, will I be enrolled?

Yes, you will be enrolled, as you can have both a workplace pension and state pension.

I wish to opt out of the NHS Superannuation Scheme, how do I arrange this?

Once you have been enrolled into the scheme and should you wish to opt out you can obtain the relevant opt out form from the SPPA website or by contacting the SPPA Tel: 01896 893000. Please note that applications to opt out can only be accepted by NHS Lanarkshire on the official opt out form. Please note that under the legislation NHS Lanarkshire is not permitted to issue opt out forms.

If I opt out can I re-join the NHS Superannuation Scheme at a later date?

Yes, you can re-join the scheme at any time. To do so, write tothe Payroll Department, Corporate Services, MonklandsHospital, the letter has to be signed by you. If sending it electronically, it has to contain the phrase “I confirm I personally submitted this notice to join the NHS Superannuation Scheme.” Contact details for payroll staff can be found on firstport.

What if I opt out of the scheme, but deductions have already been taken from my salary?

If you have been in the scheme for less than two years, you can have a refund of contributions, providing you are under age 60. Depending on the number of deductions made, the refund will be made either via the payroll department or the Pensions Agency. For more information contact either the payroll department or the pensions agency direct.

Where can I find more information on the NHS Superannuation Scheme?

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers the scheme for NHS Scotland Health Boards. More information on the scheme can be foundat Tel: 01896 893000.

A regular reminder

Anyone who opts out or stops making payments will be automatically enrolled back into the scheme at a later date (usually every three years). This is because your circumstances may have changed and it may be the right timefor you to start saving. We will contact you when this happens, and you can opt out if it’s still not right for you. This is an automatic enrolment requirement and applies to all qualifying pension schemes.

What if I am not eligible to join the NHS Superannuation Scheme?

A small number of staff may not be eligible to join the scheme. Where you fall into this category e.g. re-employed NHS Superannuation Scheme pensioners but meet the criteria for auto enrolment, as set out above, we will automatically enrol you into the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme.

What if I have more than one job/contract of employment?

  • If you have more than one job with different employers (NHS and non NHS) you can contribute to all workplace pension schemes and in accordance with the legislation will be automatically enrolled intothem.
  • If you hold a full-time NHS Lanarkshire contract and are a member of the NHS Pension scheme but are also employed on NHS Lanarkshire Staff Bank you will not be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme for your bank contract.
  • If you hold a full-time contract with one NHS Board and are a member of the NHS Pension scheme but are also employed on the bank with another NHS Board, you will be automatically enrolled into NEST for your bank contract.
  • If you hold a part-time NHS contract you can be enrolled into the NHS Pension scheme for bank work however, the maximum contributions anyone can make to the NHS Pension Scheme is based on full-time contracted hours.
  • If you hold several part-time NHS posts you can be enrolled into the NHS Pension Scheme, however, the maximum contributions anyone can make to the NHS Pension Scheme is based on full-time contracted hours.

Can I choose to join NEST instead of the NHS Superannuation Scheme?

No. NEST is not an optional alternative to the NHS Superannuation Scheme. NEST can only be used if you meet the eligibility criteria for auto enrolment but are not eligible to join the NHS Superannuation Scheme.

What are the NEST Contribution Rates?

Your contribution with NEST will be 0.8% of gross earnings between £5,564 per annum (£463.67 monthly) and £41,450 per annum (£3,454.17 monthly) and NHS Lanarkshire will also make a 1% contribution.

The Government will contribute tax relief currently at a rate of 20% of your own contribution and this will be claimed by NEST on your behalf. The level of contributions will increase in 2017 to 3% employee and 2% employer contribution and in 2018 the contribution rates will further increase to 5% employee and 3% employer respectively.

Where can I find more information on NEST?

If you’d like to know more about NEST you can visit their website at or you can contact: NEST, Nene Hall, LynchWoodBusinessPark, Peterborough PE2 6FY. Telephone enquiries should be made to 0300 020 0090 and Emails should be addressed to

I wish to opt out of NEST, how do I arrange this?

If you are automatically enrolled into NEST they will write to you to provide you with a NEST ID. If you decide that you don’t wish to save with NEST you have the right to opt out however you must do this within the opt out period which will be confirmed to you by NEST. Once you’ve received your NEST ID you can opt out by:

  • visiting and following the information on screen
  • calling NEST on 0300 020 0090 and following the automated instructions
  • calling NEST on 0300 020 0090 and requesting a paper opt-out form which you’ll need to sign and give to us.

Where can I get further general pension and auto enrolment information?

A booklet explaining pension auto enrolment together with Frequently Asked Questions has been published by the Pension Regulator and can be found at:

For information on pensions and savings for later life visit:

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers the scheme for NHS Scotland Health Boards. More information on the scheme can be foundat

If you’d like to know more about NEST you can visit their website at

A commitment from NHS Lanarkshire

If you are under 75, work or usually work in the UK, and earn over £5,564 a year(the amount set by the Government for this):

  • we must by law continue to maintain your membership of a scheme that meets certain Government standards; and
  • if your membership of such a scheme ends (and it is not because of something you do or fail to do), we must by law put you into another scheme that meets government standards straightaway

This factsheet is not exhaustive and will not cover every personal scenario, but it has been designed to give you a clearer understanding of what Auto-enrolment is, what it means for you, and to point you in the right direction for further advice/information to enable you to make the decision that isright for you.

Further information/advice regarding auto-enrolment is also available from the Human Resources Department and the Payroll Department.

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