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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.
Once you reach 55 years old, or 50 if you have a protected minimum pension age, you can choose to take part, or all of your pension benefits while you continue working in NHS employment and build your pension benefits in the 2015 Scheme. This is called partial retirement – it may also be known as drawdown
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 1 October the amount of pension benefits you can take through partial retirement is also changing. You'll e 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.
You can find more information on our partial retirement 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 AW8/11A 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
When you are retiring you need to apply for your NHS pension using the appropriate application form.
Depending on what type of member you are you will need:
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)