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Important Updates

Below we’ve summarised some important changes to your benefits that will take effect from 1st January 2027. Please scroll down further for more detailed information and refer to the resources available inside your myChoice account.

  • Pension: With effect from 1st September 2026 the administrators of the Mercer Master Trust switched from Scottish Widows to Aviva. Contact details are shown on the Benefit Information pages.
  • Private Medical Scheme: AXA has expanded its treatment pathways to include neurology, urology and cardiology. These complement the existing pathways for mental health, cancer, digestive health, dermatology, and muscles, bones and joints.
  • Critical Illness: The maximum cover available for your partner has increased from £150,000 to £250,000.
  • Cycle2Work: The maximum amount that you can spend annually on a bicycle and/or safety equipment has increased from £2,000 to £3,000.
  • Retail Vouchers: Pluxee has advised that it may change or discontinue the service during 2027. If this happens, HPE may need to withdraw the benefit and may not be able to offer a replacement provider or equivalent benefit. We will communicate any necessary changes as early as possible.

As a general rule when you select your benefits, please make sure you are comfortable with the cost before you commit to your choices. Whilst every effort is made each year to negotiate market competitive group rates for all HPE benefit plans on offer, there can be instances in which premiums for some benefits have risen due to inflation, supply chain pressures, and high utilisation trends in the benefits marketplace.

To access the information from last year, please click here. 

Update: Pension – New administrator

With effect from the 1st of September 2026, the Trustees of the UK Mercer Master Trust (MMT) appointed Aviva as their new pension administrators, replacing Scottish Widows.

You should have received further information from MMT about the change of administrator and what to expect. Communications should have been received via one of the following: your postal address as recorded in Workday or the Mercer Money App for those who’ve registered.

The change of administrator took place automatically and no immediate action is required of you. You are unlikely to experience any significant change to the way in which you interact with your pension savings following the change of administrator. For example:

  • Your pension savings will remain in the Mercer Master Trust and will continue to be invested in Mercer investment funds.
  • You will continue to be able to access your pension savings account via Mercer Money (mercermoney.com) in the same way and using the same login details.
  • Any protections or guarantees that apply to your Mercer Master Trust pension savings will remain in place.
  • Please note that the funds you have built up with Scottish Widows will be transferred to Aviva in February/March 2027. The Mercer Money app will show your total fund value.

Update: Private Medical Scheme – Expansion of treatment pathways

AXA has expanded its treatment pathways to include neurology, urology and cardiology. These additions complement the existing treatment pathways for mental health, cancer, digestive health, dermatology and muscles, bones and joints.

You do not need a GP referral to access the mental health or muscles, bones and joints treatment pathways. Simply either call AXA or log in to your AXA Health online account.

However, a GP referral is required to access the digestive health, dermatology, neurology, urology and cardiology pathways. Once your GP has referred you to a specialist, log in to your AXA Health online account and open the relevant specialist service page. There, you can find an explanation of how the service works and a link to start your claim.

These specialist assessments form part of AXA Health’s broader range of online health and support services. To learn more about your private medical scheme, including the full range of benefits and services available to you, visit your AXA Health online account.

Update: Critical Illness – Increase in amount

Aviva have increased the maximum cover available for your partner from £150,000 to £250,000.  You can choose a cover level between £10,000 and £250,000 as long as it does not exceed the level of your own cover.

Cover of £10,000 can be chosen for the 1st step, then £15,000 for the 2nd step and then in units of £25,000 up to a maximum of £250,000.

You should seek financial advice before cancelling any personal policies your Partner may have and replacing them with this cover.

Update: Cycle2Work – Increase in amount you can spend

The maximum amount that you can spend annually on a bicycle and/or safety equipment has increased from £2,000 to £3,000. 

Whether you’re considering selecting Cycle to Work or you’re already enrolled in the scheme, your participation should comply with government guidelines. The Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions savings this benefit attracts assumes the bicycle is used mainly for ordinary commuting and/or business journeys (defined by HMRC as the ‘main use test’). It’s your responsibility to make sure you will be using the bicycle in line with the latest guidance.

The latest guidance can be found here.

Update: Retail Vouchers – Potential changes to the scheme

The Retail Vouchers scheme remains active, and you can continue to participate and use the service as usual. However, Pluxee has advised that it may make changes to or discontinue the service during 2027. If the service is changed or withdrawn, HPE may need to amend or remove the Retail Vouchers benefit and cannot guarantee that a replacement provider or an equivalent benefit will be available. We will monitor the position closely and communicate any confirmed changes, including the timing and any action you may need to take as early as possible.