Giving up NHS pension

[Freshstarts249]

I’m relatively new to the NHS. I’m mid thirties and have zero pension elsewhere.
Im considering a new job opportunity but am suddenly very aware that my contributions into a normal pension pot for the next 30 years will leave me with next to nothing in retirement. Whereas if I stay in the nhs I’ll have a decent pension.

would I be crazy to leave? Or crazy to stay just for pension in 30 years when who knows what opportunities I could have before then?

We have two people doing day release for degrees, and one doing an MSc day release.

I could probably get on a nursing apprenticeship in my trust but I have no desire to do nursing so would be pretty pointless. I have never seen them advertise any AHP apprenticeships but that would also be a sideward move for me and something I have no experience in. I have considered SALT but I can’t even get on a uni course without doing a foundation year and I can’t afford to not work for 4 years.

I wouldn't leave the nhs for a job with the same salary. Given the value of the benefits you get, that is effectively taking a pay cut.

For a job with a salary at least 33% higher, then potentially. You then make sure you are putting at least 20-25% of the new salary into your private pension. If good things happen in the economy over the next 30 years you may not then be any worse off.

Other things to consider - in the nhs you will have way better sick leave, maternity leave etc than in the private sector.

Yes the sick leave and other protection and security is good in the NHS.
But although I’d be leaving for a job with the same salary, I could potentially end up in other roles that earn more by gaining experience. Something that won’t happen in the nhs.

We dont advertise apprenticeships. We just actively encourage staff to do day release if we can. We’ve got a Band 6 currently who started as a 3. She’s the one doing her MSc. She’s worked full time the whole way through. Full wage.

You really need to have a role within the NHS that you want to do though, and I’ll be honest, you sound pretty ambivalent about the whole thing. Perhaps a complete change outside healthcare and the NHS would be better for you. Pay the max you can afford in to a private pension and don’t worry about it too much.

Interesting, I didn’t know that about the apprenticeships. Although from what I’ve seen none of the local unis offer apprenticeships for speech and language for example. Plenty for nursing. I also wouldn’t get on the courses as I don’t have the right qualifications.

its annoying because id love to do the band 6 role, which id need a masters for, but id also need to do nursing first and im really not cut out for nursing and couldn’t do the placements due to childcare and unsociable hours.

I'm leaving this thread, because you're annoying me, OP. After all of these suggestions, you're still so rigid in your mindset it makes me wonder why you even posted your 'dilemma'.

Ok thanks for letting me know… I mean you could have just left without the dramatic exit post but ok.