BMA: Increasing retirement age ‘unacceptable’ for NHS staff

Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of council at the British Medical Association (BMA), commented on Lord Hutton’s report into public sector pensions:

“An increase to the retirement age for NHS staff would be unacceptable. Doctors in their late 20s who had expected to retire at 60 could now have to work to the state retirement age of 68.

“Such a sudden leap is particularly unfair given that NHS staff signed up to a significantly revised pension scheme only three years ago.

“Working with colleagues in health and other public services we will study the proposals in detail and will be seeking urgent talks with NHS employers and the government on any further changes to the NHS pension.”