NHS 2 pension query.

[Sunshineandrainbow]

I started work for NHS in 2001 and have the 1995 pension, I mainly worked part time during this time.
I left for 6 months in 2017 and so now also have a 2018 pension. I worked a full time role plus a 6 hour evening contract.

I have now left my NHS full time role to move to local council but still have the 6 hour NHS contract.

My concern is... Will my 1995 pension be worked out on my current 6 hour NHS contract salary if I carry on this role until retirement?

I am not currently paying in to the NHS pension on my 6 hour contract if this makes a difference and don't know if I should be or not.

I have contacted NHS pensions and sadly it hasn't made it any clearer.
Thankyou

Are you in a union/professional association? If so, can you get advice from them?

I found that this seems clear to me to explain the schemes , but do check it against official info, I wouldn’t know if they have it all exactly right or if it will cover the info you need https://www.wesleyan.co.uk/pensions-and-retirement/nhs-pension/guide
seems wise to check as you are doing which years the final salary section pension will be based on.

No I am sadly not in a union.
I am wondering if there is anyone in my nhs trust who is an expert.

The 1995 pension is worked out as a proportion of your full time equivalent salary, not what you get for working 6h per week. Does that help?

Oh OK that's helpful thanks for replying.
My current 6 hour contract is a band 3 but my full time role was a band 4.

I guess though as long as the pay keeps rising by the time I take it at 60 (13 years) it will be close if not higher than what I was earning as a band 4 before I left.

I was thinking I might have to leave the council and work as a band 4 somewhere when it comes closer.

Do you know if it is still worth me contributing to my 2015 pension on my current wage or is it always a case of everything helps. If so I will have to contact them and ask for it to be deducted going forward.

For the 2015 pension, a Band 3 at the top of the scale in England earns £24,336 a year, so for each year they work their annual pension goes up by £450 (1/54 of their salary).

You’re on 6/37.5 of that, so your annual pension would go up by £450 x 6/37.5 ie £72.

That doesn’t sound a lot, but if you contribute for the next 13 years then that will be an extra £936 a year every year you’re retired.

Only you can decide if that’s worth it, but in terms of what you get out compared to what you pay in it’s a very good deal.

Caveat - I am not sure on this. BUT I wonder if your 1995 pension only maintains its final salary plus inflation + 1.5 percent annual uprating if you are still paying into the pension. If you opt out, you may only get your salary at that time uprated by inflation. So leaving the pension scheme would also reduce that part. Simply put, I wouldn't. But please check I am right on this. It rings bells though.