FOI-03092

Thank you for your request for information about the following:

##Request

<i>Please consider this a formal request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I am seeking the following information regarding the NHSBSA's processes and data concerning overpayment claims for NHS pensions.
 
Due Diligence and Process: Please provide a comprehensive overview of the due diligence procedures and working practices undertaken by the NHSBSA before an overpayment demand is issued to an NHS pension recipient. This should include:
 
A copy of any internal policies, procedures, or guidance documents related to the identification and verification of alleged overpayments.
 
An explicit statement on whether the NHSBSA is required to gather all relevant information and evidence pertaining to the cause of an alleged overpayment before issuing a formal demand for repayment.
 
Total Overpayments Requested: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of overpayments formally requested by the NHSBSA from NHS pension recipients during the most recent full financial year (April 1 to March 31)?
 
Overpayments Written Off: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of alleged overpayments written off by the NHSBSA during the most recent full financial year, regardless of when the overpayment was originally made?
 
Overpayment Reductions by the Pensions Ombudsman: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of reductions to claimed overpayments that were imposed on the NHSBSA by the Pensions Ombudsman during the most recent full financial year, regardless of when the overpayment was originally made?</i>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 16 August 2025

We requested clarification on the 28 August 2025:

<i>Therefore I would be grateful if you would clarify if the members needed to have been employed with the health board within a certain amount of time from the overpayment, or if they can have any previous service with them?</i>

You responded on 28 August 2025:

<i>To be precise, my request for information on total overpayments formally requested relates to all overpayment demands issued by the NHSBSA during the last full financial year, specifically concerning individuals who had service with or were retired from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. I am specifically interested in the figures for overpayment demands and decisions made during that financial year.

Furthermore, my request for information on overpayments written off and reductions imposed by the Pensions Ombudsman also relates to all such actions that took place during the last full financial year, regardless of when the overpayment originally occurred, and pertains only to cases involving Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

I hope this clarifies that the key period for my request is the most recent full financial year, as it relates to the actions taken by the NHSBSA (issuing demands, writing off debts, or having reductions imposed by the Ombudsman). I am not seeking information on overpayments that were made in excess of seven years ago.</i>

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).  

##Our response

<b>Question 1 - Due Diligence and Process: Please provide a comprehensive overview of the due diligence procedures and working practices undertaken by the NHSBSA before an overpayment demand is issued to an NHS pension recipient.</b>

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the NHSBSA does not hold due diligence procedures in relation to overpayment of NHS pensions.

<b>Question 2 - A copy of any internal policies, procedures, or guidance documents related to the identification and verification of alleged overpayments.</b>

Please find attached Overpayment Breakdown Process Guide.

<b>Question 3 - An explicit statement on whether the NHSBSA is required to gather all relevant information and evidence pertaining to the cause of an alleged overpayment before issuing a formal demand for repayment.</b>

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

<b>Question 4 - Total Overpayments Requested: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of overpayments formally requested by the NHSBSA from NHS pension recipients during the most recent full financial year (April 1 to March 31)?</b>

In the financial year 2024/25, we accounted for net overpayments totalling £325,329.11. This includes overpayments arising from revisions to member benefits, and any sums paid after death due to a delay in notifying NHS Pensions of a members passing.
 
<b>Question 5 - Overpayments Written Off: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of alleged overpayments written off by the NHSBSA during the most recent full financial year, regardless of when the overpayment was originally made?</b>
 
In the financial year 2024/25, we incurred total losses of £23,782.83. This includes overpayments arising from revisions to member benefits, and any sums paid after death due to a delay in notifying NHS Pensions of a members passing.

<b>Question 6 - Overpayment Reductions by the Pensions Ombudsman: What was the total value, in GBP (£), of reductions to claimed overpayments that were imposed on the NHSBSA by the Pensions Ombudsman during the most recent full financial year, regardless of when the overpayment was originally made?</b>

In the financial year 2024/25, No losses were incurred as a result of an Ombudsman Determination or Adjudicator Opinion.

Please note for the responses to questions 4-6 above, the data provided is for all members who have had any service with the specified employer, regardless of length.

##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 Pension Scheme, Overpayments
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log