A message from Chris Dawson, Head of Service, NHS Pensions:
We understand that the current situation around COVID-19 continues to cause significant concern and uncertainty. I wanted to reassure you that at NHS Pensions we have taken, and continue to take, a number of proactive steps to ensure that we support you during these difficult times.
Our efforts will ensure that in the days and weeks ahead we can prioritise retirement applications, receipt of notifications of bereavements and the processing of pensions payment to our members. As a result, you may notice some disruption to our other services, but we will do our very best to limit this.
We understand that many employers will be adopting different working practices and may be working remotely.
To ensure you can access the resources you need we are adapting some of our processes to assist you during this period.
If you are able to still use normal channels, please do so. In the event that you are unable to share information with us in the usual ways, please follow the below advice:
- We will accept certain forms by official email for any retirements, ill-health applications, bereavements and processing of pension payments. You can find the list of forms in the Frequently Asked Questions. Send these to nhsbsa.pensionscanquery@nhs.net.
- Forms received by email will not be rejected if the employer has been unable to provide a wet signature. (You must confirm a wet signature could not be obtained in the main body of your accompanying email)
- We will continue to send the Ill-health notification letters via the post and will also send an email to the main EA contact email address held on our database where an ill health application has been accepted.
- Pensions Online (POL) continues to be available for employers to update and amend members' pension records and POL continues to be monitored during this time. To ensure we continue to prioritise the delivery of this service, we have decided to close the Pension Online Helpline (POLHD) at this time. Any calls should be made to the Employer Helpline. If you require a password reset please email nhsbsa.POLHD@nhs.net.
Should you have a need to contact us, call the Employer Helpline on 0300 3301 353 or email nhsbsa.pensionsemployers@nhs.net
In line with government guidance, we have taken the decision to cancel all of our events in April and May 2020. We hope to rearrange these to a later date and we will provide further details once these are confirmed.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do and for your continued efforts to ensure the delivery of vital healthcare services at this critical time.
Chris Dawson
Full information on COVID-19 contingency measures for employers.