Army service

Toottoit1

I served for 3 years in the Army from 1977 to 1980 and after contacting the MOD I was informed that I was not eligible for Pension could I still use this service time in my Civil service pension as I am retiring in the next 2 months 
Thanks

Silvertabby

Toottoit1 said:

I served for 3 years in the Army from 1977 to 1980 and after contacting the MOD I was informed that I was not eligible for Pension could I still use this service time in my Civil service pension as I am retiring in the next 2 months 
Thanks

Sorry, no.

You aren't eligible for an Army pension because your reckonable service was less than the (then) 5 years vesting period.  The AFPS is a nil contributory scheme, thus ruling out the offer of a refund of your own contributions when you left - but you could have transferred out the value of your benefits to your new employer's scheme.  As long as this was done within 12 months of leaving the Army.

As you didn't transfer out, the MOD would have repaid your NI rebate to COEG, thus putting you back into SERPS (the second State pension) for most of this period. (SERPS/contracting out began April 1978).

Toottoit1

Thank you for your reply and explanation  it was most helpful thank you saved me a lot of time.