Mhos Mental health officers

[Deleted User]

Okay started employment with NHS in 1979 age 17,I have nearly 30 years pensionable service,,,,as I have worked in Mental health every year after 20 is doubled (MHO) ,so at the grand old age of 48 I have 40 years pensionable service,:rolleyes: though I cant retire until I am 55.
Can I stop paying my superanuation for the next 7 years??????

firesidemaid

have a look at the nhs pensions website - it has all the handbooks there as well as extra info.

not sure how the special classes work as i am not special IYSWIM?

you will be able to take your pension from 50, but would probably have a reduction in your pension.

or if you are correct and you have 40 years, you could go and do something else for 7 years and then claim your full pension at 55?

also, you could give them a ring and get them to give you a forecast and answer these specific questions.

do you want to 'retire' as such? what are your plans for the next 10-15 years?

[Deleted User]

Yes I want to retire at 55,If I retire at 50 I only recieve 75% of my pension+reduced lump sum....:beer:

KingCheeseZombie

jockserb wrote: »

Okay started employment with NHS in 1979 age 17,I have nearly 30 years pensionable service,,,,as I have worked in Mental health every year after 20 is doubled (MHO) ,so at the grand old age of 48 I have 40 years pensionable service,:rolleyes: though I cant retire until I am 55.
Can I stop paying my superanuation for the next 7 years??????

NHS Pension Scheme members can opt stop paying into the scheme at any time during service. If you have more than 2 years scheme membership you will become a deferred member. Meaning that you may not be entitled to the same array of benefits that an active scheme member would.

I would contact the NHS Pensions Agency at Fleetwood to discuss this as they should be able to tell you what would happen in your particular circumstance. Alternatively, the info is on their website here.

Many NHS Pension Scheme members who hit the pensionable service cap continue to pay contributions due to this. Interestingly, the actual service limits on pensionable service is now 45 years - however, due to MHO doubling - the maximum attainable at 55 (normal retirement age for MHOs) remains at 40. Additional service (up to the 45 year maximum) can be accrued after age 55 you choose to stay on.

firesidemaid

re. the benefits of being an active rather than deferred member - this can affect any dependants that you have (not always the lump paid out should you die before retirement).

but, if you stop paying and defer i think the pension goes up by retail price index rather than linked to nhs pay rates.

if you stay in service and stop paying/defer then your pension will be based ?on that pay rather than your final pay. but if you are at the top of a scale now then that probably wouldn't affect you too much.

do you want/need to still keep working in your current job/nhs?

[Deleted User]

Thanks.Some one told me I could stop paying superan for 2 years then restart:rolleyes: paying 5 years before I retire,,is this correct.

firesidemaid

since the original scheme has been revamped i think that you can leave (the scheme) for up to 5 years and still be able to rejoin the old scheme, rather than the new, again. pension is based on the best of your last 3 years though.

i had a good look online at all the rules, nooks and crannies etc - especially since the changes and then asked lots of questions based on that for myself.

you can get them to send you a forecast and also work out various scenarios and/or options for you.

did you gain from agenda for change or not?

[Deleted User]

Yes I gained from agenda for change big time,,,though not as much as my wife who went from a 5 to a:beer: 7 yeha Thanks again.......

firesidemaid

one thing i would say - get everything in writing, especially if you are making major decisions about your future/income.

KingCheeseZombie

jockserb wrote: »

Thanks.Some one told me I could stop paying superan for 2 years then restart:rolleyes: paying 5 years before I retire,,is this correct.

You can stop and start whenever you please - but please note the comments made by firesidemaid about rejoining - you don't want to get forced into the new scheme on returning in 2 years if you become a deferred member now.

Additionally, (from memory) as a MHO you cannot accrue any more service than you already have (40 years) without having 40 "actual" years. As you only have 30 "actual" and 10 through doubling - you would have to work full time (and pay contributions) for another 10 years - to have a total of 40 "actual" years - at which point you will be allowed to continue onto the new service limit of 45.

Sorry for the long winded explanation - and I have nothing against MHO status - but it is a rather favorable (and unique) status in the NHS, as the Pension Review got rid of MHO status for new entrants - only existing MHOs are allowed to take advantage of doubling - this measure of having to accrue "actual" years before being allowed past 40 years (this applies to all staff) was a way of dealing the historically generous benefits for this select group.

From your point of view - if you intend to retire at 55 and are not buying in extra years - you will never reach 40 "actual" years - so other than the benefits associated with being an active member and linking the pensionable pay figure to your last working salary as opposed to the date when you stopped paying pension contributions you find yourself in quite an advantageous position (IMO).