Transferring service into the HSC Pension Scheme
The HSC Pension Scheme allows you to apply to transfer previous rights into the HSC Pension Scheme subject to meeting time limits and HMRC approval.
If you have been a member of another pension scheme you can apply to transfer your pension rights into the HSC Pension Scheme to buy additional membership.
It is important to note that if you have been a member of an NHS pension scheme elsewhere in the UK your benefits will not transfer automatically to the HSC Pension Scheme and the transfer must be requested from the receiving scheme.
When you join the HSC Pension Scheme, you can transfer your pension credit from a previous scheme provided that:
- you apply for a transfer within 12 months of entering pensionable HSC service
- the previous scheme meets HMRC requirements
- you request the transfer before your normal pension age (NPA) which is 60 for the 1995 section, 65 for the 2008 section of the scheme and State pension age for 2015 members
You can transfer most pension benefits, mainly from schemes approved by HMRC, such as public sector schemes (club schemes), personal pension plans and overseas schemes if they are a Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS).
If you are transferring from a scheme other than a NHS scheme in the UK, you are not committing yourself to a transfer of pension benefits by making an enquiry. We will provide you with an “estimate” of the service or pension credit that the transfer value from your former pension provider will provide in the HSC Pension Scheme. You have the option to proceed with the transfer at this point and the decision is entirely up to you.
If you complete a transfer in from a Club scheme on or after 28 January 2015 then any growth in HSC Pension benefits arising from a pensionable pay increase, because of the move between Club schemes, will be taken into account when calculating the pension input amount for Annual Allowance purposes. Any adjustment to HSC pension benefits because of differences between the HSC Pension Scheme and the transferring Club scheme will not be included.
A transfer can only proceed on Club terms if the gap between leaving the sending scheme and joining the receiving scheme is less than five years. If the gap is more than five years then the transfer must be completed on non-Club terms.
Please note that HSC Pension Service staff are unable to provide financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice if you are not sure about your decision to transfer.
There are three main types of schemes which we can accept a transfer from:
- NHS pension schemes in Scotland, England or Wales
- Public sector transfer arrangements (Club transfers)
- Occupational or personal pension schemes usually private sector pensions (Non-Club transfers)
| 1995 Section |
| Any pension rights transferred in will increase the amount of membership that you have and will therefore increase your benefits in the HSC Pension Scheme. Transferred in benefits will be treated in the same way as our HSC Pension Scheme benefits. |
| 2008 Section |
| Applications to transfer benefits into the Scheme must be made within 12 months of becoming eligible to join the Scheme for the first time and before the Normal Pension Age. Special rules apply to HSC employees transferring from HSC Pension Schemes elsewhere in the UK. |
| 2015 Section |
| Applications to transfer benefits into the Scheme must be made within 12 months of becoming eligible to join the Scheme for the first time and before the Normal Pension Age. Special rules apply to HSC employees transferring from HSC Pension Schemes elsewhere in the UK. |
Important notice: A transitional member (a member of the 2015 Scheme who is also a member of the 1995/2008 Scheme) retains the right to apply for a transfer into the 1995 or 2008 section if the application is made within 12 months of being eligible to join the 1995 or 2008 section respectively.
If you wish to apply to transfer previous rights into the HSC Pension Scheme you will need to read and complete the Transfer in Guide which is available to download or you can request one from your employer.
The following link takes you to the Civil Service pension scheme website where you can find general information and guides about the Club: http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
More information about Club transfers is given in the Transfer In Guide and application pack.