Apply for your NIFRS Pension

A Step by Step Guide to applying for your NIFRS Pension

• Ensure that you meet the age and service requirements for the scheme(s) you are a member of. Usually this means you will have reached age 55 at the date you wish to retire.
• Before applying for your pension, you should request an estimate from HSC Pension Service to get an accurate idea of what your pension benefits will be worth upon retirement. You can request an estimate up to one year in advance of your retirement date (estimates are currently taking up to 3 months from the date we receive your request, as we have to request your pensionable pays from your payroll department).
• Once you have decided on your retirement date, you will be required to complete and submit a Retirement/Resignation Form (SC47) and Statement of Leave Form (S48(a) – ordinary retirement or SC48(b) – ill-health retirement) for NIFRS as your employer.  These forms can be located on NIFRS Global Drive under SC Forms.  Once completed please submit to the relevant departments as noted on the forms.
• Once you have reviewed your pension estimate, you must then complete your AW6 form and submit it directly to HSC Pensions (This process can take up to two months from the date that we receive your completed pension application forms from your employer).

• Ill-Health / Injury Retirements

  Ill-Health Retirement

  If  you have enough service to qualify for a pension and you become permanently disabled for the performance of the duties of your roll, you may be considered for an ill health pension provided that you have not reached normal pension age.

  There are two tiers of ill health pensions.

  To qualify for a Lower Tier ill-health pension – you must be deemed incapable of performing any of the duties of the roll in which the member was last employed.

  To qualify for a Higher Tier ill-health pension – you must be deemed incapable of engaging in any regular employment.

  Injury Retirement

  If you have had a work place/work related qualifying injury, you may be entitled to an Injury gratuity as well as an Injury pension.

   

• Early Retirement

  Members may be eligible to retire from all schemes at age 55.