Pension or Gratuity

David_Aston

When I was de-mobbed from the RAF in 1973, I received a gratuity of £280. I completed a twelve year term, although with Apprentice training, I served nearly fifteen years. In those days, I believe that twenty two years was the minimum term in order to receive a pension.
Just out of interest, have any viewers of these forums got knowledge of current periods of armed forces service which will produce a pension, eventually, for a serving man or woman?

Silvertabby

You're right - you don't qualify for a pension as you left with less than 22 years service before the rules changed in 1975.

“ Service deferred pensions

Prior to 6 April 1975 there was no provision for a preservation of pension benefits and service personnel who left the armed forces had to have completed 16 years from age 21 (officers) or 22 years from age 18 (other ranks). Those who left before that date without completing the above criteria, lost all pension entitlement.

The rules changed on 6 April 1975 to provide for pensions to be deferred for payment at age 60 for all those discharged over the age of 26 with a minimum of 5 years service. On 31 March 1978 the age criterion was dropped and on 6 April 1988, the qualifying period was reduced from 5 to 2 years.

I was in AFPS 75. I left the RAF in 2000 with just over 22 years service, and so received an immediate pension. Since then, AFPS 05 has been introduced with different regulations, but still with a pension payable after 22 years service (for other ranks).

The new upcoming AFPS is different again, and seems to be along the lines of the revised Civil Service CARE pension scheme - ie, possibly not as generous as AFPS75/05. I haven't had a good look at it yet, but will do so out of curiosity.

ADD
Just had a quick look, and AFPS15 still pays an immediate pension subject to a minimum age of 40/minimum service of 20 years. However, it is a CARE (career average) scheme instead of a notional final salary.

Those who leave after 12 years service, as a junior rank, will be entitled to a deferred pension from State pension age (or from age 55 subject to an early payment reduction. These won't see much of a difference in their eventual, unreduced, pension.

The full careerists, however, will probably see quite a difference, as their career average pension will be based on their actual salary history - Aircraftman to Warrant Officer - instead of their notional final WO salary.