Nhs Pension Arrangements For Staff Who Have Retired And Returned ?

[Jaidyn]

I retired from the NHS a few years ago ( after 38 yrs service) and heeded Boris’s call to return .
So between April 2020 I have done a fair bit of work in Covid areas and have now got a senior post in a Major Vaccination Hub - working 50 plus hours a week - been there 3 months - it’s the most amazing role I have ever had -I pay tax etc on my wages
I am not earning a huge amount but I have just found that I will probably lose my NHS pension now for the whole of next year - something I have already earns the right to because I have exceed a limit - to make it worse
I understand doctors are exempt from this regulation - I As Nurse am not - if I tell you I will lose £14,000 next year and have to be kept by my husband then you may see why I am so cross - why am I being treated differently than a Doctor and why am I being punished for returning to nursing during a pandemic when I am I in my 60’s ?
Any ideas how I can appeal ?

[Peter Pedant]

yes
// If staff have already taken their pension, the government is removing any restrictions on the amount of work they can do without losing any of their pension during the emergency. ... This new rule will apply both to retired staff returning to the NHS and those who have already returned to work//

and so you dont need our advice
you need your employers advice and that of either RCN or your union

[Jaidyn]

Thank you - do I have to apply or will it happen automatically?

[Peter Pedant]

ask the union reps at your work place

[Zacs-Master]

https://www.nhsemployers.org/covid19/staff-terms-and-conditions/returning-to-work-in-the-nhs

https://www.nhsemployers.org/covid19/staff-terms-and-conditions/staff-terms-and-conditions-faqs/pensions

[Buenchico]

If you've reached 'normal pension age' (which will depend upon which section of the pension scheme you fall under), your pension should NOT be affected by your return to work within the NHS.

It's only people who've not yet reached 'normal pension age' whose pensions might be subject to 'abatement' (i.e. a reduction):
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/Returning%20to%20work%20after%20retirement%20factsheet%20%28V6%29%2005.2018.pdf

[Hopkirk]

If you are affected, I suggest you write to your MP.

[david small]

That is nothing less than scandalous. I hope it gets sorted you should not lose a penny. Thank you for your services.

[bluemoon1]

Why are you working if it will leave you financially worse off?

[Jaidyn]

Why indeed? I AMA asking myself that sitting here in my kitchen at 545 am about to set off for a 12 hr shift supervising ( and undertaking ) vaccinating over 65 and healthcare staff today
But as a nurse of 43 years you just do what you have to do to get our lives back .I need to travel and enjoy life with my partner to again and go to a tea house and have afternoon tea and go for a pub lunch and take the dog to the beach - everything we all want to do
So I am ‘doing my bit’ I can’t sit at home when I have the skills to help but this does make me question myself and my vocation
I will contact the pensions agency as suggested and take it from there - if it is true then at least what I earn after April may not affect it in 2022/23 as I won’t be working as much .It is the disparity between nurses and doctors that irritates me because they work in partnership with us vaccinating
Thanks everyone and please get a vaccine if you are offered one - we promise to be gentle !

[Jaidyn]

Buenchico - the fact sheet you linked me to 2018 - when we were alll blissfully unaware of what was coming - I’ll check the info re Covid emergency legislation

[murraymints]

thank you Jaidyn xx

[New Judge]

//If you are affected, I suggest you write to your MP.//

Or, for better results, the Daily Mail. Writing to your MP will, if you're lucky, get an acknowledgement of your letter, but that's it.