GPs' pension contributions will increase 142% by 2014, predicts the BMA in its official response to the Government's proposals on reforming the NHS Pension Scheme published today.
The response rejects the Government's line that increased pension contributions are necessary, giving the example that a junior doctor aged 25 today who qualifies as a consultant in the future, would pay almost £200,000 in additional contributions under the Government's plans.
The report says: 'The BMA rejects entirely the Government's suggestion that contributions need to increase by up to 6% for some members by 2014.'
'Our members have seen their contributions increase by up to 42% in 2008 and will see them increase again by up to a further 71% over the next three years. This would mean that the employee contribution to the NHS Pension Scheme would have increased by 142% in the six years since 2008.'
BMA chair Dr Hamish Meldrum, said an overhaul of the NHS Pension Scheme 'completely unnecessary' and revealed that thousands of doctors had responded directly to the Government's consultation.
Dr Meldrum said: ‘We acknowledge the financial difficulties that the Government is facing, but it is totally unreasonable to expect NHS staff, who are already subject to pay freezes and potential redundancies, to take a further, substantial hit.'
