National Health Service Pension Scheme (NHSPS)

Who can join the NHS Pension Scheme?

University employees will be auto-enrolled in to the National Health Service Pension Scheme (NHSPS) where the following criteria is met:

• They have been appointed in to a Clinical post, e.g. Clinical Academic or Clinical Researcher with an Honorary NHS Contract, including Research Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (e.g. Clinical Psychologists)
• They have contributed to the NHSPS within 12 months of commencing an eligible post with the University of Cambridge

Those who do not meet the above criteria will be auto-enrolled in to the appropriate Universtiy pension scheme, for example the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

What sort of Scheme is the NHSPS

The National Health Service Pension Scheme is a defined-benefit, Occupational pension scheme. Broadly similar to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) in so far as pension entitlement is based on benefit accrual rate, membership and pay, there are different sections of the scheme with different benefit structures.

Where can I find Scheme information?

For all scheme queries, please visit the NHS Pensions website.

Alternatively, please contact our office at pensionsonline@admin.cam.ac.uk if you have any specific questions about your NHSPS membership relating to your post. Should your post be eligible for auto-enrolment in to the NHSPS, you will receive the relevant documentation to complete at the point of application. 

Is the NHSPS administered by the University?

No, the University only acts as a Participating Employer. Only certain Clinical roles within the University are eligible for auto-enrolment in to NHSPS, therefore the University is duty-bound to enrol eligible individuals in to the scheme. However, the scheme itself is administered centrally from:

NHS Pensions

PO Box 683

Unit 5

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE5 9EE

Member Helpline: 0300 3301 346

Direct message on Twitter: @nhs_pensions

Please note that eligible members of the NHS Pensions Scheme are able to continue to contribute to that scheme during their employment with the University of Cambridge under a “direction” from the NHS Pensions Agency, provided they are in a clinical post with the University and provided there is no more than a year’s gap in contributions to that Scheme.  However, you should note that employees of “Directions” employers are not covered under the NHS Injury Benefits scheme.