Following January’s article on payable dates, NHS Pensions would like to remind employers of setting the correct employment start date when a member retires and returns.
For example, if a member’s last day of service (LDOS) is 04/12/2025, their payable date and 24-hour break should be 05/12/2025. Their re-employment date should be 06/12/2025.
Employers and members must factor this into retire and return discussions, including the impact of any untaken annual leave that extends the LDOS, resulting in a change to both the pension payable date and the re‑employment date.
You should also consider any changes to the payable date, LDOS or re‑employment date that may occur between the application being submitted and the payable date.
If the re-employment start date is on or before the payable date, a joiner error is generated and must be investigated to confirm the member’s eligibility for benefit payment.
If a 24‑hour break is not confirmed, the pension must be stopped until either a 24‑hour break has been taken or a Partial Retirement application is submitted. Any pension overpaid would need to be repaid by the member.