Nhs pension special classes

Wendy_jones

Hi, I have just checked my Total reward statement and found that my normal pension age has changed from 55 to 60. All previous correspondance from nhs pensions showed that I had special class status. I have been an RGN in general nursing with no career breaks. I notice that on the latest online pension guidance there is a note under the special class status which says that "if you had a refund" . As a student nurse i did apply for a refund in ?1990, but I was paying into pension from 1993. why should this affect my special class status ?

Brynsam

Probably best to contact the NHS scheme direct to check - there is nothing in the information you've given above which would enable anyone to answer with authority.

crv1963

Your benefits under the 1995 scheme should be preserved, as Brynsam says it would be best to contact NHS Pensions or your Trust Pension Officer for more details as you may be moving to the 2015 scheme- it is a graduated move of staff over depending on age/ retirement date and length of service. They should be able to tell you exactly what your own situation is and when you can retire with what benefits.
You can ask for a pension forecast which shows you what you can get and when. Your pension officer can sort this for you it takes a few weeks from being requested.

xylophone

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2017-02/Special%20Class%20status%20member%20factsheet%2002.2017%20%28V6%29.pdf

may be worth a read.

Wendy_jones

Thankyou, I have emailed the pensions dept for further advice. I am hoping this is an admin error, otherwise I will take it to appeal as I was expecting to retire at 55 with special class status. I have worked for the nhs for 30 years already and thought I only had 7 years to go !!!

mollycat

Wendy, am I right in thinking you are 48 years old now?

I think you may have been effected by the changes some years ago, as (?) too young to be fully protected.

Might be talking out of my backside though

As others have said, better check officially.

Flugelhorn

may be one of those cases where you could get the 1995 bit of your pension at 55 but not the rest ie the 2015 section


bit on special class protection for 1995/2015 - appears can't now be assessed as having special status until you actually retire

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2017-02/Scheme%20Protection%20arrangements%20SC%20MHO%20%28V2%29%2002.2017.pdf

One of these conditions is that the member is in Special Class or Mental Health Officer
employment on their last day of employment before retirement. Therefore, a member will
not be able to confirm until retirement that they meet this condition, even if they currently
meet all the other conditions for an Normal Pension Age earlier than age 60.

stoozie1

Remember that from when you commence taking your 1995 pension, you can no longer contribute to your 2015 pension.