To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) current, (b) retired and (c) deferred members of the NHS pension scheme (i) were members prior to 1 April 2008 and (ii) have joined the scheme since 1 April 2008. (300686)

As at 31 March 2008 there were 1,336,576 active members, 411,458 deferred members and 583,705 retired members of the NHS Pension Scheme.

In the year from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009, there were a total of 155,100 new entrants to the Scheme. These comprised new members, deferred members who rejoined and members who transferred in from other pension schemes. Retired members of the 1995 section of the scheme are unable to rejoin after retirement. It is not possible to give a breakdown of the joiners into new members, deferred members who rejoined and transfers in.

Source:

NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensation for Premature Retirement Scheme Resource Accounts 2007-08 and 2008-09 in.