Following a period of consultation, the Department of Health have agreed changes to the NHS Pension scheme. These changes will help staff who are eligible for retirement to work flexibly with the opportunity to draw their pension and return to work without affecting their NHS Pension.
For staff nearing retirement, or for retired staff who are looking to return to the NHS, there are a couple of choices available to you. This page will tell you a little bit more about your options to help you make an informed decision on whether Partial Retirement, or Retire and Return, could be for you.
Click here for detailed information on flexible working and retirement
Retire and re-join the NHS Pension Scheme (from 1 April 2023)
If you’re not ready to stop work altogether, you can retire and take your full pension, then return to work after a short break and re-join the NHS Pension Scheme to keep building your future pension benefits.
This is called retire and re-join. It’s already available to members in the 2008 Section and 2015 Scheme.
If you decide to re-join the NHS, you can work as many hours as you choose, and your pension payments won’t be reduced or stopped (known as ‘abatement’).
You can re-join the NHS Pension Scheme even if you have 45 years of service in the 1995 or 2008 Section, as long as you’re under the age of 75.
Individuals considering this option should discuss with their line manager the terms on which they will be able to return following retirement. Depending on the circumstances, it may not be possible to return to the same role – which may affect your decision.
Click here for detailed information on flexible working and retirement
Partial retirement
With partial retirement you can claim your pension, whilst continuing to work, but without having to take a break and leave your job. It’s already available to members of the 2008 Section and 2015 Scheme and from I October 2023, it is available to members of the 1995 Section, too.
From 1 October 2023, you will be able to take between 20% and 100% of your pension benefits, without having to leave your current job.
You can continue building your pension in the 2015 Scheme.
You won’t need to take a break or change jobs, but you will need to work with your employer to adjust your hours or reshape your contract so your “pensionable pay” is reduced by 10% for the first year (or your pensionable commitment by 10% if you’re a Practitioner).
Click here for detailed information on flexible working and retirement
For more information or guidance email: merseycare
See how flexible retirement could work for you:
Not sure which option is best for you? Compare the options using the table below:
|
Retire and Return |
Partial Retirement (from 1 October 2023) |
|
Member must leave employment with a minimum of 24 hours break |
Members can continue to work whilst taking pension benefits |
|
Re-employed on a new contract of employment |
Contract of employment continues unchanged BUT- opportunity to discuss flexible working options |
|
Members must take all benefits at once |
Members can take some or all of their pension |
|
Until 1 October, retire and return the only route for 1995 section members to access benefits in and continue to work in the NHS |
Option to join 2015 Scheme |
|
Option to join 2015 Scheme |
Seamless, supports gradual transition from working life to retirement |
|
24- hours break needed |
No break in service needed |
|
|
At least 10% reduction in pensionable pay agreed between employee and employer (12 months) |
Source: NHS England » Retire and return