Police Pension and Having another Job straight away

grumble_100

Hi, I am due to retire from the Police in December when I hit the 30 year mark. However, I have been offered a job in a branch of the Civil Service which is closely related to policing. However, they want me to start immediatley upon retirement, possibly before. My last working day with the Police will actually be in September due to owed RDs and leave etc so this could happen if I am allowed to have a "business interest" for a month. My main concern is around confusion around the rules about getting another job straight after drawing the police pension. There can be huge tax implications. Some say it only applies if going back into the Police in a simmilar role. There are also issues of Abatement ( I am not sure if this is the same thing). The Tax office, the Federation, force pensions officer all say they are unable to provide individual tax advice and I should seek my own financial advice. I have spoken with a local FI who is unable to help me. I assume they are all concerned about getting it wrong and being sued? Surely though, someone should be able to tell me if I will be OK if I leave the Police on a Friday and join the Civil Service on the Monday. Whilst many say this is fine, no one professional is able to confirm for me. Any ideas where I can go to get absolue confirmation and reassurance?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Are you leaving the police pension scheme and joining the civil service one (alpha?)?

If so why do you think abatement would be an issue?

As for tax when you have multiple source if income in one tax year there is nothing unusual in under or overpaying for one year.  

grumble_100

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Are you leaving the police pension scheme and joining the civil service one (alpha?)?

If so why do you think abatement would be an issue?

As for tax when you have multiple source if income in one tax year there is nothing unusual in under or overpaying for one year.  

No, I am finishing my employment with the police and drawing my full pension. I am undecided yet whether I will join teh civil service scheme. Just to clarify, I am not concerned about under or overpayment which will sort itself out. Its jsut there are issues about tax penalties if taking up new employment soon after leaving the police and drawing a pension.

SarahB16

You don't need to tell us your new salary with the Civil Service but would you be able to live off just that for a few years and perhaps delay drawing down your police pension or do you need the income from the police pension too whilst working for the Civil Service?  

Dazed_and_C0nfused

What tax penalties do you think could apply??

Is there any reason you wouldn't join the civil service pension, either alpha for a generous pension or partnership for a lot of free money?

grumble_100

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

What tax penalties do you think could apply??

Is there any reason you wouldn't join the civil service pension, either alpha for a generous pension or partnership for a lot of free money?

Its something to so with protected pension age:

https://www.sackers.com/pension/cherry-vs-the-police-and-crime-commissioner-of-south-wales-pensions-ombudsman-22-december-2015/

grumble_100

SarahB16 said:

You don't need to tell us your new salary with the Civil Service but would you be able to live off just that for a few years and perhaps delay drawing down your police pension or do you need the income from the police pension too whilst working for the Civil Service?  

I do need my police pension upon retirement.I'm not really sure if there is an option to defer it.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

grumble_100 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

What tax penalties do you think could apply??

Is there any reason you wouldn't join the civil service pension, either alpha for a generous pension or partnership for a lot of free money?

Its something to so with protected pension age:

https://www.sackers.com/pension/cherry-vs-the-police-and-crime-commissioner-of-south-wales-pensions-ombudsman-22-december-2015/

Isn't that about being re-employed by the police?

grumble_100

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

grumble_100 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

What tax penalties do you think could apply??

Is there any reason you wouldn't join the civil service pension, either alpha for a generous pension or partnership for a lot of free money?

Its something to so with protected pension age:

https://www.sackers.com/pension/cherry-vs-the-police-and-crime-commissioner-of-south-wales-pensions-ombudsman-22-december-2015/

Isn't that about being re-employed by the police?

Seems to be but I am not absolutley sure if it could apply with joining another organisation. I am really nervous about having my lump sum/pension taxed through simmilar rules.

squirrelpie

I suspect there's nothing to worry about but I do understand your caution. I would suggest that you ask the civil service to confirm (in writing!) that accepting their offer will not affect your police pension, or alternatively that they fund you to take advice from an independent solicitor to confirm the same. If they're keen to have you, they will surely pay.

GunJack

I knew a fair few RAF lads coming into the CS, no RAF pension implication, other than getting the tax codes correct for pension & salary.