NHS staff angry at retire at 65 plans
Health service unions have said they are determined to resist plans to raise health workers’ retirement age from 60 to 65.
Furthermore, as part of wider proposals, NHS workers’ pensions would then be based on average pay over their career and not on their final salary.
Consultation on the scheme will run until April 11th.
But, the NHS Confederation has said that the proposed changes represent the best possible solution and will give staff more control over their pensions and retirement.
Pension review chair David Jordison said: “Our aim had always been to ensure the NHS pension scheme meets the needs of a modern NHS and its staff, by making benefits more appropriate for today’s workforce.”
He pointed out that staff will be able to take their pension whilst continuing to work so having more flexibility, and unmarried partners will receive the same survivor benefits as married or civil partnerships.
But, the general secretary of UNISON, Dave Prentis, said the union would fight the proposals.
He said: “To suggest that NHS workers should be forced to work until they are 65 is living in cloud cuckoo land. 73 per cent of paramedics are forced to retire through ill-health before they reach the age of 60, let alone carry on until they are 65. Forcing staff to work longer will simply raise the level of ill-health retirements and end up costing the NHS more.
“MPs who will retire at the next election with a five-star pension package are plotting to make NHS staff work longer for less pension. No wonder trust is at rock bottom.”
He added: “Just as the NHS is introducing better training and career opportunities to help staff move up through the ranks, they are taking away a very good incentive to take on additional responsibilities and try to improve your career chances.”
The British Medical Association (BMA) was more circumspect, and said it would be seeking the views of all its members.
The chairman of the pensions committee, Dr Andrew Dearden, said: “This is a fundamental change to doctors’ terms and conditions of employment. We want to hear views from all doctors, but particularly from those under age 50 who will be most affected by these proposals.”
The BMA has always opposed moves to raise the retirement age to 65.
