FOI-03231

Thank you for your request for information about the following:

##Request##

<i><b>PART 1 - Pension Agency Circulars</b>
 
NHS Added Years administration guidance (1995 Section)<br>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. Copies of Pension Agency Circulars (PACs), internal manuals, or guidance issued <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;"> between 2000 and 2015 relating to administration of Added Years contracts in the NHS Pension Scheme (1995 Section), specifically:</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2.5em;">a. Handling of missed or late Added Years deductions and arrears (employee <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;"> and employer);</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2.5em;">b. Break in membership rules (e.g. the 12-month rule) affecting Added Years  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">contracts;</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2.5em;">c. Termination of Added Years contracts when contributions stop, and any  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">exceptions;</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2.5em;">d. Employer instructions on SD502 opt-outs and auto-enrolment.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. Any later guidance (2016–present) that superseded or clarified the above.</span>
For each document, please provide: title, date, version number, and intended circulation.
 
<b>PART 2 – Added Years</b>
 
<b>Part A – Added Years Terminations by Reason</b>
 
For each of the scheme years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The total number of Added Years contracts terminated in each year.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. A breakdown of the reasons for termination, e.g.:</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">1. “Nil contributions / zero pensionable earnings”</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">2. “Formal opt-out (SD502 received)”</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">3. “Other (please specify)”</span>
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. Any available guidance or policy documents provided to  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">administrators/employers on how Added Years contracts should be treated where contributions are missing or service is later credited.</span></span>
 
<b>Part B – Added Years Reinstatements / Appeals</b>
 
For each of the scheme years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The number of appeals or complaints received in relation to the termination of  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">an Added Years contract.</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. Of those, how many resulted in the reinstatement of the contract.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. The average time taken between termination and reinstatement.</span>
 
<b>Part C – Locum A Form Processing (PCNs / AVS Roles)</b>
 
For 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The total number of Locum A forms submitted by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. Of those, how many were accepted and pensioned.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. How many were rejected or marked as non-pensionable.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">4. Whether NHSBSA or PCSE hold any guidance issued to PCNs or practitioners on  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">how Locum A income should be treated.</span></span>
I would prefer to receive the information in electronic format (Excel or CSV for data tables; PDF for guidance documents).
 
<b>PART 3 – NHS Pension Scheme (SD502 opt-outs & PCN Locum A rejections)</b>
 
I am seeking the following information:
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. NWAS / ELFS SD502 opt-outs</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1.5em;">• The number of SD502 opt-out forms recorded in NHSBSA’s pension <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">administration system for employees of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), processed via ELFS payroll, between December 2021 and September 2024.</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1.5em;">• Please break this down by scheme year if available, and confirm if the figure is <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">nil (i.e. no SD502 forms recorded).</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. PCN Locum A rejections</span>
For 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• The total number of Locum A forms submitted by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Of those, how many were accepted and pensioned.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• How many were rejected or marked as non-pensionable.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Whether NHSBSA or PCSE hold any guidance issued to PCNs or 
practitioners on  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">how Locum A income should be treated.</span></span>
 
<b>PART 4 – Scheme Designations and contributions</b>
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) number allocated to South  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Sefton Primary Care Network (PCN), if one exists.</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. If South Sefton PCN does not have its own SD number, please confirm which  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">employing authority (e.g. GP practice, Trust, or host organisation) has been designated to act as the employing authority for NHS Pension purposes on its behalf.</span><span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. Whether NHSBSA has received any pension contribution remittances under this  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">SD number (or associated host employer SD number) from October 2023 to September 2025, covering staff employed within South Sefton PCN.</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">4. The NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) number allocated to  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Blundellsands Surgery, who act as host practice and paymaster for South Sefton PCN Respiratory Hub sessions.</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">5. Whether NHSBSA has received any pension contribution remittances under this  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">SD number from October 2023 onwards.</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">6. A list of all current NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) numbers and  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">employing authority names for Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and/or their host practices in Cheshire & Merseyside ICB.</span></span>
 
<b>PART 5 – Complaints</b>
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The number of complaints logged by NHSBSA from April 2020 to September  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2025 relating to PCN staff pension contributions (including GPs, paramedics, ACPs, ANPs, pharmacists, or other ARRS roles).</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. If available, please break this down by staff category.</span></i>

[On 4 October 2025 we sent you the following clarification request]

<i><b>PART 1 - Pension Agency Circular</b>

<b>Q1 - Copies of Pension Agency Circulars (PACs) –</b> 

Please could you clarify what this is referring to?

<b>Part 2 – Added Years</b>

Do you want us to distinguish if contracts have been terminated early, or terminated because they reached the natural contract end date?

<b>PART 3 – NHS Pension Scheme (SD502 opt-outs & PCN Locum A rejections)</b>

<b>Questions 1 and 2</b>

Please could you clarify for both of these questions whether they are specific to Locums or is it in relation to all employees of the organisations listed?</i>

[On 24 October 2025 you clarified the following]

<i>•  “Pension Agency Circulars (PACs)” – I am referring to NHS Pensions / NHSBSA  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">circulars, bulletins or guidance notes issued between 2000 and 2015 concerning administration of Added Years contracts in the 1995 Section, and any later guidance that replaced them.</span>

•  Added Years terminations – please distinguish between (a) contracts ended early  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">(e.g. for “nil contributions” or “opt-out”) and (b) contracts that reached their natural end date.</span>

•  SD502 opt-outs / PCN Locum A rejections – please include all employees in scope of  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">the organisations listed, not only locums.</span></i>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 2 October 2025, with clarification received on 24 October 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). 

##Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds some of the information you have requested.

<b>PART 1 - Pension Agency Circulars
 
NHS Added Years administration guidance (1995 Section)

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. Copies of Pension Agency Circulars (PACs), internal manuals, or guidance issued  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">between 2000 and 2015 relating to administration of Added Years contracts in the NHS Pension Scheme (1995 Section), specifically:</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">a. Handling of missed or late Added Years deductions and arrears (employee and  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">employer);</span></span></b>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">Please see the attached documents, specifically:</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">• Increasing your benefits booklet 2004 - page 16</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">• Increasing Your Benefits Booklet historical – page 8, </span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">• Increasing pension benefits technical guide-20241223-(V4) - page 103. </span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;"><b>b. Break in membership rules (e.g. the 12-month rule) affecting Added Years  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">contracts; </b></span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">Please see the attached booklets as well as the reverse side of the AB54 for details regarding 12-month breaks</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;"><b>c. Termination of Added Years contracts when contributions stop, and any  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">exceptions;</span></span></b>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">The requested information is not held by the NHSBSA.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">However, please refer to page 107 of the attached Increasing pension benefits technical guide-20241223-(V4). This includes relevant information in relation to what happens if the full amount of intended contributions have not been made, which may help you. </span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">If a member wanted to stop paying instalments, they would need to contact us by emailing <a href="mailto: apavcreferrals@nhsbsa.nhs.uk">apavcreferrals@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a> and ask for the added years contract to be terminated. The added years contract would stop, and they will be credited with the proportion of the added years that they have paid for.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;"><b>d. Employer instructions on SD502 opt-outs and auto-enrolment. –</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">Please see the following links which are available on our website, on the Employer Hub:</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">•:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/employer-hub/technical-guidance/options-leaving-scheme</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">•:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/employer-hub/technical-guidance/joiners</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 2em;">Please be advised that if a member opted out of the scheme all contributions would stop which would include the AVCs.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;"><b>2. Any later guidance (2016–present) that superseded or clarified the above.</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">The NHSBSA does not hold any additional information other than the documents attached. </span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Additional documentation and information is available from the National Archives website - https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/timeline/http:/www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Pensions.aspx</span>

<b>For each document, please provide: title, date, version number, and intended circulation</b>

Where this is held by the NHSBSA, this information is included either in the title or the content of the documents provided. 
 
<b>PART 2 – Added Years
 
Part A – Added Years Terminations by Reason

For each of the scheme years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
1. The total number of Added Years contracts terminated in each year.</b>

<b>Part 2 (part B)</b>

Each AVC contract is counted individually (i.e., if a member may hold multiple contracts, they would be counted multiple times).

<b>2. A breakdown of the reasons for termination, e.g.:
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. “Nil contributions / zero pensionable earnings”</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. “Formal opt-out (SD502 received)”</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. “Other (please specify)”</b></span>

The NHSBSA does hold the requested information; however, we estimate that the cost of compliance with the request would exceed the appropriate limit under section 12 of the FOIA.  
 
We estimate that the cost of complying with your request would exceed the non-central Government limit of £450. The limit has been specified in The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 and represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours in determining whether the NHSBSA holds the information, and locating, retrieving, extracting and checking the information.   

The reason for termination is not recorded in an easily extractable format and would therefore require manually interrogating each record to determine the reason for early termination (for example whether the member proactively contacted us to end the contract or had a disqualifying break).   
  
We estimate that it would take approximately 10 minutes per case to manually interrogate each record. Therefore, for the 632 records this would take 105.3 hours.

Please be advised that due to the way that the information is held by the NHSBSA, it is not possible to submit a refined request under the appropriate limit. 
 
Please see the following link to view the section 12 in full - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/12  

<b>3. Any available guidance or policy documents provided to administrators/employers on how Added Years contracts should be treated where contributions are missing or service is later credited.</b>

Please find attached the following documents:

•	Increasing pension benefits technical guide – 20241223-v4

•	Added benefits – AVC calculation guide for retrospective application – 20210820- <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">(v1)</span>

<b>Part B – Added Years Reinstatements / Appeals
 
For each of the scheme years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The number of appeals or complaints received in relation to the termination of <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">an Added Years contract.</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. Of those, how many resulted in the reinstatement of the contract.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. The average time taken between termination and reinstatement.</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">The NHSBSA does hold the requested information; however, we estimate that the cost of compliance with the request would exceed the appropriate limit under section 12 of the FOIA. </span>
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">We estimate that the cost of complying with your request would exceed the non-central Government limit of £450. The limit has been specified in The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 and represents the estimated cost of one person spending 18 hours in determining whether the NHSBSA holds the information, and locating, retrieving, extracting and checking the information.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">The complaint root cause is not recorded in an easily extractable format and would therefore require manually interrogating each complaint to extract this information.</span>
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">We estimate that it would take approximately 10 minutes per case to manually interrogate each record. Therefore, for the 8,571 complaints and formal stage 1 complaints records this would take 1,428.5 hours.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">We are however able to provide the total number of complaints and formal stage 1 complaints cases for the years requested:</span>

<b>Part 3 (1)</b>

Please note that each complaint is counted and members may have multiple complaint in the same year.

Details regarding the complaints process can be found at the following link: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensioner-hub/contact-nhs-pensions-pensioners 

<b>Part C – Locum A Form Processing (PCNs / AVS Roles)
 
For 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The total number of Locum A forms submitted by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. Of those, how many were accepted and pensioned.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">3. How many were rejected or marked as non-pensionable.</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. </span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">The NHSBSA does not receive Locum A forms. These are submitted to PCSE who determine whether these are accepted or rejected. </span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">They can be contacted at: https://pcse.england.nhs.uk/contact-us</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;"><b>4. Whether NHSBSA or PCSE hold any guidance issued to PCNs or practitioners on  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">how Locum A income should be treated.</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">I would prefer to receive the information in electronic format (Excel or CSV for data tables; PDF for guidance documents).</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Please find attached the following documents:</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• 2025/26 Locum Form A and guidance  - NHS Pensions - GP Locum A 1 April 2025 to  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">31 March 2026 - 20250923 - (V3)</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• 2025/26 Locum Form B and guidance - NHS Pensions - GP locum B 1 April 2025 to  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">31 March 2026 - 20250923 - (V3)PCN NHS Pension Scheme Access document: Primary_Care_Networks_and_NHS_Pension_Scheme_Access_20240111-(V4)</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Information re Primary Care Networks in the GP Member Guide - GP Member  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Pension Guide-updated 22.11.2023 - v4</span></span>
 
<b>PART 3 – NHS Pension Scheme (SD502 opt-outs & PCN Locum A rejections)
 
I am seeking the following information:
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. NWAS / ELFS SD502 opt-outs</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• The number of SD502 opt-out forms recorded in NHSBSA’s pension  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">administration system for employees of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), processed via ELFS payroll, between December 2021 and September 2024.</span></span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Please break this down by scheme year if available, and confirm if the figure is  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">nil (i.e. no SD502 forms recorded).</b></span></span>

Please note that SD502 forms are submitted to and processed by the employer. The NHSBSA does not hold copies of these forms, therefore we are unable to provide information relating to the number of forms processed. 

We are however able to provide the following information about the number of members who have had an opt-out in the relevant scheme year. A member will be counted once in each year they have opted out (they may have opted out of multiple post or multiple times in the same year)

<b>Part 2 (part B)
 
2. PCN Locum A rejections

For 2023/24 and 2024/25 (to date):
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• The total number of Locum A forms submitted by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Of those, how many were accepted and pensioned.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• How many were rejected or marked as non-pensionable.</span>
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">• Whether NHSBSA or PCSE hold any guidance issued to PCNs or practitioners on  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">how Locum A income should be treated.</b></span></span>

Please see the response given above in Part 2, Part C

<b>PART 4 – Scheme Designations and contributions

Primary Care Networks</b>

Since July 2019, every Practice in England must be part of a PCN (Primary Care Networks). A typical PCN will comprise of several practices covering 30,000 to 50,000 patients. 

Although a practice is part of a PCN it retains its own identity as a GMS/PMS/APMS contractor.

Staff employed by a practice to undertake PCN work have access to the NHS Pension Scheme as Practice Staff, or as type 2 medical Practitioners if they are salaried GPs.  The GP Providers must pension the profitable element of their PCN income.     

Where a Federation is involved in a PCN the staff may have access to the NHS Pension Scheme under certain circumstances.

<b>1. The NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) number allocated to South Sefton Primary Care Network (PCN), if one exists.</b> 

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. 

Please be advised that unless they are set up a legal entity, PCNs do not have their own EA code. The PCN is simply a name that a group of practices are under. 

South Sefton PCN is not a legal entity and therefore does not have its own EA code.

<b>2. If South Sefton PCN does not have its own SD number, please confirm which employing authority (e.g. GP practice, Trust, or host organisation) has been designated to act as the employing authority for NHS Pension purposes on its behalf.</b>

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because the NHSBSA does not need to know which GP practice within each PCN is the host practice.

<b>3. Whether NHSBSA has received any pension contribution remittances under this SD number (or associated host employer SD number) from October 2023 to September 2025, covering staff employed within South Sefton PCN.</b>

Not applicable as South Sefton PCN does not have its own EA code. 

<b>4. The NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) number allocated to Blundellsands Surgery, who act as host practice and paymaster for South Sefton PCN Respiratory Hub sessions. </b>

This surgery is under the banner of South Sefton PCN but has its individual GMS contract. The EA code is H141 and only staff working on the GMS contract (i.e. employed by the practice) are eligible for membership under this EA code. GPs must pension via PCSE.   

<b>5. Whether NHSBSA has received any pension contribution remittances under this SD number from October 2023 onwards. </b>

Yes, contributions have been received under EA code H141.

<b>6. A list of all current NHS Pension Scheme SD (Scheme Designation) numbers and employing authority names for Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and/or their host practices in Cheshire & Merseyside ICB.</b>

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA as we do not hold PCN details. 

NHS Digital’s ODS Portal records all PCNs within Cheshire & Merseyside ICB and their Host practice (nominated Payee). However, this is not a list of EA codes relating to NHS pensions. See link below.
https://www.odsdatasearchandexport.nhs.uk/


<b>PART 5 – Complaints
 
<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">1. The number of complaints logged by NHSBSA from April 2020 to September  <span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2025 relating to PCN staff pension contributions (including GPs, paramedics, ACPs, ANPs, pharmacists, or other ARRS roles).</span></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">2. If available, please break this down by staff category.</b></span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because a member will be employed by an individual employer under a unique EA code. Additionally, staff pension contributions is not a category of complaint.</span>

<span style="display: block; padding-left: 1em;">Staff category is not held as we record complaints by capacity code not job title or role.</span>

##Data Queries

Please contact <a href=mailto:foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a> ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

##Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact  
<a href=mailto:communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ 

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.


Tags: NHS Pensions
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log