Explanatory note

These regulations amend the National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 1995 (the Regulations) by bringing NHS general practitioners within the definition of an “employing authority” and thereby enabling persons employed by them to join the NHS Pension Scheme for England and Wales (though periods of non-NHS work will not count as pensionable service).

Regulation E3 (entitlement to early retirement pension in situations such as redundancy), and regulation E4 (entitlement to early retirement pension with the employer’s consent after a member has reached age 50) of the Regulations are disapplied to persons employed by NHS general practitioners.

Paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations is amended to provide scheme membership for unapproved assistant practitioners and assistant practitioners who are participating in the Doctors' Retainer Scheme.

In addition regulation R5(4) is amended to provide that the Secretary of State shall determine what constitutes single comparable whole-time employment.

These regulations do not impose any costs on business.