If you return to NHS work after ill health retirement, you may be able to re-join the NHS Pension Scheme.
1995 Section
You can re-join the Scheme if:
Not exchanged your pension for a one-off lump sum due to terminal illness
You did not exchange your pension for a one-off lump sum payment due to terminal illness.
Retired before 1 April 2008
You’re under age 50 and re-joining for the first time.
Retired on or after 1 April 2008 with a Tier 1 ill health pension
You’re under age 50 and re-joining for the first time.
Retired on or after 1 April 2008 with a Tier 2 ill health pension
You can re-join the Scheme 12 months after you start further employment in the NHS if you’re under age 50. If you re-join, you’ll be paid a Tier 1 pension in place of the Tier 2 pension.
Special Class (SC) or Mental Health Officer (MHO) status
If you had SC or MHO status and re-joined before 50, you can keep this status if your break in employment was less than 5 years.
2008 Section and 2015 Scheme
You can re-join the Scheme if:
- you’re aged under 75
- you’ve not exchanged your pension for a one-off lump sum payment due to terminal illness
- 2008 Section only - you retired from the 2008 Section and have not built up 45 years Scheme membership.
You can re-join the Scheme 12 months after you start further employment. If you re-join, you’ll be paid a Tier 1 pension in place of the Tier 2 pension.