Question about husbands pension, NHS to local council?

lyric_grace

Hi all,
I don't normally frequent this board I'm more of a MFW but I'd wondered if you could help me with a question/s about my husband pension.
From around the age of 19/20 he started working for the NHS, he started paying into the pension fund and stopped when he left the NHS at the age of 26 when he moved on jobs to work for the local council. He then started payuing his pension to them and got lots of letters talking about transfer of funds etc, which at the time he ignored because he didn't think he'd be there very long and though he would be back in the NHS soon. However now 2 years later he's still at the council and will more than likely stay there.
I don't really "get" pensions and things so told him to phone the council pension advice line and ask what to do, but after months of nagging he still hasn't rang them.
So my question/s is this.....what should he do?
Is it too late to transfer the NHS to the council one now? What happens with a transfer (I hope this doesn't sound like a simple/thick question to you people) is it all done for him.
Is it the right thing to do in transferring?
Any help or advice is appreciated, thank you in advance for your time!
LG x

MikeJones_2

Hi,

There's some background info on a similar vein in these threads:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1141153

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1133457

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1018623

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1006347


Hope that helps, if not post back.

Mike Jones


I work in the field of Pension Education and Pension Guidance in the UK. I am a current member of the Specialist Pensions Forum as well as being a Voluntary Adviser for The Pensions Advisory Service. I work with scheme members, employers, trustees, scheme administrators and advisers on most things to do with employer sponsored pension schemes. The views expressed by me in this thread are my personal opinions. You should seek professional advice from an appropriately experienced and qualified adviser. I am not an IFA.

Andy_L

He only had 12 months to transfer into the LGPS so he has missed the boat. It was probably the best thing to do so, on my say so, feel free to slap him :-)

Pixieboy

Hello,
It may be a bit of a long shot but he could ask his employer whether they would extend the time limit, since the relevant Regulation says "That notice must be given before the expiry of the period of 12 months beginning with the date he became an active member (or such longer period as his employer may allow)."
They may well say "no!" but there's nothing to loose by asking, and it may save him a clout round the ear! ;-)

lyric_grace

Thanks for your replies people, I thought I'd seen somewhere on a leter about a 12 month time limit. I'm mad with myself for not sorting this out, I'm normally so money wise as well. Damn damn damn me. Thanks again though for your time!