Pension Awareness Week is all about helping to raise awareness of the importance of pensions. Throughout the week we’ll be sharing information on the NHS Pension Scheme, what it is and why it’s so valuable.
Before you apply
Before applying for your pension, you should read our retirement guide and factsheet.
Retirement Guide (PDF: 4.68MB)
Retirement Factsheet (PDF: 160KB) We also have videos that explain how to apply for your pension: Applying for your pension | NHSBSA
Receiving your pension
Once you’ve applied for your pension it’s paid into your nominated bank account in equal amounts on the same day each month.
NHS pensions are subject to an annual increase based upon the consumer price index (CPI) as laid down by HM Treasury every year.
The increase will be applied to your pension at the beginning of April in the new tax year.
Find out more about this increase: Useful information for pensioners | NHSBSA
Not ready to retire?
There are flexibilities that can help you transition from work to retirement. Perhaps partial retirement could work for you? Read more about partial retirement: Partial retirement | NHSBSA
Re-employment following retirement
You can return to work after you've taken your pension benefit if you choose to.
From 1 April 2023, if you have 1995 Section benefits you can also return to NHS employment after retirement and build up further pension benefits in the 2015 Scheme.
This is already available to members of the 2008 Section or 2015 Scheme and from 1 April 2023, it’ll also be an option for members who have retired with 1995 Section benefits.
Find out more: Re-employment | NHSBSA