A number of cases have recently been identified where employers have incorrectly recorded individual managers as having automatic entitlement to SCS (i.e. Capacity Code = 01, Nurse with Special Class status when the Capacity Code should be 04 – Administrative, non-Special Class) or where employers have incorrectly assumed that retention of SCS should apply to managers, without consulting NHS Pensions.
In some cases this has caused individual members to have an incorrect expectation that they could retire from age 55 without having to take actuarially reduced benefits.
We would like to remind employers that when considering retention of SCS for any managers, you must ensure the correct procedure is followed upon each change of employment, duties or promotion. You must also ensure that the rationale for any decision about retention can be evidenced by the relevant job description and person specification.
The final decision as to whether SCS can be retained rests with NHS Pensions. All applications are considered individually and the outcome is subject to the duties and person specification of the post, as defined within the formal job description/specification, along with the applicant’s employment history.
Particular care should be taken where retention is being considered for senior managers at director level or above. All cases must be referred to NHS Pensions for approval via form SMR with appropriate evidence and before a member is informed whether they have retained SCS.
Further information about SCS, retention criteria and relevant procedures can be found within the Employers Hub on our website.