NHS Pensions have started sending RSS (choice letters) to NHS Pension Scheme members who have claimed benefits from any part of the NHS pension scheme and are affected by the public service pensions remedy (McCloud).
What Are Remediable Service Statements (RSS)?
RSS letters are being sent to retired NHS Pension Scheme members who were affected by the McCloud judgment, which found age discrimination in the 2015 public service pension reforms.
These letters:
- Offer a choice between receiving pension benefits from the 1995/2008 Scheme or the 2015 Scheme for service between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 (the “remedy period”).
- Include a personalised decision guide with two tables showing benefit comparisons.
- Provide links to additional support, including videos and guidance on the NHSBSA website.
When Will Members Receive their Letter?
NHS Pensions are writing to retired members, prioritising those who are most at risk of financial detriment and any members not yet retired will be scheduled later.
If you retired by 1October 2023 with unprotected or taper protected benefits in the 1995/2008 Scheme you will receive a letter by 1 July 2025. Those who also retired on the same basis and took 2015 Scheme benefits will receive a letter by 1st October 2025
Any member retired by 1 October 2023, formally protected with benefits in payment for the remedy period 2015 through to 2022 will have to wait until 1 December 2026 to receive a letter. The same date applies for members who have retired between 1 October 2023 and 1 July 2025.
Members have 12 months from the date of their letter to make a choice. If no response is received, the default will be to revise benefits to the 1995/2008 Scheme for the remedy period.
Need Help Deciding?
- At first sight the choice may look straightforward however there are several factors you need to consider before making your decision.
- The impact on your personal circumstances, needs and financial objectives
- The impact on your pension if taking an increased lump sum
- The impact of early or late retirement factors on your NHS pension
- The impact of inflation on your retirement income
- The tax implications of your pension alongside other earned or pension income
- Death benefit considerations
- If you are in any doubt consult a Chase de Vere independent Financial Adviser
- Those with complex circumstances are very likely to need to gain advice and will to consult a Chase de Vere Independent Financial Adviser.
- The good news is that some of the costs of being provided with advice can be claimed back up to the value of £500. Members can apply to reclaim independent financial adviser (IFA) costs through the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme. This should ensure that the right decision is made as making the wrong decisions could potentially cost you thousands of pounds.
Information about the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme, including details of the types of costs that can and cannot be claimed back, are available on The NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme webpage. Alternatively speak with your Chase de Vere financial adviser for advice.
Remediable service statements: what you need to know – and why it matters
If you’ve recently received a letter from NHS Pensions about something called a remediable service statement (RSS), you’re not alone – and it’s worth paying attention to. This letter is more than just another pension update. It’s about giving you a choice that could significantly affect your retirement income.
Let’s unpack what it means, when you can expect yours, and why seeking advice could be crucial.
What is a remediable service statement (RSS)?
An RSS is a formal letter being sent to NHS Pension Scheme members who have already retired and were affected by the McCloud judgment.
In simple terms, the McCloud judgment found that the 2015 changes to public service pensions – including the NHS Pension Scheme – discriminated against members based on age. To put things right, you’re now being given a choice about how part of your pension is calculated.
If you’re affected, your RSS will:
- Offer you a choice between receiving pension benefits under the 1995/2008 scheme or the 2015 scheme for the service period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 (known as the remedy period)
- Include a personalised decision guide, with two tables comparing your pension benefits under each scheme
- Provide links to useful videos and further guidance via the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website
When will you receive your RSS letter?
NHS Pensions is prioritising letters based on members’ circumstances, focusing first on those most at risk of financial detriment.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of when you can expect to receive your RSS:
- If you retired by 1 October 2023 with unprotected or taper-protected benefits in the 1995/2008 scheme, you will receive your letter by 1 July 2025
- If you retired by 1 October 2023 and took 2015 scheme benefits, you will receive your letter by 1 October 2025
- If you retired by 1 October 2023 and were fully protected, or if you retire between 1 October 2023 and 1 July 2025, you will receive your letter by 1 December 2026
Once your letter arrives, you’ll have 12 months to make your choice. If you don’t respond, your benefits will default to the 1995/2008 scheme for the remedy period.
Why this choice isn’t always straightforward
At first glance, the right option might seem obvious – but there are many personal and financial factors to weigh up before deciding. The wrong choice could cost you thousands over the course of your retirement.
Here are just a few things to consider:
- How much lump sum you want to take – and how it impacts your pension
- How early or late retirement factors affect your benefits
- How inflation might erode your retirement income
- The tax impact of your pension, especially if you have other income
- What happens to your death benefits
- Your wider financial goals and needs
Need help deciding? You’re not alone
This is a once-only decision – and getting it right is vital. That’s why speaking to a qualified independent financial adviser (IFA), like those at Chase de Vere, can make a real difference.
Better still, you can claim back up to £500 of the advice cost through the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme. That means you get expert, personalised advice – and help covering the cost of it too.
For more information about claiming back advice fees, visit the NHS Cost Claim Back Scheme page – or speak directly with your Chase de Vere adviser.
Final thought
Your RSS letter gives you the chance to make a choice that reflects what’s best for you – but it’s also a choice that deserves careful thought. If you’re unsure, don’t go it alone.
At Chase de Vere, our independent financial advisers are here to help you make the right decision – with confidence.
The information contained within this article is for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.
Content correct at time of writing.