Central government pensions

There are a number of pension schemes which operate within the central government sector in England and Wales.

The largest schemes are:

  1. the NHS Pension Scheme

  2. the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

  3. the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

All three schemes are unfunded statutory public service pension schemes.

In addition to the three largest schemes, there are also a range of other schemes operating within the sector, including:

  1. the Armed Forces Pension Scheme

  2. the Police Pension Scheme

  3. the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund for MPs

For information on public sector pension schemes in Scotland, see Practice Note: Public sector pension schemes in England and Scotland—key differences.

The NHS Pension Scheme

The NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS) is a multi-employer, unfunded, defined benefit (DB) public service occupational pension scheme for employees of the NHS in England and Wales. The scheme rules are set and amended by statutory instrument.

The NHSPS was reformed over time and different rules apply to members depending on when they joined.

Members who joined the NHSPS before 1 April 2008 participated in the ‘1995 section’ which provides final salary

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DWP to evaluate pension scheme climate disclosure regime as part of government’s modernisation of climate disclosure and transition planning in UK financial markets

As part of its efforts to modernise the UK’s sustainability reporting framework, the government has introduced three consultations intended to “unlock billions in clean energy investment”. In doing so, the government is consulting on how to implement its manifesto commitment to mandate UK-regulated financial institutions (including banks, asset managers, pension funds and insurers),  as well as FTSE 100 companies,  to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement. The government sees transition planning as a vital part of its commitment to secure the UK’s position as the green finance capital of the world. Notably, one consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, seeks views on how the government should implement this commitment by ensuring an orderly transition aligned with global climate goals, aiming to enhance transparency to facilitate efficient capital allocation, enabling companies to seize opportunities from the global net zero transition, and bolstering the growth and international competitiveness of the UK’s financial services industry.  In particular, the consultation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero indicates that during 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will conduct a review of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Climate Change, Governance and Reporting) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/839, utilising evidence provided by the Pensions Regulator (TPR). The DWP regards this review as a logical starting point to assess the effects of the current climate disclosure regime (put in place following the recommendations from the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)) and to consider future steps for climate change reporting. In parallel with the TCFD review, the DWP has tasked TPR with evaluating the feasibility of transition plans within pension schemes. Accordingly, TPR is organising an industry working group, including key stakeholders and major occupational pension schemes, and is set to deliver its findings to the DWP later in 2025.

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