Pension & Continue to work?

nigelibrown

My wife has been told that if she wants to return to work after claiming her NHS pension, she will only be offered an 18 month contract. She has worked for the NHS for 30 years.
As we still have a large mortgage we cannot afford for her to be unemployed in two years time. If she doesn't claim her pension she will loose a substantial lump sum and monthly payments.
What should she do?

crv1963

I think she's misinformed. I assume most of her pension is in the 1995 scheme with her length of service? Does she have special officer status? She may only be offered part time or an 18 month contract on retiring but if 1995 member she will only be allowed part time work if she retires and returns or her pension is reduced while she works.

She needs to clarify her options with her Trust Pension Officer- try ringing payroll if she cannot find out who it is via the intranet.

nigelibrown

Are you making a reference to abatement? She is 60 and on the 1995 section so it does not apply.

Thrugelmir

Reduce hours to part time for a couple of years seems a better option. As she can still continue to accrue further benefits.

PennyForThem_2

I am on 95 option and still work way after retirement age in NHS but I never retired and am still contributing to the pension.

I would look into whether NHS can compel you to retire as long as you are competent to do your job and the job still exists. However reducing hours gives the managers an opportunity to refuse.....

Thrugelmir

PennyForThem wrote: »

However reducing hours gives the managers an opportunity to refuse.....

A way of cutting the wage bill though.