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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: 178KB) provides more detail about the different pension schemes you could have pension benefits in.
Read the retirement guide (PDF: 4.68MB) before applying for your pension.
What you'll get
There are different types of retirement.
Partial retirement
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 1995/2008 member guide is being updated to reflect the changes to retire and return from 1 April 2023.
From 1 October 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is introducing changes to make it simpler to take partial retirement, meaning you can claim your pension and work in a more flexible way without having to leave your job.
Taking part of your pension benefits is also sometimes known as 'draw down'.
This is already possible for pension benefits you've earned in the 2008 Section or 2015 Scheme and from 1 October 2023, it will also include any 1995 Section benefits you have.
From age 55 you'll be able to take between 20% and 100% of all your pension benefits in one or two drawdown payments, without having to leave your current job.
Read your options for a flexible retirement.
Resources and factsheets on this webpage will be updated to coincide with the changes being introduced.
From 1 April 2023, all members including members who have retired with 1995 Section benefits, will have the option to retire and re-join the pension scheme.
If you're considering returning to work after taking your pension benefits, you can find more information on our re-employment webpage.
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: 4.68MB) 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)