Pension and Pay Off Advice Pls?

andy208833

samm1551 wrote: »

Not being funny, but he signed on the line to do that job. Whilst it may not be a pretty one it is one that pays (and I will take it on the chin that it does not pay very well). If he really doesn't want to do that any more there are other options, transferring, posting (which sometimes avoids deployment) for example. This may not be ideal but it sure as hell beats being homeless with no money. Especially as you have two young children to pay for as well.

Now, my husband has been expressing the same desires as yours, and I have told him exactly what I have written above. I have also told him that he has to act instead of talk about it because he is driving me nuts.

If, however your husband is adament he wants out then I suggest you start saving like mad and check out the benefit websites and such like asap so you know exactly what you are entitled to. I would also think about updating your CV so your ready to contact employment agencies/prospective employers when you know where you will be settling. If you will need childcare check out Ofsted website who have a list of locally registered childminders (I always found them better than nurseries).

Also contact Ssaffa/RBL. I read somewhere that they can help with the loan of a deposit on a house/flat for rent (Can't remember where though).

Sorry to sound so tough, but unfortunately unless you do the full 22 you don't get much help financially or otherwise.

Me xx

Ps Good luck whatever happens

Also once you do decide to leave you are on your own, i got a huge feeling of 'you are no more use to us' once i got to my last year. Once you decide to go you have to hunt everything down yourself there is no help unless you find it via resettlement or by word of mouth from other people leaving. Once once you have left the only people who contact you is the taxman after his slice of your pension. The Grass definately ain't greener outside.

herewegoagain2010

As his wife, this certainly puts you in a nightmare position. To be honest, if he can't face carrying on for another 7years to get his full pension fair enough if it was just him. However, he's got to think of you and the children. You both need to sit down and seriously look at your families future - no job, no home and no savings is not a good place to be in, especially in the current economic climate. I'd say stick it out for a year or so, until you get some money behind you and then re-think about leaving again. The pvr time is down to 6months, but I know they'll let you go within days if you've got another job to go to. Good Luck and I hope it all works out for you. x

Trying_to_be_good

Have you thought about waiting to see if he'll be someone who can volunteer for redundancy when all the details are published? That might give you an extra lump sum if he really wants to go before his 22.

footballmanagerwidow

samm1551 wrote: »

Not being funny, but he signed on the line to do that job. Whilst it may not be a pretty one it is one that pays (and I will take it on the chin that it does not pay very well). If he really doesn't want to do that any more there are other options, transferring, posting (which sometimes avoids deployment) for example. This may not be ideal but it sure as hell beats being homeless with no money. Especially as you have two young children to pay for as well.

I know what you're saying, but to be fair he signed up over 15 years ago at the age of 17 and our situation, and that of whats happening to the boys in afghan at the moment, is alot different these days. He's not able to just get posted on his say so, and even if he was he wouldn't escape deployment for very long whatever happens...this isn't a case of him just not wanting to go specifically to Afghan, he's finding it difficult to comprehend months away from our kids - it's not something he's had to do so far due to him being in a static instructional post for longer than we've been together. Ultimately, I cannot decide for him - it's his life and his career and if he doesn't want to do it any more thats his choice, I can't even start to imagine some of the things that he's seen throughout his career...Bosnia, Kosovo, Telic 1 - they have taken their toll to say the least and he needs "fixing", for want of a better word.

You know what though? If he does decide he wants out then we'll be ok. I spoke to the council in the area we'd go back to yesterday and found out we'd get help from them with regards to housing should we need it, so i'm not as worried now as when I initially wrote this post as I know in the very worst case scenario they would be willing to help. He's been studying for a foundation degree in construction management over the past 18 months, which he will complete in civvy street, and once done will hopefully stand him in good stead for a more than decent job. I have worked virtually all my adult life, even with 4 children, and will do anything to keep the bills paid and the food on the table. I was a working, single parent of my 2 eldest when we met...and I know if needs be I know I have the strength to keep us all afloat. Us women can be resourceful creatures at times you know

Thanks for all your help and advice, obviously I am aware of the financial losses of him coming out now as opposed to doing "just" another 7 years...however, as his wife I only want what's best for him and I don't actually think staying in is. I just needed some clarification as to the lump sum etc, so I can really start planning what our next move will be - however still not much clearer as there seems to be 2 conflicting opinions :rotfl:Oh well, we'll find out soon enough I spose. Again, thanks all x

herewegoagain2010

FMW - you sound like you're a very strong woman and I'm sure you and your family will be fine. It's a scary prospect getting out and starting again in civvy street. I totally agree that it's his decision and the work and time away from the family will be a massive deciding factor I'm sure. At the minute my hubby has got 2yrs to do and then we'll make the decision (if not made redundant in the meantime ) to stick it out if it suits our family situtation. We've been making plans for leaving for the last 3years, but it's still scares the hell of me.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. x

samm1551

Widow,

Apart from the fact that you have 4 children and I have 2 there is not much between us honestly. I was not trying to be spiteful, I was just trying to play devils advocate. Which is something I am trying to do with my husband at the moment too. Terminating at such a point in a career in the Army is not an easy decision on anybody, especially now with hardly any work around.

Is it worth trying to see what work your husband can get before signing off? I have emailed a few companies on my husbands behalf to gauge the employment market in his field of expertise.

In relation to the council make sure you know EXACTLY where you stand. Each council is different and a friend of mine was told one thing and upon leaving the Army was dumped in emergency accomodation for a very long time, which you can imagine is not nice. Are there any housing associations in your area? Might be worth contacting them.

Anyway, I wish you luck for the future.

Me xx

Alias_Omega

FMW,

Your husband will have to give notice to leave, then serve a period after that before he can leave. He cannot submit the notice and leave the next day.

In the RAF, waiting times can vary from 6 months to 2 years. It depends on the manning levels for the Rank & Trade.

This figure is a big factor that will need to be taken into account.

Alias

footballmanagerwidow

Alias_Omega wrote: »

FMW,

Your husband will have to give notice to leave, then serve a period after that before he can leave. He cannot submit the notice and leave the next day.

In the RAF, waiting times can vary from 6 months to 2 years. It depends on the manning levels for the Rank & Trade.

This figure is a big factor that will need to be taken into account.

Alias

Yes, we are aware - he has done 15 years after all. He has to do a year (including resettlement) unless he has a firm job offer and then things might be able to be sped up.

Barneysmom

andy208833 wrote: »

Go here for a pension forecast that is actually pretty accurate so that you know what you are giving up:
http://www.mod-pc.co.uk/

QUOTE]

I stuggle to use the forecast as my hubby left in 2000 after 18 years finishing as a staffy?
He got about 7k resettlement at the time.

footballmanagerwidow

Barneysmom wrote: »

andy208833 wrote: »

Go here for a pension forecast that is actually pretty accurate so that you know what you are giving up:
http://www.mod-pc.co.uk/

QUOTE]

I stuggle to use the forecast as my hubby left in 2000 after 18 years finishing as a staffy?
He got about 7k resettlement at the time.

Thanks for that info.

Was that 7k just for his resettlement course then or was it for him to do what he wanted with?