NHS Question based on Redundancy/Leaving/Rejoining

piersuk

I know is is not an unusual situation but NHS Pensions are their usual, slightly difficult selves.

At the end of November I took redundancy (not based on efficiencies) from an NHS role where I have 25 years+ of 1995 contributions.

After 2 weeks I started a new position in an independent NHS provider where I do not contribute to any pensions whatsoever. The provider I work for does have access to the NHS pension though.

I am still working at this employer but looking to take my deferred pension as an actuarially reduced early retirement pension, I’m 54 but protected by the time I have been in the scheme.

Upon completing the AW8P form Section 6, I have to answer the initial question “Are you working in the NHS now” as yes, they class independent providers who have access to the NHS pension.
Go to 6.2
“What day will your last day at work be?”

I haven’t left yet.

Will it be necessary to wait until I finish with the new employer to claim the pension? 

With the new salary and annual pension I will earning less than my salary when employed?

Thanks…

Flugelhorn

I definitely completed AW8P while still working for the NHS - though I think I had to give up one of my 4 jobs to do so  and not work for 24 hours 

piersuk

Thanks there was 16 days between my NHS Pension role and the new position starting. 

The AW8P doesn’t seem to have an option for the scenario I’m in.

Flugelhorn

I am no expert on the scheme but it may be that the only window to take the pension was between the redundancy and starting the new role. 

squirrelpie

I know even less about the scheme but I found https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/employer-hub/technical-guidance/retirement which suggests that you should be completing an AW8 rather than an AW8P and that the form is issued by your new employer.
edit to add: Also on that page there's a form to download called: Guidance for completion of form AW8. It has some information about who can claim their pension and also says to allow several months for processing

piersuk

Thanks, unfortunately the AW8 isn’t the correct form. I’m claiming a Deferred Pension which is definitely the AW8P. 

I’m no longer in the pension scheme.

Thanks anyway.. 

Flugelhorn

it is definitely AW8P for deferred and this doesn't go anywhere near the current employer (thank goodness as once they got lost in the system that was another decade added) -

DH and I both did that form, he wasn't working - I still was. It was a few years back and I was doing officer and practitioner jobs and to get the pension into payment  I definitely had to give up at least one of the jobs permanently and not work in the others for 24 hours (and only 16 hours a week for the first month - but I think they suspended that during covid) 

"Most members retiring on Age, Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) or where benefits have been deferred must take a 24 hour break in NHS employment/work to access their NHS pension in full. The 24 hour break normally follows a member’s last day of NHS employment. NHS employment means any post where a member holds an NHS contract, this could also be an approved organisation whether it is pensionable or not. A member can take their 24 hour break from employment on retirement any day of the week, including the weekend or a bank holiday, regardless of their working contracted hours / regular working pattern. To satisfy the 24 hour rule a member must terminate their contract of service (i.e. contract of employment), or contract for services if they are a self-employed practitioner or non-GP provider."

squirrelpie

The criteria listed in which form do I complete AW8 / AW8P don't match your circumstances for an AW8P as far as I can see. So maybe as was suggested, it is simply not possible to claim whilst employed. Perhaps you need to quit your job, submit a form and then resume your job. Obviously easiest with your employer's cooperation!