NHS Pension

[Charmlight]

I need to look into this ASAP, but briefly.... Currently employed by the NHS, aged 47. Have almost 30 yrs pension contributions (mostly part time).

I am part way through a period of 12 weeks redeployment notice, as I am unable to work as a trained nurse patient facing - and am office based because of anxiety/depression - gone through occ. health etc.

My question is, if my current employer is unable to offer me a suitable alternative post, as it seems may be the case, and I obtain employment which does not provide opportunity to pay into the NHS pension, (eg surgery receptionist), will I be able to draw my pension at 50? 55?

I did think it was possible to draw yr pension at 50,but I can’t remember where I had this information from. Have emailed the pension dept, and awaiting an answer, but I feel it may be some time before I get one, and I have interviews pending...

nurses can retire from 55, not sure if that would affect you if you no longer work as a nurse. do you know which pension scheme you in. sorry not to be any help, the pensions dept will give you a pensions forecast. someone else here will probably know more.

Thank you Retirednow; pretty sure I stayed in the old pension. Just worried that I may be offered a job without NHS pension provision and take it, then find out it stops me drawing it early.
My own fault - probably should have stayed off sick until they finished me - but I wanted to work and still do, but cannot nurse any more.

You will have to ask them if you can transfer your pension, if you get another job will it be with the nhs. Hope you sort it out, it's a hard job, maybe you can take the pension out any time.

This website has information for members. It seems to say that if you joined the 1995 section before 6 April 2006 then you can retire early from age 50 (and if joined after that can retire early from age 55) but if you retire early then your benefits will be reduced.
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/applying-your-pension
You need to check what section you are in (probably more than one section as most people have some benefits in the 2015 scheme) and what your normal retirement age is (there are different retirement ages for different sections and some groups have special retirement ages).

As someone else says above, the administrators or HR should be able to give you information about your entitlements but I appreciate waiting is frustrating.

You will probably be able to draw it from 55 (NHS Pensions can confirm - why not just ring and ask rather than waiting for an email response?) but bear in mind it is likely to be reduced for drawing it before your normal retirement age so you won’t get the full amount that you have built up.

Many thanks TrumpetVoluntary, and ChessieFL - I thought I could take at 50- Yes, will ring on Monday.

Under legislation, you can normally draw benefits from age 55 but they will be reduced in-line with the early retirement factors under the relevant section of the scheme.

However, depending on the severity of your condition, you may be able to apply for early ill health retirement from the NHS pension scheme.

If you were awarded Tier 1, that would involve your pension accrued to date being payable without any early payment reduction. This usually means that you’ve been certified as being unable to do your own job ever again.

If you were awarded Tier 2, that would involve your pension being enhanced by a specified proportion to your Normal Retirement Age under your relevant section of the scheme. This usually means that you’re unable to undertake any employment “of like duration” again.

Thank you UncomfortableBadger - presumably the fact that I have been permitted to go down the redeployment route would indicate that I am unable to do my own job again - I certainly cannot - the thought of it makes me feel ill.
What is the definition of ‘of like duration’ in these circumstances? I was hoping to get a part time job and draw my NHS pension at 50 to ‘top up’. Would I be able to do that, if not employed by the NHS as a nurse at that time, do you think?

“Of like duration” typically means “similar hours” within the NHS Pensions landscape.

If you have BMA membership, worth speaking to them as they’ll guide you through the early ill health retirement process.

If you do go for early ill health retirement, the rules about working alongside are v complicated. However, the main thing is that it’s best to apply for early ill health retirement before you leave NHS employment.

Many thanks all. Had I felt on top of things, I would have addressed this sooner - I took the easiest path - wanting to work, but unable to nurse. Think I will try to put the brakes on the redeployment process and apply for Tier 1 retirement on ill health grounds. Will also contact the RCN again. Links all v useful.