Who is eligible for the remedy?
Since the launch of the public consultation document, we have received many requests for clarification of those that will be entitled to participate in the review of pensions secured during the remedy period.
The relevant section in the document reads “The proposals set out within this consultation will apply to all members who were in service on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1 April 2015, including those with a qualifying break in service of less than 5 years, across all affected public service schemes”.
What does this mean?
First it confirms that members that were serving throughout the period 31st March 2012 to 1st April 2015 inclusive will be included. We already knew this.
What it also means is that if you were serving at some point before and after these respective dates, and you had a break in service of 5 years or less, then you will also be included.
The following examples might make this clearer: –
- somebody that left service in 2010 and re-joined in 2014 – is now eligible for remedy review.
- somebody that left service in January 2012 and re-joined in January 2016 – is now eligible for remedy review.
- somebody that joined in December 2012 and left in January 2014 and re-joined in March 2015 – is not eligible for remedy review (because they were not in service on or before 31st March 2012).
Note that all members that are part of the eligible cohort will receive the review be they now active, deferred, or pensioner members.
The position for eligible members that die prior to the end of the remedy period, is that if additional lump sum or pension benefits are due, then these will be paid acknowledging that a great deal of sensitivity will be required (not least because different schemes recognise different beneficiaries). We anticipate such situations being handled on a case by case basis.
