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RETIREMENT PROCESS

This document is available in Braille, large text and electronic format on request. NB. Where it refers to “write” or “in writing” in this document, this means that the information is available in other formats to all parties concerned.

1 CONTENTS

Page(s)

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. PROCESS 3

3. FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT 3-4

APPENDIX 1 – RETIREMENT AWARD APPLICATION 5-7

APPENDIX 2 – USEFUL INFORMATION 8-10

2 1. INTRODUCTION

This process have been developed in order to provide information for staff who are retiring and accessing their pension benefits. The process to be followed when applying for pension benefits is outlined, and useful contacts for further information are also included.

2. PROCESS

2.1 Staff who wish to retire should inform their manager at least three months prior to their anticipated retirement date.

2.2 The relevant Human Resources Advisor for the Clinical Business Unit should be informed of this; and will send an AW8 form (Application for Retirement Benefits) to the staff member.

2.3 The staff member should complete the relevant sections of the AW8 form and contact the Human Resource Advisor to arrange a meeting.

2.4 At this meeting, the Human Resources Advisor will check the AW8 and relevant documentation, eg birth certificate, marriage certificate.

2.5 The Human Resources Advisor will then send the AW8 form to the Pensions Team at Capita for processing.

2.6 Staff must ensure that any annual leave accrued up to the date of retirement is used prior to leaving. Annual leave is pensionable and no payment can be made for unused annual leave at the date of retirement.

2.6 Please note that it is advised that staff complete their AW8 form (Application for Retirement Benefits) at least four months in advance of retirement date in order for pension benefits to be paid on time. A late application may result in a delay in pension benefits being paid.

3. FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT

3.1 Staff considering retirement may wish, as an alternative, to request to reduce their working hours or combine their pension with continuing to work in a different capacity with fewer responsibilities or on reduced hours. There are provisions in the NHS Pension Scheme which make this possible. These include:

3.2 Winding Down

This involves working fewer hours in an existing post. Pensions for part time staff are actually calculated on the whole time equivalent salary, so moving from full to part time work, will not reduce the amount of service at retirement.

3.3 Stepping Down.

3 Step down into a less demanding job with the option to freeze the pension already earned and to start another pension based on the step down pay.

3.4 Retire and Return to Work.

If an individual is over 60 years of age this will have an effect on the pension payments and could affect the individual’s tax position.

Anyone aged under 60, with the exception of those who have taken an actuarially reduced pension:

 Cannot earn more through pension and post retirement employment than their salary at retirement. When this occurs, the pension is reduced to bring the total income down to the level required,

 Cannot work more than 16 hours a week in the first calendar month.

 Must have a break of at least 14 days.

Staff who retire and return to work will be issued with a new contract of employment from Capita.

3.5 The Trust will aim to support staff who may wish to pursue any of these options subject to service requirements. Each case will be considered on an individual basis. Staff should discuss their request with their line manager. Advice should be sought from the relevant Human Resources Advisor or Business Partner for the Clinical Business Unit.

4 APPENDIX 1

APPLICATION FOR RETIREMENT AWARD

TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYEE:

Personal Details

Name:……………………………………………….….. ……………………………………………… (Block Capitals)

Present post held: …..…………………………….……. Personal number: ………….…

Location: …….…………………………………………… Contact number: ………………

Date of Commencement of Service: ……………….. Number of Years: ……………

Date of last day of work: ……………………………… Home Address:

Details of post(s) held (most recent first) and reason(s) for any break in NHS Service e.g Maternity Leave

Dates Employer/Hospital Post Held From To

5 Please complete overleaf

APPLICATION FOR RETIREMENT AWARD

CHOICE OF AWARD PLEASE TICK a) Cash (Tax & NI is deducted from Cash Awards) b) Gift Vouchers (please tick vouchers required):- Marks & Spencer  Argos  Arcadia Group – Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Top Man, Top Shop, Wallis, Miss Selfridge, Outfit, Evans)  I certify that the details given overleaf are correct

Signed: …………………………………………….…………………. Date: ………………………………...

PLEASE FORWARD THIS FORM TO YOUR MANAGER

TO BE COMPLETED BY MANAGER

I verify that the above details are correct:

Name: (block capitals) Designation: Location and telephone number: Signature: …………………………………… Date application signed: …………………………......

Please forward completed form to: Human Resources Dept, Hostel 3, Trust Offices, Parkbourn, Maghull, Liverpool. L31 1HW

Date verified: ………………………………… Human Resources Manager: ………………

6 FINANCE USE ONLY Initials Date Notes 1. Retirement Award

£ ………………………… 2. Letter re: Gift Vouchers 3. Entered in Register 4. To payroll for processing (Cash Awards only)

7 APPENDIX 2

Retirement – Useful Information

Pre-Retirement Course Information The Trust currently offers a Pre-Retirement Course for those employees who are approaching retirement and who would benefit from an opportunity to consider the implications that this will have on their lives. The one day course is open to all Mersey Care NHS Trust staff who are approaching retirement within the next two years – permission must be obtained from your Line Manager prior to booking a place. At the end of the course, participants will:

 Have a greater understanding of the NHS Superannuation Scheme  Be aware of the benefits and process of preparing a valid will  Have a knowledge of state pensions, benefits and tax  Be aware of methods of financial planning and investments  Be aware of the flexible retirement options available in Mersey Care

For further information please email [email protected] All information in relation to pre-employment courses will be circulated via the communications team and information is available through Mersey Care’s Website in the Learning and Development section.

Retirement Award Information Mersey Care NHS Trust values it’s long serving members of staff and recognises the experience such staff bring to their work. When these staff decide to leave the Trust on retirement, it is felt that their dedication to Mersey Care NHS Trust in particular, and the NHS in general, should be acknowledged and recognised. To qualify for a retirement award, the member of staff must be working for Mersey Care NHS Trust at the time of their retirement from the health service. Current award amounts are:-

Mersey Care NHS Trust previously North Mersey Community NHS Trust staff – after 5 years and up to 20 years service will receive £50.00 worth of gift vouchers / cheque. If they have completed 20 years service or more they will receive £5.00 for every year

8 served plus £50.00 which will all be in vouchers / cheque e.g. £50.00 and 24 years service x £5.00 = £170.00

Mersey Care NHS Trust staff previously employed by University Hospital Aintree Trust will receive £100.00 whatever the service.

Mersey Care NHS Trust staff previously employed by North Sefton & West Lancashire Trust will receive £100.00

Mersey Care NHS Trust staff previously employed by Ashworth Hospital will receive £50.00

If the employee has requested a cash payment this will be subject to a deduction of tax and national insurance and is paid through your salary. The retirement award form can be found in Appendix 1.

For further advice and information please contact your allocated HR advisor.

Payroll Pension Officer Information For further guidance on NHS pension entitlement, calculations and personal forecasts, employees should contact the Payroll Pension Officer: - Payroll and Pensions, PO Box 185, Bootle, L30 4XG. Telephone:- 0844 324 5298.

NHS Pension Scheme Information For further guidance on NHS pensions employees can also contact the NHS Pensions Agency on 0845 421 4000 or by visiting www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions and have your pension reference or National Insurance number ready. Address: NHS Pensions Division Hesketh House 200-220 Broadway Fleetwood Lancashire FY7 8LG

9 Department of Work and Pensions Information Employees who do not have an NHS pension can contact the Department of Work and Pensions, for details on state pensions on 0845 6060265 or by visiting www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

Additional Staffing Information Staff may want to consider becoming a member of the Trusts “Bank Staff”. The Trust has a range of bank schemes that allow staff to work as and when they want to. This may well fit with their retirement plans and supplement their income whilst maintaining their skills and experience.

For further information contact the Additional Staffing Team on: - 0151 471 2338