You might be entitled to MHO status if you:
- were granted MHO status on or before 6 March 1995 and have not had a break in pensionable membership of 5 years or more
- spend 80% or more of your time in direct treatment and care of mentally ill patients
Direct treatment and care means ‘contractual duties or activities which must be undertaken where the patient is present.’
If you think you’re entitled to MHO status, contact your employer.
You can read more information about MHO status on our website.
Doubling your MHO membership
After 20 years of MHO membership, each additional year is worth 2 years for benefit purposes. This is the same for part-time members.
Only every complete year will count.
Added years (AY) and additional pension (AP) do not count towards the doubling you receive.
Other work may count towards the 20 years needed to double membership.
Transferring back into the Scheme
Doubling can still happen if you transferred back into the Scheme before 6 March 1995 and within 5 years of leaving.
Transferring out or leaving the scheme
If you have doubled years and leave or transfer from the Scheme, they’ll count towards your pension.
Break in service
If you have a break in service of less than 5 years, you can keep your MHO status.
Retirement
You can retire without taking any reduction from age 55 if you've had 20 years under MHO membership.
You must be in pensionable MHO employment on the day you retire.
Part-time members
Part-time members can be granted MHO status if you're eligible.
MHO status can be backdated for part-time membership to 8 April 1976 if you were:
- in NHS employment
- contributing to the Scheme on 14 January 1999
Part-time members may also be entitled to MHO status if all of the following apply:
- you were not in NHS employment and a Scheme member on 14 January 1999
- you were in NHS employment as an MHO on 6 March 1995
- you rejoined the Scheme after 14 January 1999