NHS pension lump sum

[PleaseNoMoreMinecraft]

I don't know if there are any NHS pension specialists about? I'm on the 2008 pension I think and since we're trying to get together a deposit for a house, I'd like to know if it's possible to take out money from my pension early as a lump sum?

I've looked at the website but can't find out anything about taking a lump sum out early at all, only stuff about lump sums on retirement.

From what I can remember if you're on the 2008 pension then there is no option to take anything until you reach State retirement age.

No, you can't withdraw money from pensions as a lump sum until you retire. Private pensions sometimes have a younger draw down age but that's still late 50s.

The very earliest you can access your pension benefits (except in ill health cases) would be 55.

The exception would be if you've only recently joined the scheme - most schemes have a period where you can opt out and have a refund of your contributions. That period could be 2 years or could be less, not sure for NHS. However from what you've said it doesn't sound like this applies to you.

Ok, it doesn't sound like it's an option for me. Thanks everyone, it's very useful to know, at least we can cross that one off the list!