Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information:

1. The number of GPs in the 2015 NHS Pensions Scheme who have died since the scheme began
2. How many of those members received Death in Service benefits
3. How many of those members did not receive Death in Service benefits
4. How many of the members not receiving Death in Service benefits had their contribution tier based on annualised earnings
5. How many who did not receive Death in Service benefits were GP locums?

Your request was received on 8 March 2024 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Response

Question 1

The number of General Practitioners (GPs) with service in the 2015 scheme who have died is 148.

Question 2

Of the 148 deceased members, 73 received ‘Death in Service’ benefits.

Question 3

Of the 148 deceased members, 75 did not receive ‘Death in Service’ benefits.

Question 4

The number of the members not receiving Death in Service benefits who had their contribution tier based on annualised earnings is 47.

Question 5

Of the 75 GPs who did not receive ‘Death in Service’ benefits, 23 had service defined as ‘Locum’ service.

Caveats/Comments:

Only medical GP’s (including Ophthalmic) are assessed; General Dental Practitioners are excluded.

The members must have some service in the 2015 scheme; this does not preclude them from having previous accrued service in the 1995/2008 scheme.

‘Death in Service’ identified by the members active employment being closed with a reason of ‘Death’. Those who have not died in service will be either ‘Death on Pension’ or ‘Death on Deferment’.

A member having ‘Locum’ service does not preclude them from having other practitioner service – i.e. they may have substantial ‘Principle Practitioner’ service, and have a few instances of ‘Locum’ service

Definitions:

General Practitioner

An employment marked as having capacity code 03 (Medical Staff) or 10 (Ophthalmic Practitioner), and Employment Type 5 (Principal Practitioner), 6 (Assistant Practitioner) or 9 (GP Locum/ Locum Practitioner)

Death in Service

A member who dies while actively contributing to the pension scheme in an ongoing employment.

Data Queries

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