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Overview
When you're ready to take your NHS Pension, you'll need to apply for it.
The NHS Pension Scheme overview (PDF: 180KB) provides more detail about the different pension schemes you could have pension benefits in.
Read the retirement guide (PDF: 1.16MB) before applying for your pension.
What you'll get
There are different types of retirement.
Flexible retirement options
There are flexibilities within the schemes that help you transition from work to retirement.
For more information, read the 1995/2008 member guide (PDF: 4.97MB) or the 2015 member guide (PDF: 3.27MB).
The government is consulting on proposed changes that will support NHS staff to remain in work for longer, if they want to, and work with more flexibility up to and after retirement age.
Read your options for a flexible retirement.
The consultation will close on 30 January 2023. After it has closed, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will publish the outcome of the consultation and we'll update the retirement flexibilities webpage as more information becomes available.
We will write directly to all members to make them aware of the proposed changes.
To ensure those members closest to retirement have a chance to consider the proposed changes before finalising their retirement plans, the DHSC has asked that we start sending letters to those closest to normal pension age from mid-January 2023, ahead of the consultation closing.
Resources and factsheets on this webpage will be updated to coincide with any changes being introduced.
Allocation
If you're in good health you can choose to give up part of your own pension to provide a pension for someone when you die.
This can be to a spouse, civil partner, qualifying partner, child or someone who is dependent on you for support. You must nominate before you retire and you cannot reverse this decision once made.
Read the Member Allocation factsheet (PDF:129KB) for more information
You can apply by using the AW9/11A application form (PDF:130KB)
Retirement lump sums
If you have pension benefits in the 1995 Section or you opted to move to the 2008 Section, you'll automatically receive a lump sum when you retire.
If you’re in the 2008 Section or 2015 Scheme, you can ask to take some of your pension as a lump sum.
Use the pension commutation calculator (Excel: 20.1KB) to work out what you may get if you choose to exchange some of your pension in return for a lump sum on retirement.
If you use the calculator, only input benefit figures provided on your Annual Benefit Statement.
Read the retirement guide (PDF: 1.16MB) for more information.
Read our trivial commutation factsheet (PDF: 188KB) for more information about the trivial commutation of small pensions.
How to apply
Watch this video if you’re an active member:
Download the video transcript (PDF: 99KB).
For more information you can view our Active member flowchart (PDF: 79KB).
Watch this video if you’re a deferred member:
Download the video transcript (PDF:98KB).
For more information you can view our Deferred member flowchart (PDF: 63KB).
Bank payment details if you live abroad
Read the bank payments overseas factsheet (PDF: 68.4KB) before completing the relevant form:
Pension award supporting information
Read the relevant Key Notes for more detailed information about your pension award.
These include:
- how your benefits have been worked out
- survivor benefits
- retirement lump sums
- pay information
- membership
- pensions increase
- pension sharing or earmarking
1995 Section (PDF: 144KB)2008 Section (PDF: 199KB)2015 Scheme (PDF: 137KB)Ill health retirement (PDF: 170KB)
Returning to work after you get your pension
If you're considering returning to work after taking your pension benefits, or you have already returned to work, you can find more information on our re-employment webpage.
The government is consulting on proposed changes to allow all members to return to work and rejoin the NHS Pension Scheme following retirement, if they wish to.
Read your options for a flexible retirement.
The consultation will close on 30 January 2023. After it has closed, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will publish the outcome of the consultation and we'll update the retirement flexibilities webpage as more information becomes available.
Resources and factsheets on this webpage will be updated to coincide with any changes being introduced.