Betrayal of Armed Forces Pensioners

Andy_L

Alter_ego wrote: »

Yes but presumably they got their contributions refunded on leaving the job. We got zip!

There was no legal obligation to have them refunded, so probably not.
Mind you, since the employees contribution to the AFPS was zero there wouldn't have been much to refund

Silvertabby

Just as a matter of interest I was serving in BAOR in the 90s (extended service). Working in the local PSA (as a civilian) was an old comrade of mine who had completed 12 years reconable service. I pointed out to him that he might be entitled to a preserved pension when he reached the age of 60 but he would have to contact the Army Pensions Office. He replied that he thought he had to do 22 years to get his pension. Well he wrote to the Army Pensions Office and they confirmed that he did qualify for a preserved pension. I'm still waiting the crate of Herforder Pils. Posted by Uneducated Archie

I was in HQRAFG in the 1990s, so probably not too far from you. Happy days!

You're right about the number of ex service personnel who don't realise they are entitled to preserved benefits. I know the RAF handed out pension information leaflets along with discharge paperwork - It was part of my job!. I've heard the same thing several times ... " I didn't do 22 years, so I don't get a pension" or..." I got a lump sum instead of a pension" (For those who don't know, that's the 12+ resettlement grant - which is absolutely nothing to do with the pension). Even sadder, in a way, is the number of bereaved spouses who didn't know that they could claim a lump sum and a pension if their spouse died before 60.

Cardew

thebeeman wrote: »

THE BETRAYAL OF OUR ARMED FORCES PENSIONERS

Group 2 Individuals who have completed a Full Contracted Career in the Armed Forces during the same qualifying period. These individuals would on completion of the Full Career ‘retire’ and immediately receive a Full Military Pension for the rest of their lives. As there are less than 200 ‘Non-Commissioned Ranks’ who complete a Full Career each year, so this group numbers less than 6000 individuals. Of these there are less than 4000 under the state retirement age as of year 2010.



A simple example of the impact this will have is of an Army Sergeant who completed a Full Career and on retirement immediately receives £8612 Annual Pension. On reaching age 55 the Sergeant will receive £1700 less per annum through the 15 years of rises being linked to the CPI

As pointed out in the posts above a full contracted career is 37 years from a minimum age of 18 and thus they would be 55 or over. Relatively few have the opportunity, or desire, to serve to age 55. Thus I can believe less than 200 a year are in that category.

However you quite clearly have based your article e.g. 'the sergeant who completed a full career ' retiring at 40 after 22 years. 22 years service being the point at which an immediate pension is payable. I think you will find many thousands a year retire, like 'your' sergeant in the period from when an immediate pension is payable and under age 55. e.g someone joining at age 19 and retiring at age 41.

By 2011 the Coalition Government then introduced the Triple Lock Pensions Rise mechanism which guaranteed a minimum pension increase of 2.5%.

Moreover you clearly think that the 'triple lock pension increase' of 2.5% applies to occupational pensions(includiing military service pensions) and not just the basic State pension.

TadleyBaggie

It's "ANOMALY" not "ANNOMALY" BTW.

Uneducated_Archie

tadleybaggie wrote: »

it's "anomaly" not "annomaly" btw.

butt spell chequers two khan make awe full miss steaks

Silvertabby

butt spell chequers two khan make awe full miss steaks.............. Posted by Uneducated Archie

First thing I do with a new phone or computer is turn off the wretched spell check/predictive text.

bez2345

These individuals would on completion of the Full Career ‘retire’ and immediately receive a Full Military Pension for the rest of their lives

Err no we don't and its clearly explained the larger the lump sum you take the smaller the monthly payment are until you reach 55, the smaller the lump sum you take the larger the monthly payments are until you reach 55. Then both get the same amount. I will caveat that was for AFPS 75 pension, for the dogs dinner of all schemes after AFPS 75 was closed down i haven't a clue what they are predicted to get.

Andy_L

bez2345 wrote: »

These individuals would on completion of the Full Career ‘retire’ and immediately receive a Full Military Pension for the rest of their lives

Err no we don't and its clearly explained the larger the lump sum you take the smaller the monthly payment are until you reach 55, the smaller the lump sum you take the larger the monthly payments are until you reach 55. Then both get the same amount. I will caveat that was for AFPS 75 pension, for the dogs dinner of all schemes after AFPS 75 was closed down i haven't a clue what they are predicted to get.

In AFPS terminology a "Full Career" pension is the pension given to those who serve to age 55 and have 34/37+ years service.

You're talking about the "immediate pension" paid after 22 years service which is an option unique to the military pension which, as you say, has various lump sum/vs pension options