Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is 2015 Remedy (McCloud)?

In 2015 the government introduced reforms to public service pensions. Most civil servants were moved into a new scheme called ‘alpha’. In 2018, the Court of Appeal found some of the rules put in place in 2015 to protect older workers, by allowing them to remain in their original scheme, were discriminatory on the basis of age. More information can be found here: 2015 Remedy (McCloud) - Civil Service Pension Scheme

General FAQs

I am retired and have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). Why do I need to make a choice about my pension benefits?

As part of the 2015 Remedy (McCloud), we want to ensure in-scope Immediate Choice members have a choice on the pension benefits received for service within the Remedy Period (1 April 2015 – 31 March 2022).

Your choice is between:

• Legacy PCSPS(NI) Benefits in the Remedy Period and alpha Benefits from 01/04/2022 (If applicable)

  or

• Legacy PCSPS(NI) Benefits up to 31/03/2015, alpha Benefits in the Remedy Period and alpha Benefits from 01/04/2022 (if applicable)

Your Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS), which includes additional supporting information, will help you decide.

I am retired, what is the timescale for me to make my choice to take my pension benefits?

We must receive confirmation of your choice within 12 months of the date on the letter sent to you, but we encourage you to make your choice as soon as you’re ready. This will allow us to make any necessary changes to your pension benefits.

You will not be able to change your choice once you have returned it.

I am retired, how do I tell you my pension benefits choice?

All the details about the pension benefits choice process, can be found in the Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) you will receive.  You must sign and date the 2015 Remedy (McCloud) – Immediate Choice Option Form and return the form to the postal address (or email address if sending electronically) at the top of the letter. Please note if you wish to send your form electronically a copy of photographic ID and confirmation of your address will be required.

We also recommend you make a note of your decision on your Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement for your records.

I have missed the 12-month deadline to make my pension benefit Immediate Choice, what happens now?

You will have received a reminder, but if you have not responded within the required 12 months, then the choice will either default to the benefits currently in payment or if you are a tapered member, the scheme manager will make the decision on your behalf.

What happens if my Immediate Choice selection results in me being owed money?

If your Immediate Choice results in monies being owed to you, we will send you written confirmation accordingly. We anticipate that we will be in a position to start processing choices received for alternative benefits in the autumn of 2025. 

I am retired, when will I receive my Remediable Service Statement (RSS)?

Civil Service Pensions has commenced issuing Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statements (RSS) to members impacted by 2015 Remedy. Various factors make these pension calculations more complex, and therefore we expect the exercise to take some considerable time. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Regular updates on progress will be posted to the CSP(NI) website.

I am a retired member, why have I not received a Remediable Service Statement (RSS)?

Various factors make these pension calculations more complex,  and therefore we expect the exercise to take some considerable time. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Regular updates on progress will be posted to the CSP(NI) website     

Please note, in cases where members have more complex records, the scheme does have discretion to extend timeframes. 

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). Can I change my option if I have already returned my choice?

No, you are unable to change your choice once you have returned it.

I have received my Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). How do I request an option if I wish to choose a different lump sum value?

You may choose a different Lump Sum amount to those provided within your RSS illustration pack, subject to the maximum shown. A Lump Sum calculator is available on the CSP(NI) website at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/nics-pension-schemes-member-calculators.

If you wish to take a different amount of Lump Sum, please contact us, before you make your choice.

I have returned my Immediate Choice Option Form, what is the timescale for implementing this?

We aim to start processing members' decisions in the autumn of 2025. 

I received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). If I do not wish to change my option, do I still need to return the form?

If you do not return the form your option will default to the benefits currently in payment. If you are a tapered member, the scheme manager will make the decision on your behalf. Our preference is that you complete and return your Immediate Choice Option Form.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and I have a separate deferred award, how is this impacted?

Deferred benefits may be claimed using the normal retirement claim process separate to your Remedy Period choice. Further information for deferred members is available on the CSP(NI) website at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/deferred-members-frequently-asked-questions-faqs. 

I was under age 55 at retirement date, does this affect my Immediate Choice?  

alpha scheme benefits have a minimum pension age of 55, however the minimum pension age in PCSPS(NI) is 50 for those members who joined before 6 April 2006. The benefits shown reflect what benefits were available to you at your retirement date. If under minimum scheme pension age, your benefits would have been deferred at original retirement date.

I have lost/misplaced my Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) how do I obtain another copy?

On receipt of notification that you have lost or misplaced your Immediate Choice RSS we will arrange to re-issue your RSS to you.

Where can I find out more about Immediate Choice?

We have included all key information, and additional supporting information in your Immediate Choice pack. A dedicated mailbox address has also been provided in your RSS pack should you have any further queries. 

More information is also available on the Second Phase of 2015 Remedy section of the CSP(NI) website. 

Statements

How were the figures calculated on my Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS)?

We have calculated your Immediate Choice RSS options based on the data we hold.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). What happens if I choose an option where I will have been overpaid? How do you collect the overpaid amount?

Where your choice results in you owing monies to the scheme, we will contact you by post or email to outline how this can be repaid and provide details of our overpayment recovery process.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and have a Widows Pension Scheme (WPS) Liability, how does this impact me?

Your benefit options include a deduction for unpaid WPS contributions.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and have a Widows Pension Scheme (WPS) Refund (and Premium Deduction) at Retirement, how might I be impacted?

The refund of any WPS contributions (plus interest) has been factored into the lump sum of both options presented where relevant. This amount is net of any premium deduction due to the scheme.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and have Injury Benefits; how might I be impacted?

Choosing the alternative option may result in a revision of your current injury benefit amount as indicated in the benefit choices section. Once your choice has been processed your Injury Benefits will be reviewed and any necessary changes will be implemented.

Injury benefit amounts are tax-free, and this should be taken into consideration when making your choice.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS), how is interest calculated?

Any interest in pension payment differences owed to the scheme has been calculated as daily compound interest, in line with the NS&I Equivalent Savings Rate, based on the net amount due.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and the choice I have made results in a pension difference. What happens in this situation?

Where your choice results in arrears of pension being due to you, the figures quoted are the gross value. Pension arrears are classed as income and are subject to tax using the current tax code we hold. 

The interest on pension arrears is treated as savings income and is paid to you without tax deductions*. If you think you have tax to pay, you must notify HMRC: HM Revenue & Customs - GOV.UK.

Further information about tax on Savings interest can be found at: www.gov.uk/apply-tax-free-interest-on-savings.

Where your choice results in pension owed to the scheme, the figures quoted are the net amount due and assumes a basic rate tax deduction of 20% for most members. If you choose an option where money is owed to the scheme, figures may need to be revised to reflect your correct marginal rate of tax.

* If you live outside the United Kingdom, we must deduct tax at source at the basic rate.

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and have a lump sum difference, what happens in this situation?

Where your choice results in an additional pension lump sum being due to you, provided the total of both the lump sum and interest does not exceed the maximum lump sum limit and is paid as a single payment, then it will not be subject to tax. Where the total exceeds the maximum limit, then the excess is treated as savings income and is paid to you without any deductions *.

If you think you have tax to pay, you must notify HMRC: HM Revenue & Customs - GOV.UK.

Further information about tax on Savings interest can be found at: www.gov.uk/apply-tax-free-interest-on-savings.

Where the interest is paid as a separate payment to the top-up lump sum, it is treated in the same way as interest paid on pension arrears, i.e. as savings income.

* If you live outside the United Kingdom, we must deduct tax at source at the basic rate. 

What are Contingent Decisions, and how does this impact my Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS)?

A Contingent Decision is a decision you made about your Civil Service Pension, which would have been different had it not been for the discrimination identified by the courts.

The decision will be related to your pension during the Remedy Period - 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022.

If you have made or are planning to make an application for a Contingent Decision, then you should not make your choice until that is resolved. 

Tax

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS). If I choose a different option than is already in payment, what happens with Tax, could I be due a tax rebate?

Please review your Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and Immediate Choice supporting information documents for further information.

Tapered into Remedy

If I was tapered at retirement how does the Immediate Choice option work for me? 

As a tapered member, your benefits in payment are no longer compliant with Remedy legislation, you will therefore be required to make an option. If you do not return the option form, the scheme manager will make the decision on your behalf.

Advice

Can Civil Service Pensions give me advice on my Immediate Choice?

We cannot provide you with any financial advice as to which is your best option. If you require further assistance with this, we suggest you seek advice from an independent financial advisor. MoneyHelper, who are backed by government, have a useful tool for locating an FCA regulated Financial Advisor in your area. The tool is on their website under “Pensions & retirement", “Find a retirement adviser” at www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en.

Partially Retired

I took Partial Retirement before 31/03/2015, continued working and have subsequently taken my Final Retirement benefits after 01/04/2015. How is my Immediate Choice (IC) RSS impacted? 

Your IC RSS will only show you options in relation to the benefits you have built up after your original Partial Retirement award.

The 2015 Remedy (McCloud) legislative change affects benefits within the period 01/04/2015 to 31/03/2022.  As your Partial Retirement was put into payment before 01/04/2015 it is unaffected by this change and your IC RSS will only show you options relating to benefits you’ve built up after this date.

Please be assured that your original Partial Retirement benefits will be unaffected by your option and will remain in payment.

Ill-Health Retired

I am an ill-health member; how does the Immediate Choice option impact me? 

Members who had an application for ill-health retirement between 1st April 2015 and 31st March 2022 will have their case reviewed. A medical reassessment may be required to understand whether any ill-health retirement application under the existing pension scheme, would have been eligible for ill-health benefits under their alternative pension scheme. 

Where a member also qualifies for ill-health in their alternative scheme, their Immediate Choice options will show ill-health retirement benefits for both PCSPS(NI) and alpha.

If a member does not qualify for ill-health retirement or their alternative scheme cannot be reassessed, this does not affect the original ill-health application decision. Their Immediate Choice options will show a comparison between the option with ill-health retirement benefits and the alternative option with non-ill-health retirement benefits.

My pension in payment was paid out on alpha during the Remedy period on ill-health grounds, will an enhancement be added to my Alternative Benefits for Legacy Service?

If you would have been eligible for an ill-health enhancement had your benefits been paid out originally under a PCSPS(NI) setting for the Remedy Period, we can confirm that any enhancement due to service for ill-health will be added to your alternative benefits on your Immediate Choice Statement.

Dependant Pensions

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS), how are dependants impacted by this?

The calculated value of annual benefits for your dependants shown reflects the marital status information held on your record at the time the RSS was produced.

The calculated value of annual benefits for your dependants shown reflects the marital status information held on your record at the time the RSS was produced.

Classic survivor pensions are only payable to your spouse or civil partner. However, under Classic Plus, Premium, Nuvos and alpha, an adult dependant’s pension can also be paid to a partner. A partner is someone to whom you are not married or in a civil partnership with, but who you are living with in a long-term relationship, would be eligible to marry (i.e. the partner if previously married must be divorced/widowed) and who is financially dependent on you, or you are both financially interdependent.

Abatement

I have received an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) and have a pension that has previously been/is currently abated, how does this impact me?

Where your benefits are or have been subject to abatement, and/or they would be under the alternative option, this has been reflected in the benefit amounts presented in the “your benefit choices” section of the RSS.