Following the release of Total Reward Statements (TRS) and annual benefit statements (ABS), NHS Pensions has received enquiries regarding the retirement age for Special Class transitional members showing as age 60.
If a member held Special Class status and has transitioned to the 2015 Scheme their normal pension age will show as age 60 on the 1995 tab of their TRS/ABS. The member will still be able to claim their 1995 Section pension benefits at age 55 subject to the usual special class criteria being met. The estimated figures are correct.
In order to retire at age 55 a member must have spent the whole of the last five years pensionable employment in a health service scheme as a Special Class member. Breaks in employment will be ignored when assessing this period but the last five years of pensionable membership must be as a Special Class member in order to retire from age 55. A member must be in a Special Class post immediately prior to retirement regardless of the fact that they have moved to the 2015 Section of the Scheme.