NHS Pension Early Retirement, How Will It Be Reduced?

Q. With all the recent announcements regarding proposed changes to the NHS Pension Scheme, I have heard that the actuarial reduction percentages have changed for members that are looking to take benefits prior to normal retirement date. Can you please clarify the position? A. The good news is that the percentage reductions have reduced slightly. As [...]

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NHS Pension Changes & A Trip To Paris!

Since I last ‘put pen to paper’, much has been going on. Firstly, the strikes. Whether you agree with them or not, the ongoing pensions debate was the root cause for many public sector workers walking out. With regards to the NHS Pension, the amount you are contributing is due to increase in April 2012. [...]

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NHS Life Insurance – Even When You Retire! – Hot Topics Q & A

Q. I am a 58 year old Consultant who had a family quite late.  As a result we have 3 children either doing A levels or at University. We plan to pay all their course and living expenses and were wondering about taking out a life policy on my life for, say, the next 7 years ‘just [...]

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The NHS Pension & The Hutton Report – Hot Topics Q & A

Q. As a 53 year old dentist working in the hospital service, I am worried that the Hutton Review on Public Pensions will affect my pension with the NHS. At present I would like to retire or semi retire at age 55, and retire fully age 60. Are my existing years service safe, and what about future [...]

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NHS Pension Added Years vs Personal Pension – Hot Topics Q&A

Q. I am a Dental Principal aged 44 and am looking to save more money towards my retirement and would prefer to invest in a pension due to the tax relief available. Can you please advise me whether I should invest via a personal pension scheme or via purchasing additional pension (formerly added years) via the [...]

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NHS Pension Scheme – Is Tax Relief Available On ‘Top Ups’? – Hot Topics Q & A

Q. I wanted to know if tax relief is available when additional pension is bought from the NHS scheme as it is when putting money into a personal pension. I have a children only dental contract and do not make the same contributions as I did when I fully worked as an NHS dentist. I am not [...]

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Holidays & Snippets of News

I hope those of you who have been away recently on holiday had a really good break. Recharging the batteries is so important, and I know in August many clients arrange it so they can get away and enjoy some family time. We did our usual jaunt to Saundersfoot in South West Wales, and had [...]

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NHS Pensions Added Years- How To Purchase – Hot Topics Q&A

Q. I’m aware that I’m not going to accrue the full 40 years in the NHS Pension Superannuation Scheme as I did not qualify until I was aged 25. I’ve heard about buying ‘added years’. Can you tell me how to go about this? A. Until April 2008, buying added years was available.  Many people [...]

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NHS Pension Choices – The Key Factors

If you are a member of the NHS pension scheme, you will soon be asked to make a very important decision. That is, should you remain in the current version of the scheme (applies if you were a member pre-April 2008) or should you transfer to the new version (post-April 2008). To help, the NHS [...]

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Income Tax Rises 2010 – Will You Be Affected?

Large rises in income tax are due to take effect from next April for people earning over £100,000. New rates of tax were announced by the Government in the recent budget and they are going to hit many of our clients hard!  This is because our clients tend to be higher earners, with many in [...]

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