Should I claim my NHS pension

GrubbyGirl_2

Can I suggest you go and talk to your HR department, they will be able to tell you exactly what you can and cannot do and walk you through it.  Most NHS Pensions communication comes as a leaflet attached to your payslip.  I used to despair watching members of my team just throwing it in the bin without reading it.  NHS Pensions do write to staff but lots don't read it!

badgersarebold

Onebrokelady said:

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

As others have said the fact you are part time is irrelevant as your final salary pension is based on the full time salary.  Only you can make the decision about whether it makes financial sense but remember it's likely NHS pay scales will get a good hike in 2023/24 so it might be worth putting off retiring until pay increases are announced so your pension is based on new salary scales

I'm not 60 until June so I was going to wait until then anyway 😊

How have things panned out for you? My partner is approaching their 60th birthday, and been sent a letter inviting them to consider taking their 1995 pension benefits (whilst keeping their 2015 pension contributions running). They are working part-time, 4 days, but looking to reduce this to 3 days, on the same salary. They are considering taking a lump sum (tax free) from the 1995 pension. Possibily the larger lump sum, with a smaller pension to follow.  
What's been your experience? And others on this forum? Have the admin issues which have affected some, been sorted? Or is it still hit and miss whether you actually get your pension paid out, without hassle?
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

GrubbyGirl_2

This is an old thread, it's probably worth you starting your own

Stubod

NHS admin has definately not been sorted, (actually seems worse). After all the problems I had claimimng the 2008 element of my pension at 65, I claimed the 2015 element of my peneion when I got to 66. My first payment was significantly less than I was expecting so I called them to query it. After 2 months they replied that they had indeed missed some years off my payments and they would sort it out.

Four months later I called them as my payments had not changed. I was read out a "standard" statement that basically said. 

"Yes we are aware there is a problem, but we can't tell you what you should be getting, and we can't give you any indication as to a time when this will be resolved....so tough".

So between spouse and myself, that's 3 NHS pensions that have all been incorrectly paid!

I would strongly recommend that anybody who works in the NHS to take copies of their annual "Rewards" statements and check each year that they are correct as when you start taking your pension this information is no longer available.

badgersarebold

Stubod said:

NHS admin has definately not been sorted, (actually seems worse). After all the problems I had claimimng the 2008 element of my pension at 65, I claimed the 2015 element of my peneion when I got to 66. My first payment was significantly less than I was expecting so I called them to query it. After 2 months they replied that they had indeed missed some years off my payments and they would sort it out.

Four months later I called them as my payments had not changed. I was read out a "standard" statement that basically said. 

"Yes we are aware there is a problem, but we can't tell you what you should be getting, and we can't give you any indication as to a time when this will be resolved....so tough".

So between spouse and myself, that's 3 NHS pensions that have all been incorrectly paid!

I would strongly recommend that anybody who works in the NHS to take copies of their annual "Rewards" statements and check each year that they are correct as when you start taking your pension this information is no longer available.

Thanks Stubod. So my takeaway from your experience, is to check and check again. Take nothing granted. BGet those annual statements printed off, so we have a record. We did actually speak to an adviser at the NHS Pensions "Helpline" (whatever its called). They were pretty helpful. Tho not able to give specific advice. Suggesting my partner speaks to their local NHS employer finance team... Will keep you posted. And thank you again for your advice and comments. Much appreciated.