Nurses: Pensions

Mr. Andrew Turner
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of retired nurses have had their pension payments (a) reduced and (b) increased in the last 12 months; and for what reason in each case.

Ann Keen
The information requested is not available centrally. NHS Pensions holds individual membership records to enable the actual calculation of pension benefits to take place and to support periodical actuarial investigations by the scheme actuary. Pension benefits may change for a variety of reasons such as pensions increase review, re-employment, abatement, or the adjustment of the guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) element. It is not possible to specifically identify subsequent reductions or increases to pension benefits or the reason for each change. With reference to reductions in pension payments for all NHS Pensioners in relation to GMP, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 31 March 2009, Official Report, column 1107W.