New Capita-run Civil Service Pension Scheme - problems (what a surprise!)

redbaron911

I received my pension quote yesterday, unfortunately, it was total rubbish so I have had to ask for it to be totally recalculated.

I wonder if this was done to clear the backlog and say I had been sent a quote despite it not being worth the paper it was printed on. It was originally sent out on 23rd June.

cmayflower

Have any deferred members applied for their pension recently? I'm due to be able to claim one part of my pension (pre 2008) for November, any recommendations on when to start this process greatfully received, thank you

ali_bear

You can only start a claim 4 months in advance at the earliest.

kermchem

A colleague of my OH recently attended an internal staff briefing on civil service pensions. Third party news, but the story I was told was that the advice was to apply six months in advance of retirement date.

It is clear that requests made more than 4 months in advance will be ignored

As a non civil servant I am not allowed the see the presentation slides, total contrast with similar talks on behalf of USS, where spouses were welcome even to attend.

cmayflower

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056026#Comment_82056026

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056013#Comment_82056013

Thank you, thought I'd read it somewhere but just couldn't find it

kermchem

4 months for quotes going forward - my source is Angela MacDonald's taskforce update #10, dated 25 June (number 11 is due today), which says (believe it or not)

If you have not yet submitted a request, whether you are planning to take partial retirement or full retirement, going forward, please allow four months for the whole process. Capita will not process quotations requests which are for dates beyond a 4-month timescale. Capita is now in a position where members requesting a quote in July for a retirement date 4 months away should expect to retire and receive the correct pension payment on time.

I have to say (again I am not a civil servant, just married to one) that this seems to say it takes 4 months and you must not ask more than 4 months ahead, so you must talk to your line manager on exactly one day, 4 months ahead.

ali_bear

I think "retirement" in this context means getting your pension into payment - not actually stopping work. There would be a different term for that. And I guess a one month notice period?

horsewithnoname

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056013#Comment_82056013

sorry but that is rubbish. It used to be 4 months and 10 days, at least in advance of your retirement date and it used to be that anything sent more than five months in advance would be returned to you as too early. Now you are advised to give five months at least and six if possible - any early requests are stockpiled till nearer the date.
if resigning, then it is dependent on your grade as to how much notice is required (it is in my department anyway)

the notice for claiming your pension is, ironically at present, to ensure you get your pension paid on time 🤔

daisy_1571

From update number 10 published 25 June 26

Timescales to expect if you are wanting to retire

I am sure that some members on the cusp of retirement have been watching and waiting patiently, hoping service levels improve before they submit their request for a quotation. Despite the service issues, Capita has continued to receive a significant volume of future dated retirement requests throughout the last 6 months and those future dated cases will now start to be processed.

If you have not yet submitted a request, whether you are planning to take partial retirement or full retirement, going forward, please allow four months for the whole process. Capita will not process quotations requests which are for dates beyond a 4-month timescale. Capita is now in a position where members requesting a quote in July for a retirement date 4 months away should expect to retire and receive the correct pension payment on time.

cmayflower

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056103#Comment_82056103

I don't have a line manager as i am a deferred member, I'll be going with the 4 month prior to my retirement date