Civil Service Pension from 2002 with less than two years service....

Tunstallstoven

Hi all

I worked for the CSA back in 2001/2002 for a total of around 20 months I think.

I've been going through some old paperwork (a New Year clear out!) and came across some of the paperwork to do with it.

Does anyone know if this pension would still be alive and transferable to my current non-contributory employer pension?

Cheers

Max

rabbitmumu

Your are likely to have become a deferred member of the scheme. Rules have changed in the last few years but if you have less than 2 years of service, you MAY BE able to just get a refund of your own contributions where you don't need to transfer it to another pension scheme. But don't quote me on that as you have left the scheme a long time ago.

However, if you can't take a refund of contributions, then you still have a deferred pensions in this case you can ask for a transfer value quote and see how much can be transferred to your new employer's pension.

But the main thing is you should ask your current employer pension if they are happy to accept any transfer-in payments.

Tunstallstoven

Huge thanks for the reply and help.....

I've called them up and after navigating to the right department I've discovered the following....:

I contributed toward a Widower's Pension from my wages. The remaining pension was employer contributions only. I've actually already had a refund of the Widower's Pension contributions I made. I did not remember this at all! But checking back on my payslips from half a decade ago - there it was! So sorry for the confusion on that one. My memory is not as it used to be....!

As for the main pension that the employer paid into, I asked if this was transferable from their point of view and they said that because I did less than 2 years service, the pension cannot be transferred and is written off. Does that sound correct?

Thanks again

Max

rabbitmumu

you're welcomed.

I am afraid this does sound correct - especially you had a refund of contribution and so you are no longer a deferred member of the scheme. The reason for this 2-year rule is 1) provide flexibility for members and 2) reduce admin cost for the scheme as it's expensive for schemes to keep track of / provide benefits for short-service members. There's no legal obligation for them to keep you as a member of the scheme with service less than 2 years.

Good luck with your new year paperwork clear out !

Tunstallstoven

Many thanks for that.

I can get rid of the paperwork at least then!