This will depend on your employment status before you retire.
In NHS employment
If you’re in NHS employment you must complete a AW8P if you:
- opted out of the scheme over 5 years ago unless you're a Special Class (SC) or Mental Health Officer (MHO) member who opted out due to maximum age or membership
- have membership in all 3 pension schemes and are claiming your 1995 Section benefits only
- have membership in the 1995 Section and 2015 Scheme but had a break in pensionable employment of more than 5 years between leaving the 1995 Section and joining the 2015 Scheme and are claiming your 1995 Section benefits only
- have membership in the 2008 Section and 2015 Scheme but had a break in pensionable employment of more than 5 years between leaving the 2008 Section and joining the 2015 Scheme and are claiming your 2008 Section benefits only including those who also have membership in the 1995 Section
- are in receipt of Special Class (SC) benefits but chose to defer your pre 17 May 1990 membership and now want to claim them.
If you’re in NHS employment and do not meet the criteria for an AW8P, contact your employer for a AW8. They can get this from the Employer Hub.
Not in NHS employment
If you’re no longer in NHS employment, complete a AW8P.
For guidance on completing the AW8 or AW8P application form you can:
More than one NHS employer
If you’ve worked for more than one NHS employer, you need to submit one AW8 form. This must go to the employer where you worked most hours. If you work the same hours for each employer, submit the AW8 to who you would class as your main employer. Tell the other employer(s) that you’re wanting to retire.
Once we've received the AW8 form, we’ll contact the other employer(s) to request any further information needed to calculate benefits.
Processing your application
If you’ve completed an AW8 or AW8P application form it can be submitted by your employer up to 105 days before your intended retirement date.
We’ll aim to pay your lump sum, if applicable, on the day after your intended retirement date.
Your pension will be paid one calendar month after your retirement date. We’ll notify you of the benefits you’ll receive and when they’ll be paid.
This may be later depending on your circumstances.
Any arrears will always be payable from your chosen retirement date.
Annual rate of cessation
The annual rate at cessation is the actual annual salary on your last day of pensionable employment.