Reduce minimum retirement age for ambulance staff to 55

Review the status of ambulance workers particularly paramedics, who work long shifts including night shifts. Look to reduce the minimum retirement age to 55 years of age, in line with police force and fire service.

We think this would recognise the full working life of ambulance staff, and allow them to retire with dignity rather than continuing on into their 60s. We think the physical and cognitive nature of the job means it is very difficult to do at an advanced age. With a lower minimum retirement age we think it could create room for a younger workforce who may be more efficient and effective, capable of making better decisions and thus quality to the service users.

We think this would also make the ambulance service a more attractive career proposition.

The minimum retirement age in the NHS Pension Scheme, including for ambulance staff, is between 50 and 55 depending on when the member joined the NHS Pension Scheme. For members who joined the scheme after 3 November 2021, the minimum retirement age will rise to 57 in 2028.

There is a common misconception that NHS staff must work to normal pension age to receive a good pension. The generosity and flexibilities of the NHS Pension Scheme mean members can retire earlier than their normal pension age, with an actuarial reduction. This means that the member will receive their pension from a younger age, so will receive a lower pension for a longer period of time. Even with an actuarial reduction, NHS Pension Scheme benefits can provide for a comfortable retirement. For instance, a paramedic who joins the NHS now at 25 and sees minimal career progression could retire as early as 62 with a pension equivalent to just over half of their pay.

Since 2015, the NHS Pension Scheme has also offered Early Retirement Reduction Buy Out (ERRBO) where members can pay additional pension contributions during their working life in order to retire up to three years earlier than normal pension age in the 2015 NHS Pension Scheme without a financial reduction to their retirement benefits. Subject to employer agreement, ambulance staff can share ERRBO costs with their employer.

Where members are unable to continue within their role until normal pension age because of illness, then ill-health retirement is available at any age. Finally, since 2023, partial retirement has been introduced across the NHS Pension Scheme membership. This allows staff to receive their pension benefits while also continuing to work and build up further pension.