The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Entitlement to ill-health pension

89.—(1) An active member (M) is entitled to immediate payment of—

(a) an ill-health pension at Lower Tier (a Lower Tier IHP) if the Lower Tier conditions are satisfied in relation to M;

(b) an ill-health pension at Upper Tier (an Upper Tier IHP) if the Upper Tier conditions are satisfied in relation to M.

(2) The Lower Tier conditions are that—

(a) M has not attained normal pension age;

(b) M has ceased to be employed in NHS employment;

(c) the Scheme Manager is satisfied that M suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which M is permanently incapable of efficiently discharging the duties of M’s employment;

(d) M’s employment is terminated because of the physical or mental infirmity; and

(e) M claims payment of the pension.

(3) The Upper Tier conditions are that—

(a) the Lower Tier conditions are satisfied in relation to M; and

(b) the scheme manager is also satisfied that M suffers from physical or mental infirmity as a result of which M is permanently incapable of engaging in regular employment of like duration.

(4) M is not entitled to payment of a pension under this regulation if M’s NHS employment is terminated because—

(a) M is dismissed (unless the scheme manager is satisfied that the dismissal was because of M’s infirmity);

(b) M retires or resigns at a time when—

(i) M is subject to disciplinary proceedings; or

(ii) had been notified that such proceedings were being contemplated; or

(c) M otherwise retires or resigns, unless—

(i) at the time of doing so M’s employing authority has notified the scheme manager in writing that M’s physical or mental infirmity is the reason for the termination; and

(ii) the scheme manager is satisfied that is the case.

(5) In paragraph (3)(b), “regular employment of like duration” means—

(a) in the case of a practitioner or non-GP provider, such employment as the scheme manager considers would involve a similar level of engagement to M’s current pensionable service as a practitioner or non-GP provider;

(b) in any other case, where prior to ceasing NHS employment M was employed—

(i) on a whole-time basis, regular employment on a whole time basis;

(ii) on a part-time basis, regular employment on a part-time basis, regard being had to the number of hours, half days and sessions the M worked in the employment.

(6) A pension under this regulation is payable for life: but see regulations 94 and 95.