Is the new NHS pension scheme shariah compliant ?

Fatawa Question

The CARE (career average revalued earnings) is a type of defined benefit pension scheme. A defined benefit scheme guarantees a certain level of benefit at retirement, according to a fixed formula. In this respect it is similar to the current final salary sections of the NHS Pension Scheme. In a CARE scheme your pension is based on your pensionable pay right across your career. The pension you earn each year is based on pensionable pay in that year and is increased by a set revaluation rate, linked to inflation, for each year up to retirement or leaving. The final pension is calculated by adding together the pension earned in each year of membership. This came out in April, 2015. Basically, Each year you will earn a pension equal to 1 / 54 of your pensionable pay. So long as you are still paying into the scheme this will be revalued every year in line with increases to the consumer prices Index plus 1.5 %. What you pay monthly is variable dependent upon your annual salary (between 5.2-14.7 %). Can I opt for such pension ?

Fatwa

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Publisher

al-Qalam Shariah Scholar Panel

Publication Date

2016-04-25

Country of Publication

United Kingdom

Main Subjects

Economics & Business Administration
Financial and Accounting Sciences
Islamic Studies

Topics

• Islamic jurisprudence
• Pensions
• Dues

No. of Pages

1

Data Type

Fatawa

Language

English

Record ID

BIM-727078

• APA
• MLA
• AMA