Service Leavers Guide © Crown Copyright, images from www.defenceimages.mod.uk. Other images © English Churches Housing Group; Housing Matters magazine; Photogen; Royal British Legion; SaBRE; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; Xpax. Service Leavers’ Guide

This booklet has been produced to The information in this booklet is not a provide help and advice on a range of defi nitive statement of the law. All topics as you plan for your transition to contact details were correct at time of civilian life. It aims to give useful print (04/2014). It can also be found on information on the sort of help you can Defence intranet at: get, who can provide it and the action https://www.gov.uk/government/ you need to take. publications/service-leavers-pack

Termination Timeline

Arrange to have fi nal medical at your current unit Arrange dental examination 9 – 6 months Arrange Resettlement Offi cer interview Arrange assignment to terminating unit if needed (RN only) Arrange move from MOD accommodation on discharge

6 – 3 Make sure your JPA record is accurate months

Attend fi nal medical examination Claim refund of any resettlement fees Contact the mail offi ce with forwarding address Check medical and dental documents are with terminating unit IMPORTANTSubmit AFPS - applicationcomplete and using return JPA AFPSself-service Form Pen1 3 – 1 Check unit terminating routine months Get a copy of your Testimonial (Army & RAF only) Return all appropriate clothing and equipment Leave MOD accommodation Eligible Foreign or Commonwealth personnel subject to immigration control on discharge should apply for leave to remain in the UK up to 10 weeks before discharge date.

Take terminal leave Last Return Armed Forces ID card month Return service stores and record books (if no reserve liability)

Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process 1 Contents

The Termination Process Page General (including): Medical and Dental 4 JPA Records 5 MOD Accomodation and Terminal Leave 6 Travel Entitlements, Resettlement 7 Resettlement, Jobs and Housing The Career Transition Partnership 10 Regional Resettlement Centres 12 Educational Support 13 The Joint Service Housing Advice Offi ce 15 Housing Matters Magazine and SPACES 16 XPAX 17 Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts General 19 Armed Forces Pension Schemes 20 Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS 75) 22 Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (AFPS 05) 23 Pension Contacts 24 Reserve Forces Pension Schemes 25 Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 05 (RFPS 05) 25 Veterans and War Pension 28 Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 29 Dependant’s Fund & Dependant’s (Income) Trust 30 Other sources of Help-State and Service Charities General 32 Confederation of Service Charities 33 Welfare Assistance 34 Financial Help 35 Health Issues 36 Additional Information for Service Leavers in Scotland 39 Royal British Legion 40 SSAFA 42 Reserve Forces and Cadets Reserve Liability 46 Defence Discount Service 49 Royal Navy Reserves 50 Royal Marines Reserve 52 Territorial Army 53 RAF Reserves 56 Cadet Forces 58 SaBRE 60 Enclosed in Folder Consent for Release of Personal Details to Charities Form.

2 Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process The Termination Process

Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process 3 General

Before you leave, there are a number of Should you wish to have a fi nal dental important procedures to follow. To help check up you should arrange an you to make the necessary arrangements appointment at a Defence Dental Services in the short time available, we have (DDS) dental centre 6 to 9 months prior to provided a timeline of events, which is completion of service. enclosed in the folder and appears on page 1 of this booklet. Important Do not forget - you will need to register Terminating Routine with a GP and a dentist wherever you All units have their own terminating settle after you leave. routine. They will give you details of what is expected of you at unit level and you You will need to complete a Family should follow that direction in conjunction doctor services registration (GMS1) with the advice given in this guide. to register, this is available from any GP surgery or online. Medical and Dental As a veteran you will be entitled to A full medical examination is required priority access to NHS secondary care for before you leave; this should be carried any conditions which may be related to out approximately 3 months before your your service, whether you receive a war last day of service. disablement pension or Armed Forces If you do not attend your Release Medical Compensation Scheme payment or not. before starting your Terminal Leave your This is subject to the clinical needs of all termination date may be delayed. patients - make sure your GP knows you are a veteran.* For those Subject to Immigration Control Seek guidance in order to ensure that applications for Settlement/Leave to Remain in the UK are made in good time to enable access to public funds, housing assistance and eligibility to work upon discharge.

*These arrangements do not cover Northern Ireland, where the aim is that all patients should have access to treatment within a reasonable timescale.

4 Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process Your JPA Record Mail It is important that you keep your JPA You must remember to give your record up to date, especially during the discharging unit’s mail offi ce a months leading up to your termination forwarding address. If you live in Service date. Information from your JPA record is Families Accommodation (SFA) we used for a number of diff erent things recommend you use the Post Offi ce including; pension payments, delivery of redirect service. You can get more your Certifi cate of Service, Veterans information about this from any Post Badge, P45 and will form (if held). Offi ce or visit: www.royalmail.com You are able to change some of the Personal References details yourself whilst others require the If you would like a personal reference assistance of a HR administrator. You must your line manager, without obligation, update your permanent home address may be able to provide you with one. details into those of your post- You must arrange it yourself, please termination address; this is vital as your allow plenty of time. P45 and all other post termination paperwork will be sent to this address. Security This is not the same action as “update If you have travel plans remember to post discharge contact details” check with your security staff . This mentioned on page 10 of this guide. applies for 2 years from your termination Once you have changed your permanent date, unless you have DV clearance, in home address, ask your Unit HR staff to which case it applies for 5 years. annotate this address as your “Primary Address” on JPA. If you are unsure about Service Clothing and Equipment any of this, you should approach your HR These must be returned before you start administrator without delay. your terminal leave, but you will retain some items if you have a Reserve Liability.

Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process 5 Leaving MOD Accommodation If you are admitted to hospital during Occupants of Single Living your terminal leave make sure that your Accommodation (SLA) should make family, friends, or the hospital staff arrangements to hand accommodation contact your unit to let them know the back. If you live in Service Families nature of your illness or injury and the Accommodation (SFA) your rent may go length of time you expect to be in up if you do not move out. Make sure you hospital. Your last day of service may be notify Defence Infrastructure Organisation extended to cover the period you are an (DIO) of your termination date. in-patient. Terminal Leave Armed Forces Act 06 If you have completed your training and You are subject to the Armed Forces Act served over 6 months, you will be 06 until your termination date. Once you entitled to terminal leave. You will get have left the Service you can still be one day for each completed month of charged with any off ence committed reckonable service up to a maximum against the Act while you were still of 20 days. serving, provided this takes place within six months of your termination date. For Terminal leave is the same as any other the purposes of any disciplinary action leave but you are free to take up paid you will be treated as an ex-Regular and civilian employment during this time. will be tried by Court Martial. Re-Entry After Your Termination Date If you want to re-enter the Services after your termination date you should apply to an Armed Forces Careers Offi ce. Re-entry will depend on your past record, an interview and current vacancies. If you re-enter soon after leaving you may be able to re-join in the same rate or rank held on termination. Your previous Regular reckonable service may count towards seniority, pay and pension.

6 Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process Travel Entitlements on All personnel are entitled to resettlement Termination support, consisting of time, fi nancial If you terminate at your own request, support, and training/upskilling, and travel expenses to your civilian address career advice. The amounts of support will not be paid unless you have more depends on your length of Service and than 4 years service. your reasons for discharge. The amount you can claim will depend Personnel who have served 4 years or less on your country of attestation and where are entitled to join the Future Horizons you are serving at termination. Once you Programme which off ers referral to tackle know your termination date, and where any barriers to employment, and a post- you will be travelling to, your termination discharge tracking service to ensure unit HR admin staff will be able to give personnel gain a route into sustainable you more information. employment, education or further training after leaving. Applications for travel should normally be arranged through your unit HR admin Personnel who have served more than staff and unit travel offi ce. They must 4 years are entitled to support from the give approval before any arrangements Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and are made. access to a range of career preparation and job fi nding support. Claims for motor mileage allowance (MMA), actual public transport costs or There are 3 tiers of resettlement. The fi rst additional fees should be made on JPA line is your unit Resettlement Information Form F016. You should make sure you Offi ce which off ers you advice on your submit all claims to unit HR admin staff entitlement and the administrative before going on terminal leave. Payments process to access it. will be made through JPA direct to your account. (Please note - all claims may be subject to audit so, to avoid any delays, provide copies of receipts.) The form can be downloaded from the JPA Portal. Resettlement The Tri-Service Resettlement Policy can be found in JSP534 and JSP575. You are responsible for dealing with your resettlement arrangements and, ideally, you will have started the Resettlement process already by having made contact Darren Bickerstaff e with your Service Resettlement Adviser Tel: 07428 705 770 (SRA). Programme Manager Email: DBickerstaff [email protected]

Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process 7 The second line involves the SRA who will give advice and guidance on the resettlement package that will best suit you. The third line is provided by the CTP. When you have completed 4 years service you become entitled to a range of support which includes: individual career advice, transition workshops and briefi ngs on topics including interview techniques, self employment, access to the CTP’s job fi nding service ‘RightJob’, as well as funding for travel and subsistence.

8 Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process Resettlement, Jobs and Housing

Service Leavers Guide | The Termination Process 9 The Career Transition Partnership

The Career When you attend a Career Transition Transition Workshop at your local Regional Partnership (CTP) Resettlement Centre (RRC, see page 12), or is a partnering register for Job Finding Support with your agreement nearest Employment Consultant, you will between the be given instructions on how to register. Ministry of Defence and Right The CTP will aim to establish the type Management Ltd, of job you are looking for, your salary who are global expectations and where you wish to career development and outplacement work. This will be fed into the CTP job specialists and part of the matching database. ManpowerGroup. Finding suitable jobs for the database The CTP provides advice, guidance, and matching Service leavers with the training and support to those leaving requirements of employers is a the military, and also incorporates two continuous process undertaken by the ex-Service charities: the Regular Forces CTP Employment Team. Employment Association (RFEA) and From creating a CV through to learning Offi cers’ Association (OA), who provide interview skills plus researching and job fi nding support to Service leavers up applying for jobs, what the CTP off ers can to two years post-discharge and beyond. help you not just with your fi rst civilian How the Job Finding Service job, but throughout your working lifetime. Employment Consultants work closely Works with local, national and international RightJob is the CTP’s online job fi nding organisations to source and match service that lists thousands of live suitable job vacancies for Service leavers, vacancies for Service leavers, with new and all new vacancies are uploaded to ones being added every day. You can RightJob. You’ll receive regular job alerts browse and search for available jobs by based on the preferences listed in your Industry, Location or Company Name, online profi le, plus employers and receive job notifi cations and alerts via Employment Consultants can also search email and submit job applications the database for Service leavers with the directly to employers. The website is skills they’re looking for, and notify them easy to use and compatible with of current vacancies. smartphones and tablets, plus you’ll fi nd video tips to highlight features on all key areas of the site.

10 Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing The jobs on the database include all promote the skills, experience and strong trades, grades, levels and functions, in all work ethos Service leavers bring with sectors of commerce, industry, charities them after a military career. The and the public sector. You will also be employers themselves gain a high able to access jobs beyond the UK quality, no cost recruitment service and through this database. access to thousands of skilled and qualifi ed individuals. Most recently, the The Armed Forces equips its employees CTP recruitment service is being used by with a vast range of skills applicable to organisations such as Tesco, BAE Systems, many industry sectors and the CTP Barclays, Openreach, Jaguar Land Rover targets a wide range of employers to and Amazon, plus many more.

London - CTP HQ RFEA Mezzanine Floor Tel: 0845 873 7165 75 King William Street, Tel: 0121 236 0058 LONDON. EC4N 7BE Web: www.rfea.org.uk

Senior Offi cers should contact this offi ce. The Offi cers Association All other personnel contact Tel: 020 7808 4160 RRC Northolt. Tel (Benevolence): 0845 873 7153 Web: www.offi cersassociation.org.uk Tel: 0207 469 6661 Email: [email protected] Address for RFEA or Offi cers Association: Web: www.ctp.org.uk First fl oor, Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street, LONDON SW1W 9RB

Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing 11 Regional Resettlement Centres

To book your Career Transition Workshop please call the CTP’s central bookings team on 0203 162 4410. Alternatively, please contact the Regional Resettlement Centre (RRC) closest to where you are based, using the details listed below

RRC Aldergrove RRC Northolt Building 33, Alexander Barracks, Regional Resettlement Centre, Force RAF Aldergrove. BFPO 808 Development Centre, RAF Northolt, West End Tel: 02894 421 638 Mil. Tel: 9491 31639 Road, Ruislip, Middlesex. HA4 6NG Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 8842 6063/6064 Mil. Tel: 95233 6063/6064 RRC Aldershot Email: [email protected] Wellington House, St Omer Barracks, Aldershot, Hants. GU11 2BG RRC Plymouth Tel: 01252 348336/9 Regional Resettlement Centre, Building SO27A, Mil. Tel: 94222 3336/3339 Granby Gate, HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, Email: [email protected] Devon. PL2 2BG Tel: 01752 553376/93 RRC Catterick Mil. Tel: 9375 53376/93 St Aidans Road, Catterick Garrison, Email: [email protected] North Yorkshire. DL9 3AY Tel: 01748 872922 Mil. Tel: 94731 2930 RRC Portsmouth Email: [email protected] R odney Block, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth. PO1 3HH RRC Cottesmore Mil. Tel: 9380 24130 Kendrew Barracks, Oakham, Email: [email protected] Rutland. LE15 7BL Tel: 01572 812241 Ext: 7716 RRC Rosyth Mil. Tel: 95341 7116 B uilding 3016, HMS Caledonia, Email: [email protected] Rosyth, Fife. KY11 2XH Tel: 01383 425086 Mil. Tel: 9335 65086 RRC Herford Email: [email protected] Block 1, Hammersmith Barracks, Germany. BFPO 15 RRC Tidworth Mil. Tel: 94882 3388 Jellalabad Barracks, North Tidworthm, Email: [email protected] Hampshire. SP9 7BQ Tel: 01980 602689 Mil.Tel: 94342 2689 Email: [email protected]

12 Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing Educational Support

The Armed Forces Learning Credits Scheme helps support personal development. Standard Learning Credits (SLC) fund small-scale learning whilst Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) are designed to provide help towards the cost of gaining further or higher education qualifi cation. During your service you may have registered for and made use of ELC which you can continue to claim for up to 10 years after your termination date. To help optimise fi nancial support for Service leavers SLC or ELC can also be combined with the Individual Resettlement Training Cost (IRTC) grant to pay towards the cost of tuition fees. If using ELC the learning from where you can also download a must lead to a nationally recognised claim form. The website provides qualifi cation at Level 3 or above (or links to the full policy and the documents national equivalent) on the National needed to support your application, Qualifi cation Framework/Qualifi cations prove your identify and your period and Credit Framework and the course of service. provider must be on the ELC Administration Service (ELCAS) approved Help and Advice list. Additionally, Service leavers who are For general enquiries about the learning ELC registered and have completed the credit schemes, your eligibility and the appropriate qualifying years of service , qualifi cations you wish to study seek will have the opportunity to access a fi rst advice from your single Service full Level 3 qualifi cation (equivalent to two education/learning and resettlement GCE A levels or vocational equivalent), or adviser, not ELCAS. The ELCAS role is to a fi rst higher education qualifi cation (a administer your application, not provide foundation degree or fi rst undergraduate advice and guidance on your eligibility degree or national equivalent) free from or education or resettlement needs. tuition fees. This support applies to Royal Navy Service leavers who entered their SO3C Resettlement, Floor 3, Leach Building, resettlement or left the armed forces on Whale Island, PORTSMOUTH. PO2 8BY or after 17 July 2008. Again, an approved Tel: 02392 625954 provider must be used. Email: [email protected] Full details of the ELC scheme and the Those personnel still serving in the Royal state subsidy to pay towards the full Navy are not to use this point of contact cost of tuition fees can be found on the but are to consult the staff in their local RN ELCAS website: Education Centre. www.enhancedlearningcredits.co.uk

Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing 13 Army For students living in England the help HQLF, DETS (A), Ramillies Building, is in the form of a loan, which needs to Marlborough Lines, Andover. SP11 8HJ be paid back when you’ve left university Tel: 01264 381 580. and are earning over £21,000 per year, Those personnel still serving in the and a grant (which you do not need to Army are not to use this point of contact pay back). but are to consult staff in their Army Extra non repayable help is available for Education Centre. students in specifi c circumstances, for Royal Air Force example for students with a disability, and for childcare. Learning Credits Administrator, Room 24, Air 22 Training Group Learning Forces, Similar help is available for students Building 28, Hunter Block, living elsewhere in the UK. RAF High Wycombe, Naphill, Buckinghamshire. HP14 4UE For further information: Tel: 01494 495957 or 495603. • If you live in England: Claimants are encouraged to refer to www.gov.uk/student-fi nance the RAF Learning Forces website for • If you live in Scotland: further information. Service leavers in www.saas.gov.uk their resettlement phase are to consult • If you live in Wales: the staff in their local Learning Centre. www.studentfi nancewales.co.uk Other Routes to National Further • If you live in Northern Ireland: and Higher Educational Support www.studentfi nanceni.co.uk As well as the support for tuition fees through the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme, there is separate Government fi nancial help towards living costs for students wishing to study for their fi rst HE qualifi cation. The amount and type of help is diff erent depending on whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and will also depend on your household income and where you decide to study.

FLEET-FOST-TE EL3R RESET SO3C L earning Credits Administrator Floor 3, Leach Building, Whale Island, Room 24, Air 22 Training Group Learning PORTSMOUTH. PO2 8BY Forces, Building 28, Hunter Block, Tel: 02392 625954 RAF High Wycombe, Naphill, Buckinghamshire. HP14 4UE HQLF, DETS (A), ECL Manager Tel: 01494 495957 or 495603 Ramillies Building, Marlborough Lines, ANDOVER. SP11 8HJ Tel: 01264 381580

14 Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing The Joint Service Housing Advice Offi ce (JSHAO)

What is the JSHAO? Housing Solutions briefi ngs which are The JSHAO provides specialist housing designed as mid career presentations information and advice to encourage to highlight the need to make early Service Personnel and their dependants, provision for civilian housing. to consider their civilian housing options and to assist in their transition to civilian The MoD Referral Scheme life. Where possible, we place Service The JSHAO runs the Ministry of Defence persons and their dependants, in suitable Referral Scheme. This scheme may be accommodation and assist Ex-Service able to help you if you are looking for personnel still occupying Service Social Housing on leaving the Service. Accommodation. We have developed links with Local Authorities and Housing Associations Housing Briefi ngs within the UK, who have available We provide Civilian Housing Options housing they wish to be specifi cally briefi ngs that are held at Regional allocated to Service Personnel. Resettlement Centres in the UK and Applications should be made within 6 Education Centres in Germany, Cyprus months of your date of discharge to the and Gibraltar. These one day briefs are JSHAO; you will then be contacted if a designed to give you the information to suitable property becomes available in help you make informed choices on your your chosen area. We cannot guarantee civilian housing. While these briefi ngs are that accommodation will become normally attended in the last 2 years of available, or that applicants will be Service, any Service Personnel and/or housed through the scheme. For more their partner is welcome to attend at any information and application forms visit stage of their Service. We also provide our website or call the offi ce and speak to the MoD Referral Scheme Coordinator. Aff ordable Housing Options Service Personnel (and ex service personnel within 12 months of discharge) have priority status with regard to government aff ordable housing initiatives. Schemes include part buy/part rent and shared equity loans. For more information on the current government housing schemes and MoD funded initiatives available, please contact the JSHAO team.

Joint Service Housing Advice Offi ce Montgomery House, Hammersley Barracks, Queens Avenue, ALDERSHOT. GU11 2JN Tel: Mil: 94222 7574 Civ: 01252 787574 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gov.uk/housing-for-service-personnel-and-families

Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing 15 Housing Matters Single Person Magazine Accommodation Ten months a year the JSHAO produces Centre for the the Housing Matters magazine which has a worldwide distribution of 10,000 copies Ex-Services - SPACES per month. Each month the magazine focuses on a particular region within the If you are single and about to be UK, it also contains information and discharged SPACES may be able to help articles designed to help you when you you fi nd somewhere to live, they are a are considering your civilian housing. housing placement service for single Copies should be easily available within personnel based in Catterick Garrison. your Unit but if you have diffi culty SPACES is tasked by the MoD to help obtaining a copy please ring the JSHAO assist single Service Leavers to fi nd or visit our website. suitable housing, they work with all Service Personnel regardless of rank and SSAFA Housing Advice length of service, they make all referrals When you have left the Service you can to the single persons accommodation still get information, help and advice on available at The Beacon in Catterick and housing matters from SSAFA. Their Mike Jackson House in Aldershot. contact details are on page 43 or you can contact their Housing Offi cer (Information) c/o JSHAO or via the details below.

SPACES is managed by ECHG, SPACES Regional Resettlement Centre part of The Riverside Group, The Beacon, SPACES Offi ce, Marne Road, working with the JSHAO. Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. DL9 3AU Tel: 01748 833797 or 830191 Email: [email protected]

SSAFA Haig Homes Tel (civilian): 01722 436400 Alban Dobson House, Green Lane Military: 94331 2400 Morden, Surrey. SM4 5NS Web: www.ssafa.org.uk/housing Tel: 020 8685 5777 Email: [email protected] Web: www.haighomes.org.uk

16 Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing Service Leavers Guide | Resettlement, Jobs and Housing 17 18 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts

General

Pay Entitlement If your service is terminated from an You will be paid up to and including your overseas unit and want to be paid to date of termination. Before the beginning an overseas account, you must have the of the month in which you are due to local CO’s approval, be emigrating to an terminate, or the start of your termination overseas non EU country and accept leave, you must contact your unit HR liability for all bank charges and adverse Admin staff to make sure your allowance currency conversion rates. entitlements are stopped on the correct dates. If there is not enough money Only one P45 will be issued to your available, arrangements for recovery will primary address on JPA. be made following your termination. Payment of Final Balance Any overpayments or other Service Your fi nal pay will be forwarded on the debts will be deducted from your fi nal payday of the month of termination once pay and/or terminal benefi ts, where any outstanding debts or overpayments possible. If there are insuffi cient funds in have been recovered. the fi nal pay and/or terminal benefi ts you will be contacted after your discharge If you have any questions about your regarding repayment of the monies owed. fi nal pay and allowances, please contact: Any overpayments identifi ed after your fi nal pay and/or terminal benefi ts have Defence Business Services been processed will also be recovered. Military Personnel MP 406, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Address and Bank Account GLASGOW. G2 8EX Information Tel: 0800 085 3600 All monies will be paid into the account Questions about income tax payments used for your monthly pay unless you should be directed to your local revenue change the details on JPA. Any future enquiry offi ce, go to: www.hmrc.gov.uk correspondence will be sent to your for further information. nominated address. (You can change your address and/or account details on State Benefi ts JPA online if you have access, otherwise For Pension forecasts or information and your unit HR admin staff can make the advice about any other state benefi ts go changes for you.) to: www.gov.uk/dwp

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 19 Armed Forces Pension Schemes

These Guidance Notes are intended to the date of your medical discharge but give you a very brief summary of the have applied to aggregate a previous Armed Forces Pension Schemes. Please preserved pension award you will be read them before you submit an AFPS entitled to AFPS 05 ill health benefi ts. application using JPA self-service. Further Information New Armed Forces Pension Further information regarding Scheme (2015) aggregation and how it may aff ect your A new AFPS will be introduced from April pension benefi ts paid on your discharge 2015. If you leave before this date your (EDP, Resettlement Grant, Redundancy pension will be completely unaff ected. Compensation lump sums) can be found If you leave after this date and have in the re-employment booklet Transitional Protection your pension will (MMP/116) which can be found at: still be unaff ected. If you leave after April GOV.UK by searching for; Armed forces 2015 without Transitional Protection you and reserve forces pension schemes: still have accrued rights and all the guidance booklets pension you will have earned up to April 2015 is protected, and you will earn new Taxation. pension under the new scheme. Further Changes to Government pension tax details are available at: policy introduced in 2011 mean that https://www.gov.uk/pensions-and- certain circumstances increase the risk compensation-for-veterans#the-future- of a small number of personnel facing armed-forces-pension-scheme a pension tax charge. Most Service Personnel will be unaff ected; however, Information on Aggregation of offi cers at OF4 level or above or Service Previous Armed Forces Preserved Personnel who have recently had a Pension Awards promotion or a signifi cant salary increase If you have rejoined the Armed Forces may be aff ected. and have a preserved pension award in Leaving in the current tax year? either AFPS 75 or AFPS 05 schemes, you Where a tax charge is incurred, the eff ect are entitled to combine your most recent can usually be mitigated by using the period of previous service with your ‘Scheme Pays’ process - but members current service. However, if you wish to wishing to exercise this option must aggregate you must apply to do so in elect to do so prior to discharge. writing to Veterans UK. The address can be found on page 29 before your If you are a very senior offi cer or meet termination date as applications cannot one or more of the criteria below, you be accepted after leaving service. should contact Veterans UK as soon as possible via the contact details on page Medical Discharge 29 to request a pension statement. If you In order to quality for AFPS 05 ill health do have a tax charge, you can only elect benefi ts you must have a minimum of “Scheme Pays” to meet the charge whilst two years qualifying service. If you have still in service. under two years reckonable service at

20 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts You may have exceeded your in-year AA Payment of Terminal Benefi ts If you have been: and Pension • Promoted from a lower to higher pay Payment will be made within 30 days of scale (AFPS05); your termination date, providing Veterans • Promoted at 15-16 year point for UK have all the correct forms and other offi cers; information needed. • Promoted at 21-22 year point for ORs; Our Pension Paying Agent • Moved on to the Professional Aviator (PPA) Spine (PAS); All pensions are paid monthly in arrears by • Promoted Early (AFPS05); Equniti Paymaster. Payment will not be made unless an AFPS application is • Moved to higher rate of pension submitted. Please make sure you give clear supplement for Specialist personnel; accurate information and it is received by • Commissioned; Veterans UK no later than 8 weeks before • Promoted from OF4 or above; your termination date. • Accredited as Medical Offi cer Dental Offi cer (MODO) at OF2 or above; your pension, you should contact the JPAC. You should also report any relevant • Promoted with a length of service in excess of 25 years change in your circumstances to them. • Purchasing Additional Voluntary If you want information about payments contributions of your pension, deductions of tax or a • Subject to a Pension Sharing Order. change of address or account details you should contact PPA. Your dependants The above list is not exhaustive or should also contact them in the event exclusive but if any of these events have of your death. occurred in this or the previous tax year - or if there is any other reason to believe Disputes and Complaints that the AA limit may have been Veterans UK aim to get things right fi rst exceeded you should contact Veterans time but if you think there has been a UK to request a pension statement. mistake, please let them know. Your complaint will be acknowledged within DIN 2012DIN01-172: Pension Tax Relief - 5 working days of receipt and a full Annual Allowance Scheme Pays contains response will be sent within 20 working full illustrated details of Pensions Tax and days. If you are not happy with the way the Scheme Pays process. your complaint is handled, you can ask for it to be escalated. Helping us to Help You Pension contact details are listed on These notes are not intended to page 29. If you ring Veterans UK or PPA replace the booklet AFPS 75/05 - you will be asked for your name, service Your Pension Scheme Explained number or PPA reference number and (MMP/106/124), which you should your National Insurance number. have already received. If you don’t yet have a copy, you can view or download If you want a forecast of pension benefi ts, it from the MOD internet or intranet. have questions about your pension Your unit HR admin staff should also generally or want to apply for payment of have a copy.

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 21 Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS 75)

Your pension benefi ts are based on rank and reckonable service.

Full Career (Maximum) Pension eligible for an Immediate Pension, but have at age 55 completed at least two years reckonable If you retire at age 55 with 34 years’ reckonable service, you will be entitled to a preserved service (Offi cer) and 37 years (Other Ranks), pension and a terminal grant of three times you will be entitled to a full career (maximum) your annual pension, which is payable when pension and a lump sum (normally tax-free) you reach the age of 60 for service before 6 of three times the annual rate of pension. April 2006 and at age 65 for service after These are your ‘Terminal Benefi ts’. 6 April 2006. The terminal grant is normally tax-free. You can have all your benefi ts paid at age 60 but they will be actuarially reduced Immediate Pension to refl ect the early payment. If you have completed 16 years’ reckonable service as an offi cer, 22 years reckonable service for other ranks, when you retire, you Invaliding Pension will be entitled to an Immediate Pension If your career is cut short by illness or injury and a terminal grant of three times the (which is not your fault) and you have annual rate of pension. The terminal grant is completed more than two years’ qualifying normally tax-free. service, you may receive an invaliding pension and a lump sum. If you are subsequently awarded either a war pension Preserved Pension or payment under the Armed Forces If you leave the Armed Forces before Compensation Scheme, your Service reaching the point when you become Invaliding Pension will be reviewed.

Resettlement Grant to eligible children born during your If you complete more than 9 years as an service. Offi cer from age 21 (or date of entry if later) or 12 years as an Other Rank from Death of a Member with No age 18 (or date of entry if later) and leave Dependants the Armed Forces with no other If you are single with no eligible children immediate benefi ts, you may qualify for and die in service or with a preserved a tax-free resettlement grant to aid your pension, a Death Benefi t lump sum resettlement to civilian life. (normally tax-free) will be paid to your estate as part of the assets you leave. Resettlement and Life Commutation Note Resettlement and Life Commutation can Spouse’s or civil partner’s benefi ts cannot be left by will or awarded to anyone other than only be taken once and the application a legal spouse or civil partner. A spouse, from must be made before the last day of whom you are separated but not divorced, service. Further information can be retains their entitlement to these benefi ts, as found at GOV.UK does a civil partner where the relationship has not been legally dissolved. Unmarried Dependants’ Benefi ts partners are not entitled to receive non- If you die - either in service or during attributable benefi ts. Children’s benefi ts can retirement - benefi ts may be due to be paid to a legal guardian. your spouse or civil partner, and also

22 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2005 (AFPS 05)

If you belong to AFPS 05 you will be amount of pensionable pay you received entitled to pension benefi ts provided you for 365 consecutive days over the last have at least two years qualifying service. three years of reckonable service. This Your benefi ts are based on your fi nal service starts from your fi rst day of paid pensionable pay, that is; the greatest service in the Armed Forces.

Preserved Pension but having reached at least age 40 and If you leave the Armed Forces before age 55 having served at least 18 years relevant having completed at least two years’ service*, you will get a tax-free lump sum reckonable service, you will be entitled to a and an income paid until age 65, when your preserved pension and a pension lump preserved pension comes into payment with sum (normally tax-free) of three times your a further lump sum (normally tax-free). annual pension, which is payable when you reach age 65. Ill-Health Benefi ts If your career is cut short by illness or injury Pension at age 55 and you have completed more than two If you retire at age 55 or over you will be years’ qualifying service, you will receive an entitled to a pension paid immediately and a ill-health award. The amount is based on a pension lump sum (normally tax-free) of three tier system. For less serious conditions, three times your annual pension. There is no Tier 1 provides a tax-free lump sum only. If further lump sum paid at age 65. you have a serious condition, covered by Tiers 2 and 3, you will receive an ill-health Early Departure Scheme pension based on your actual service, plus a tax-free lump sum of three times your annual Payments (EDP) ill health pension. If you leave the Armed Forces before age 55,

Resettlement Grant The resettlement grant is intended to help you adjust to civilian life. You are entitled to a grant when you leave the Armed Forces provided: • you have served at least 12 years • you are not entitled to any other immediate payments, e.g. ill-health pension or EDP and: you are not a member of the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS) which does not off er a resettlement grant.

* See Armed Forces Early Department Payments Scheme Order 2005 no 437 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/437/contents/made for a defi nition of “Relevant Service”

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 23 Dependants’ Benefi ts • Within fi ve years of drawing your If you die in service a tax free lump sum pension, a lump sum equivalent to the of four times pensionable pay will be balance of fi ve years’ worth of pension paid to your nominee (see page 18 of will be paid to your estate. Again, your Your Pension Scheme Explained 05 pension stops on death. (MMP124). If you die after leaving service but before your benefi ts come Making a Nomination into payment a tax free lump sum of AFPS Form 2 was introduced to give three times the value of your annual Service Personnel the ability to nominate pension will be paid to your nominee. one, or more than one person or If you die within fi ve years of retirement, organisation to receive their lump sum a lump sum equivalent to the balance of on death. Although the completion of a fi ve years’ worth of pension will be paid Will would add to the evidence that to your estate (less any pension and lump Veterans UK would take into account sum you have already received) If there is when establishing an entitlement to the no nomination then the lump sum will pension lump sum, the completion of a go to your spouse, civil partner or eligible valid nomination form would ensure that partner. If you have none of these then it entitlement. The form is available for use will go to the estate. both during and after service, however it is advisable that on discharge any In addition providing you have two years nominations made are reviewed to or more qualifying service when you die ensure they are still valid and up-to-date. - either in service or after leaving service - pension benefi ts may be due to your If you require further information on spouse, civil partner, eligible partner or nominating an individual or organisation your eligible children. See the booklet to receive your lump sum on your death Family Pension Benefi ts (MMP/126) for then refer to the Your Pension Scheme more information. Explained and other Benefi ts On your Discharge Booklet (MMP/124). Death of a Member with No Dependants If you are single, with no eligible children and die, payments will be Pension Contacts made as follows: • In service, a lump sum (normally Tel (UK only): 0800 0853 600 tax-free) of four times pensionable pay Overseas: +44 1412 243 600 will be paid to your nominee or estate Armed Forces Pension Scheme as part of the assets you leave Veterans UK, MP 480, Kentigern House, • After service but before your 65 Brown Street, GLASGOW. G2 8EX preserved pension comes into Email: [email protected] payment, a lump sum (normally Pension Paying Agent tax-free) of three times your annual Equiniti Paymaster, Aspect House, Spencer preserved pension will be paid to Road, Lancing, West Sussex. BN9 6DA your nominee or estate as part of the Tel: 0845 121 2514 assets you leave. Your pension stops Overseas: +44 1903 768 627 on death Email: info@xafi nitypaymaster.com

For More Information The MMP Booklets are available to view online. Visit GOV.UK and search for Armed Forces Pensions.

24 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts Reserve Forces Pension Schemes

There are two Reserve Forces Pension The Non-Regular Permanent Staff Schemes for members of the Reserve (NRPS) pension scheme, previously Forces: Full Time Reserve Service Pension under Chapter 9 of TA Regulations 1978, Scheme 1997 (FTRSPS 97) and the has been re-stated in Schedule 1 of the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 2005 Defence Council Regulations and (RFPS 05). There is also a separate contains no fundamental change to the pension and attributable benefi ts benefi ts payable. The attributable scheme for members of the Non Regular benefi ts for injury or death caused by Permanent Staff (NRPS). service have been restated in schedule 2. Full Time Reserve Service Pension Scheme 97 (FTRSPS 97) is the scheme applicable to those who gave Full Time Reserve Service as a member of the Reserve Forces before 6 April 2005. It was closed to new entrants and those starting new commitments from 6 April 2005.

Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 05 (RFPS 05)

If you start or re-start a commitment on Each year is worth 1/70th of fi nal Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) terms, pensionable pay that is the greatest including Additional Duties Commitment amount of pensionable pay you received (ADC) terms on or after 6 April 2005, you for 365 consecutive days over the last will automatically become a member of three years of reckonable service for that the RFPS 05. This includes those engagement. You will receive a one off personnel who change commitments or pension lump sum normally tax free of rank, even if there is no break in service three times your annual pension. This and you were a member of FTRS 97. service starts from your fi rst day of paid Personnel called out for service under service in the Reserve Forces. section 32, 43, 52, 54, or 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (or corresponding Preserved Pension section of the Reserve Forces Act 1980) If you leave the Reserve Forces before from that date may choose to become age 60 you may be entitled to a members of RFPS 05. preserved pension and a pension lump sum (normally tax-free) of three times Your benefi ts paid to you for each period your annual pension, which is payable of service are based on reckonable when you reach age 65. There is no service at the end of your commitment. qualifying period to be entitled to a preserved pension.

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 25 Ill-Health Benefi ts Death of a Member with If your career is cut short by illness or No Dependants injury and you are medically discharged If you are single, with no eligible having completed more than two years’ children and die, payments will be made qualifying service, you will receive an as follows: ill-health award. The amount is based on • In service, a lump sum (normally a two tier system. If you have a serious tax-free) of four times pensionable pay condition, covered by Tiers 1 and 2, you will be paid to your nominee or estate will receive an ill-health pension based as part of the assets you leave on your actual service, plus a tax-free lump sum of three times your annual ill • After service but before your preserved health pension. pension comes into payment, a lump sum (normally tax-free) of three times Dependants’ Benefi ts your annual preserved pension will be If you die in service a tax free lump sum paid to your nominee or estate as part of four times pensionable pay will be of the assets you leave. Your pension paid to your nominee (see page 12 of stops on death RFPS Booklet). If you die after leaving • Within fi ve years of drawing your service but before your benefi ts come pension, a lump sum equivalent to the into payment a tax free lump sum of balance of fi ve years’ worth of pension three times the value of your annual will be paid to your estate. Again, your pension will be paid to your nominee. pension stops on death. If you die within fi ve years of retirement, a lump sum equivalent to the balance Making a Nomination of fi ve years’ worth of pension will be If you require further information on paid to your estate (less any pension and nominating an individual or organisation lump sum you have already received) If to receive your lump sum on your death there is no nomination then the lump then refer to the RFPS Booklet sum will go to your spouse, civil partner (MMP/146). A nomination form (AFPS 2) or eligible partner. If you have none of can be found on the inside cover of the these then it will go to the estate. booklet or by accessing Veterans UK pension forms. In addition providing you have two years or more qualifying service when you die These notes are not intended to replace - either in service or after leaving service the booklet RFPS 05 - Your Pension - benefi ts may be due to your spouse, Scheme Explained (MMP/146) which you civil partner, eligible partner or your may have already received but check to eligible children. See the booklet Family see if you have read the most up to date Pension Benefi ts (MMP/126) for more version. Your unit HR admin staff should information. also have a copy.

For More Information The MMP Booklets are available to view online. Visit GOV.UK and search for Armed Forces Pensions.

26 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (AFPS 15)

The new Armed Forces Pension Scheme will retain accrued rights to the rules will be introduced on 1 April 2015. All their current scheme, in order to protect service personnel who are members of the pension already earned to date. This an Armed Forces Pension Scheme and means that for the pension benefi ts who will be serving beyond April 2015 earned under the current schemes, will be automatically transferred to AFPS abatement policy will be applied. 15, unless they qualify for transitional Reservists protection which is explained in more • From 1 April 2015, members of the detail below. Part Time Volunteer Reserves (PTVR) Key features of AFPS 15 (e.g. the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal • Career average revalued earnings Marine Reserve, the Army Reserve (CARE) pension scheme with an (formerly the TA), the Royal Air Force accrual rate of 1/47th Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air • No employee contributions, with no Force) will become members of the plans to introduce contributions in Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 the future (AFPS 15) • Pension benefi ts accrued by members • Paid service, including Man Training up to the point of transition to the Days, will count as pensionable pay new scheme are protected; members and will contribute to the individual’s will be able to draw those benefi ts Career Average Revalued Earnings exactly when they had expected to, (CARE) pension pot. The exceptions and those benefi ts will be based on will be those elements of pay that the fi nal salary (rank) at the point of are not pensionable for Regulars, exit from the Armed Forces, not the such as Recruitment and Retention salary (rank) at the point of transition Payments (RRP) • Normal Pension Age of 60 and a • PTVR will be members of the same Deferred Pension Age linked to the pension scheme as Regular Service individual’s State Pension Age personnel, thereby making the • Early Departure Payment (EDP) transition between Regular and comprising of a lump sum and regular Reserve service much easier. The monthly income on leaving if SP only signifi cant diff erence will be complete 20 years service and reach that service in the Reserves will not age 40. If leaving before reaching the qualify towards Early Departure EDP threshold, the AFPS 15 pension Payment (EDP) benefi ts will be deferred and paid at State • Reserve Service Personnel will retain Pension Age the right, on mobilisation, to opt out • Pensions in payment and deferred of AFPS 15 and instead have MOD pay benefi ts to be increased by CPI the required employer contributions • There is no abatement policy under into their own, current, occupational AFPS 15, however, Service Personnel pension scheme.

The Forces Pension Society For More Information 68 South Lambeth Road, Further information about AFPS 15 LONDON. SW8 1RL can be found at GOV.UK Tel: 020 7820 9988 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.forcespensionsociety.org

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 27 Veterans and War Pension

We use the term ‘veteran’ to mean all When to Claim those who have served in the UK Armed Claims can be made at any time after Forces. It does not matter how long you leaving service. If you are invalided, served for or whether you saw active Veterans UK will automatically consider service. a pension without the need for a claim. War Pension Scheme How to Claim You can claim a War Disablement Pension You can get a claim form from Veterans if you are no longer serving in the UK UK at the address below; download one Armed Forces and; from the Veterans UK website, or from one of our recognised agents such as the • you have a condition which was Royal British Legion. If you need any help caused or made worse by your completing the form call the Veterans- service before 06 April 2005. UK Helpline. The Claim Process The Scheme rules also cover those Veterans UK will consider any claim using who were; evidence from Service and civilian • injured or disabled through service medical records. You may be asked to go in the Ulster Defence Regiment for a medical examination. You will be (now known as the Royal Irish kept informed of the progress on your Regiment), the Home Guard and claim. Any payment you may receive is nursing and auxiliary services tax-free. • a civil defence volunteer (CDV) disabled through serving as a CDV • a civilian disabled as a result of enemy action in the 1939 to 1945 war • a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary service or a coast guard and you were disabled because of an injury you received or a disease suff ered because of conditions during a war or because you were a prisoner of war or: • a member of Polish Forces under British command who served in the 1939 to 1945 war, or in the Polish Resettlement Forces and you were injured or disabled through this service.

For More Information War Pension, AFCS and General Veterans Enquiries Veterans UK Tomlinson House, Norcross, Thornton-Cleveleys. FY5 3WP Tel: 0808 1914 2 18 Email: [email protected]

28 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

The Armed Forces Compensation the point of discharge, for life. A Scheme (AFCS) provides compensation number of factors are taken into for any injury, illness or death which is consideration when calculating the caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. GIP. These refl ect the eff ect of an injury on future promotion prospects. The War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for an injury, illness or How do I submit a claim? death which occurs up to this date. To make a claim: • You must submit a claim form to The AFCS is a no-fault Scheme which Veterans UK. You can request a claim means payment is made without form by contacting the free helpline admitting fault. It is entirely separate on: 0808 1914 2 18 from personal accident cover, such as (Overseas) +44 1253 866 043) or PAX or SLI. Therefore, any accident cover alternatively you can download the that you may already hold is not taken form from the Veterans UK website or into account when determining an GOV.UK AFCS award. • Veterans UK staff (including its welfare Who is eligible? service) and voluntary organisations ALL current and former members of the can assist you UK Armed Forces, including Reservists, • Make sure that you do not try and may submit a claim for compensation. predict the outcome of a claim- You can claim for any injury or illness interpreting the detail of the Scheme which has been sustained as a result is a job for the experts of service. This includes Adventurous Training (AT), physical exercise and • Once a claim has been submitted, organised sport, for example inter- Veterans UK shall inform you in writing Service athletics. of the outcome. What type of awards can I get? Are there any time restrictions? There are two main types of AFCS You have seven years to make a claim. benefi ts: There are some exceptions to this such • Lump Sum Payments as late on-set illnesses. You can claim for For injury or illness, AFCS provides a a late-onset illness at any time after the tax-free lump sum payment for pain event to which it relates, as long as you and suff ering, the size of which do so within three years of seeking refl ects the severity of the injury/ medical advice. For further information illness. Lump sum payments range visit the websites. from £1,200 to £570,000 What happens if I do not agree • Guaranteed Income Payments (GIPs) with the decision made? For those with the most serious First, you can apply for reconsideration. injuries and illnesses, AFCS also This involves another Veterans UK offi cer provides an income stream known as reviewing your original claim. If you are the Guaranteed Income Payment unhappy with the result, you can appeal (GIP). This is a tax free, index-linked to an independent tribunal. monthly payment which is paid from

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 29 What happens if I die as a result Dependant’s Fund of Service? In the event of death, benefi ts may be & Dependant’s payable to your dependents such as an income stream known as a Survivors (Income) Trust Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP), Child Payments and a Bereavement The Dependant’s Fund and Dependant’s Grant of up to £37,500. (Income) Trust provide immediate one- time payments to the dependants of Your dependants have three years to deceased Service personnel. The aim is submit a claim. They will be informed by to provide for their immediate needs Veterans UK as to how best to do so and will without having to make a claim. The be fully supported by Case Visiting Offi cers payments are normally paid within a and the Veterans UK welfare service. few days to anywhere in the world. Membership of the various schemes stops when you leave Service. However, under certain circumstances you can apply to rejoin. The rules are complex and liable to change. Full details are available from the addresses below.

Royal Navy Royal Air Force Tel: 023 926 25238 Tel: 01993 896 608 Military: 93832 5238 Military: 95461 6608 Web: www.rnrmc.org.uk Web: www.raf.mod.uk/community/fi nancial Army Tel: 01980 615 736 Military: 94344 5736 Email: [email protected] Web: www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support

30 Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts Other Sources of Help State and Service Charities

Service Leavers Guide | Pay, Pensions and Other Benefi ts 31 Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities

Most Service leavers have a successful together to implement an initiative transition to civilian life and do not need known as the Veterans Information additional support. However, some do Service (VIS). experience diffi culties, just like other members of society. This might happen Contact will be made with all UK based shortly after leaving the Services or many Veterans approximately 12 months after years later. In these cases, support is leaving Service. A letter will be sent by available, both from the Government post or email containing sign-posting and local authorities and from charities. information to help Veterans with any In addition to the many support systems post service problems they may be for all members of society, there are a experiencing. These include issues number of organisations that provide relating to housing, health, employment support specifi cally for the ex-Service etc. As well as Veterans UK and NHS community. helpline numbers, the letter will also contain; Royal British Legion and other Armed Forces Covenant ex-service organisation contact The Armed Forces Covenant states that information, web-site addresses and a members of the Armed Forces dedicated VIS e-mail address giving Community, including service leavers Veterans diff erent options to locate help. and veterans and their families should Providing Veterans have recorded a post face no disadvantage compared to other service e-mail or postal address on JPA citizens in the provision of public and prior to their discharge, then no further commercial services. The Covenant action is necessary as the letter will be brings central Government, local issued automatically. authorities, the NHS, charities and businesses together to help support Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) Service Leavers and Veterans in their VWS gives support to Veterans, those transition to civilian life. To fi nd out more who are eligible to claim to the Veterans about Covenant and what it means to UK pension and compensation schemes you, visit: www.mod.uk/covenant and their dependants. The VWS is the Veterans Information Service MODs Single Central Co-ordinating Welfare Provider. The VWS can provide Veterans, who initially require no advice across a range of issues to former assistance adjusting back into civilian life, Service personnel. Further information, do sometimes go on to experience including contact details is on pages 36 diffi culties. Dr Andrew Murrison MP’s and 37. If in doubt, call the Veterans UK ‘Fighting Fit’ report recommended that Helpline: 0808 1914 2 18. all veterans should be contacted 12 months after leaving Service to ensure Veterans Scotland further information: that health monitoring of Service www.veteransscotland.co.uk personnel continues after the end of their Service. Veterans UK and the Department of Health are working

32 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Education, Resettlement And Job Finding The resettlement package you will have received on discharge will hopefully have helped you fi nd a job, or move into further training or education. However, Cobseo, The Confederation of Service if you did not qualify for the full Charities comprises 190 plus, member resettlement package or have been organisations ranging from the larger unsuccessful in job fi nding you can get charities such as The Royal British Legion, help and advice from the following: SSAFA, Help for Heroes and the main Service Benevolent Funds, medium sized Jobcentre Plus. charities including Blind Veterans UK, Your local Jobcentre Plus will be able BLESMA, Combat Stress, Forces Pension to give you advice on job hunting and Society and the Offi cers’ Association. It advice on benefi ts. There are Jobcentre also includes smaller charities such as Plus offi cers throughout the country, Aden Veterans Association, Veterans but the national call number is: Aid and Regimental Associations such 0845 6060 234 as the AGC Association and Yeomanry (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). Benevolent Trust. Each Jobcentre Plus district has an Armed This Confederation represents the entire Forces Champion. Their role is to make Armed Forces Community, some 4 sure that Jobcentre Plus offi ces in their Million people and their dependants. district are providing support to the It focuses the Charity network to work Armed Forces community; that includes together to off er the best support to all Service leavers and their families. The members of the Armed Forces Armed Forces champions do not routinely Community. Charities who off er a similar meet Service leavers or families, but if service work together and are led by one other Jobcentre Plus staff are unable to of the major charities who will direct the help, you can ask them to speak to their individual to the appropriate district Armed Forces Champion for organisation for the required support. advice on how to assist you. The two main issues when you leave the Service Charities Service are that you have somewhere to Service charities are also able to help live and, unless retiring fully, some form Service leavers with fi nding a job. The of training, education or employment in 2 key organisations are the Regular order to support yourself and your family. Forces Employment Association (RFEA Therefore please see below the lead - for all ranks) and the Offi cers’ organisations that should be your fi rst Association (OA - for commissioned point of contact for your particular need. offi cers), both of which are prepared to support former Service personnel throughout their lives. Between them, they off er a national network of advisers who can provide a range of help.

RFEA The Offi cers Association Tel: 0845 873 7165 Tel: 020 7808 4160 Tel: 0121 236 0058 Tel: (Benevolence) 0845 873 7153 Web: www.rfea.org.uk Web: www.offi cersassociation.org.uk

Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities 33 Welfare Assistance Some Service leavers and their families may experience diffi culties across a wide range of issues that could count as Forcesline ‘welfare’. The Veterans Welfare Service FREEPOST (VWS), can provide advice across a range PO Box 1312 of issues to former Service personnel. PEWSEY Further information, including contact SN9 6NN details, is on pages 32. If in doubt, call the Veterans UK Helpline: SSAFA also operate the confi dential 0808 1914 2 18. Forces Line. Members of the Armed Forces community can call this number The Service charity sector also provides to discuss issues of concern in a strong national network of welfare confi dence. This number, which workers. Although several charities operates during offi ce hours is: provide welfare staff , the largest 0800 731 4880 or 01980 630 854 networks belong to SSAFA and The Royal British Legion. Either of these SSAFA provides fi nancial, practical and major organisations will be able to help emotional assistance to anyone that is or direct you to another appropriate currently serving or has ever served in source of help, either among State the Army, Navy or RAF, and their families. providers or other charities. You can contact them locally or through their national team. More details are on Pages 42 and 43. Tel: 0207 403 8783 Web: www.ssafa.org.uk

The Royal British Legion provides welfare, comradeship and representation for the Armed Forces community. You can contact them locally or through their national Legionline. More details are on Pages 40 and 41. Tel: 0808 802 8080 Web: www.britishlegion.org.uk

34 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Financial Help Royal Navy In addition to organisations like SSAFA and RBL, each Service has a ‘Benevolent Fund’, off ering fi nancial assistance to eligible benefi ciaries (usually those who are serving or have served in the Service or their families). Details vary, but the The Royal Navy and Royal key Service Funds are: Marines Charity Building 29, HMS EXCELLENT, Whale Island, PORTSMOUTH, Hampshire. PO2 8ER Tel: 023 9254 8128 Web: www.rnrmc.org.uk

British Army

National Offi ce ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street, LONDON. SW1W 9RB Tel: 020 7901 8900 Email: [email protected] Web: www.soldierscharity.org

Royal Air Force

RAF Benevolent Fund RAF Benevolent Fund, 67 Portland Place, LONDON. W1B 1AR Tel: 0800 169 2942 Web: www.rafbf.org

Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities 35 Health Issues Travel Costs. The Ministry of Defence is Part of your transition process involves able to assist with travel costs for those registering with a civilian General attending the VRMHP from within the UK Practitioner (GP). This is an important but veterans should always confi rm travel part of returning to civilian life and you arrangements with the VRMHP prior to should make sure that the GP knows that making their journey. you have served in the Armed Forces. Further help is available through the NHS If you have concerns over your health, for former Service personnel with mental including any that you think are linked to health problems. Details vary between your service in the Armed Forces, you England, Scotland, Wales and Northern should contact your GP and discuss this Ireland, but your GP will be able to fi nd with him or her, making sure that you say details of these additional services. you are an Armed Forces veteran. Remember that, under the Armed Forces Other useful contact details: Covenant, you are entitled to priority NHS Direct treatment in the NHS for conditions Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk linked to your military service, subject to For Service Leavers in Scotland the clinical needs of others. Tel: 08454 242424 Web: www.nhs24.co.uk Your GP is your route to receiving healthcare, both for physical and mental For Service leavers in Wales health issues. Tel: 0845 46 47 Web: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk If you are experiencing mental health issues that you believe are related to your For Service Leavers in service in the Armed Forces, you can ask Northern Ireland your GP to refer you to the Veterans and Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk Reserves Mental Health Programme (VRMHP). This is located at Chilwell, near Nottingham and is open to veterans who have served on operations since 1982. The VRMHP staff , who understand military life, will carry out an assessment of any mental health problems and make recommendations for further treatment. Doctors are encouraged to refer any patients who are concerned that their mental health may have suff ered as a result of their military service and who fulfi l the criteria for being seen. We recommend visiting your GP fi rst to get a referral but self-referrals are accepted: DCMH Chilwell Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell, NOTTINGHAM. NG9 5HA Tel: 0800 0326258 Email: dphc(e)[email protected]

36 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Big White Wall Other fi ndings included: Big White Wall www.bigwhitewall.com is • Two thirds of BWW members said they an online early intervention service for used the site mostly to relieve stress people in psychological distress. It is and loneliness provided in partnership with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation • Half said they used the site to relieve Trust. Big White Wall combines social anxiety and a third cited depression networking principles with a choice of as their main reason for using Big clinically informed interventions to White Wall improve mental wellbeing. It can be • One quarter of users had experienced accessed 24/7 and has staff (Wall Guides) suicidal feelings and one fi fth were who ensure the full engagement, safety self-harming - BWW helped them deal and anonymity of all members. with their feelings. Big White Wall is a community of people who are experiencing common mental The majority of BWW users were able to health problems who are supported to self-manage their mental wellbeing self-manage their own mental health. without recourse to further help. Others According to members, one of the most found BWW a helpful step to, or important elements of the service is the complementary with, other medical or ability to talk freely, whilst remaining therapeutic intervention. A copy of the completely anonymous. independent review is available on request. Findings from an independent review of BWW found that: For more information, look at the website or call: + 44 (0)20 70601677 • 75% of members talked about an issue for the fi rst time on BWW • 80% self-managed their psychological distress • 95% reported one or more improvements in wellbeing.

Combat Stress, Tyrwhitt House, In addition to their routine work to help Oaklawn Road, former Service personnel with mental Leatherhead, health problems, Combat Stress operates SURREY. KT22 0BX a 24 hour helpline. Tel: 01372 587 000 Tel: 0800 138 1619 Email: [email protected] Web: www.combatstress.org.uk

Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities 37 38 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Additional Information For Service Leavers In Scotland

Poppyscotland is the leading charity Head Offi ce supporting ex-Servicemen and women New Haig House and their families in Scotland. We are Logie Green Road, probably best known for running the EDINBURGH. EH7 4HR iconic Scottish Poppy Appeal, but we Tel: 0131 557 2782 work all year round to help veterans Glasgow offi ce and their families receive the care and Unit 15, support they urgently need. 15 - 39 Durham Street, Kinning Park, The Scottish Poppy Appeal raises over £2 GLASGOW. G41 1BS million each year and, combined with our Tel: 0141 427 8490 other year-round fundraising, we are able to provide fi nancial assistance to Inverness offi ce thousands of ex-Servicemen and women Strothers Lane as well as helping to fund specialist INVERNESS. IV1 1LR services such as long term care, housing Tel: 01463 710300 and employment. Email: [email protected] We were established in 1921 as The Earl Web: www.poppyscotland.org.uk Haig Fund Scotland but adopted our current name and logo in 2006 to refl ect our revised fundraising activities and charitable services work. In June 2011 we merged with our sister charity The Royal British Legion (TRBL), which operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to form the largest charity group supporting the Armed Forces community across the whole of the UK. Poppyscotland continues to operate as a distinct charity within the TRBL group of charities and rely entirely on public donations to allow us to continue our life-changing work.

Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities 39 40 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities 41 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Intentionally blank

44 Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Reserve Forces and Cadets

Service Leavers Guide | Other Sources of Help - State and Service Charities Reserve Liability

At the end of your service in the Regular soldiers are discharged from the Army Forces you will normally have a Reserve and become members of the compulsory reserve liability. The length Army’s Long Term Reserve with a liability of your liability and the circumstances to recall until age 45. Personnel who when you may be brought back into complete 22 years’ service in the RN or service depend upon your Service, rank, RM have a liability to recall until age 55, age, the type of commission or while those who leave the Army or RAF engagement which you entered and after 22 years’ service have a recall whether you are subject to the Reserve liability until age 60. Forces Act (RFA) 1980 or the 1996 Act. Ratings / Marines / Army Other Ratings / Marines / Army Other Ranks and Airmen who enlisted Ranks and Airmen who enlisted from 1 April 1997 before 1 April 1997 If you enlisted, re-enlisted or extended If you were a member of the Regular your service in the Regular Forces on or Forces before 1 April 1997 and did not after 1 April 1997, you will be subject to re-enlist or extend your service on or the legislation contained in the RFA 96. after 1 April 1997, you will be subject to Generally, ratings and marines who do legislation contained in RFA 80. not complete 22 years’ service enter the Essentially, ratings and marines with less Royal Fleet Reserve for a 3-year period than 22 years’ service have a 3-year followed by a 3-year recall liability or until liability in the Royal Fleet Reserve while age 55 years, whichever is the sooner. Army other ranks and airmen have a Army other ranks, including those maximum 6-year liability in the Army serving on the Versatile Engagement Reserve and Royal Air Force Reserve (VEng) who do not complete their respectively. On completion of up to 6 engagements in full and who complete years’ service in the Army Reserve, former less than 15 years’ service enter the Army

46 Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Reserve for 6 years or until completion of engagement, whichever is the sooner. An airman who completes 16 years’ service or less will be transferred to the RAF Reserve of Airmen for a period of 6 years. This is followed by a recall liability of 12 years or until age 55, whichever is the sooner. Army other ranks who complete their VEng and airmen who leave the RAF with more than 15 years’ service have a recall liability for 18 years or until age 55 whichever is the sooner. With the exception of those in the Army VEng, personnel who leave the Regular Forces on completion of 22 years’ service have a recall liability until age 55 or for 18 years from the date of leaving service, whichever is the sooner. Offi cers Irrespective of the date of commissioning, offi cers serving on Short Service Commissions are transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve (Emergency List) or the Army Reserve (Regular Army Reserve of On leaving the RAF, offi cers serving on Offi cers) or the Royal Air Force Reserve. permanent commissions in the RAF in They will normally have a call-out liability the rank of Group Captain or below and for 4 years at which point they will commissioned before 1 April 1997 have be discharged without any further liability. a recall liability until their 60th years. 1* and 2* RAF offi cers have a recall liability Offi cers holding permanent commissions until age 65 and 3* and 4* have a liability in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines are until 67. RAF offi cers commissioned on transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on or after 1 April 1997 and who hold leaving the Royal Navy or Royal Marines permanent commissions have a liability and will have a call-out liability until age to recall until age 55 years or for 18 years 60 years. from the time of leaving the RAF, Army offi cers who hold regular whichever is the sooner. commissions are transferred to the Army Reserve (Regular Army Reserve of Training Liability Offi cers) until such time as they reach the You can be required to train for up to age point appropriate to their rank and 16 days in aggregate in any one year cap-badge. or for such other periods as may be prescribed, none of which shall exceed 36 hours at any one time without your consent. You may also volunteer to train or take part in exercises.

Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets 47 Duty to inform your Service Personnel Centre You have a legal duty to inform your Service Personnel Centre (SPC) of any circumstances which may aff ect your call-out or recall. These would include any change of name or address, if you believe you have become medically unfi t for service in the Armed Forces, or you plan to be abroad for a period of over 3 months. Failure to Respond Failure to respond to a call-out or recall notice without leave lawfully granted or reasonable excuse is an off ence under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 which may be dealt with by the civil courts or by court-martial. As a Regular Reservist there are many and varied opportunities to serve full- time, such as on mobilised Service, Full-time Reserve Service, Military Provost, Guard Service or Non-Regular Permanent Staff (TA). There are also opportunities to serve on Additional Duties Commitments. More information on Reserves assignments is available from Service websites or from your appropriate SPC.

Navy Command Air Command NPT (Reserves) RFR, MP 1-2, Room 106, RAF High Wycombe, Bucks. HP14 4UE West Battery, PP300, Whale Island, Tel: 01494 496802 PORTSMOUTH. PO2 8DX Email: [email protected] Tel: 02392 628770 Web: www.raf.mod.uk/rafreserves Email: [email protected] Web: www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Army Personnel Centre Regular Army Reserves, MP588, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, GLASGOW. G2 8YN Tel: 0141 224 5277 / 8003 / 2063 Email: [email protected] Web: www.army.mod.uk

48 Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Royal Navy Reserves

LEAVING THE FULL-TIME ARMED FORCES?

CONSIDERED THE RNR? The RNR comprises civilian volunteers and ex-Service personnel who train in their spare time to enable the Navy to meet its operational commitment. There are 13 units across the UK and NI, some of which have detached units in other major towns.

Commitment As a member of the RNR you will normally join List 3 where you must complete: 12 days of Operational Capability Training (OCT) and 12 days of Support Activity (SA) training. This could include the opportunity to work for the Naval Regional Commander (NRC). SA and NRC activity takes place either on evenings (equal to ¼ day of duty) or at weekends at the parent unit, another regional unit, or at an RN establishment. 1 HMS CALLIOPE, Gateshead T: 0191 477 2536 The venue for the annual 12 days continuous OCT might be on board a ship, E: [email protected] manning a shore headquarters (UK or overseas), or at a military establishment, usually in the UK. 2 HMS CAMBRIA, Cardiff T: 0144 642 1600 E: [email protected]

“I left the RN in December 05 as a Lieutenant Logistics Offi cer (SM). 3 HMS HIBERNIA, Lisburn T: 0289 226 6276 Having spent 23 years in the Service the RN was in my blood and I still E: [email protected] wanted to be able to be part of that but with a reduced commitment. 4 HMS DALRIADA, Glasgow T: 0147 573 2251 E: [email protected]

5 HMS EAGLET, Liverpool There is also the added fi nancial T: 0151 707 3344/3301 incentive that can make up for a E: [email protected] reduction in earnings after leaving the Service. I would and do, highly 6 HMS FLYING FOX, Bristol recommend the reserves to any ex T: 0117 966 8667 Ext 2128 E: fl [email protected] service personnel.” 7 HMS FORWARD, Birmingham T: 0121 703 6360 E: [email protected] Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets

50 INTERESTED? WE MAY HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU! All ranks irrespective of background • Logistics junior rates/other ranks • Operations Branch - especially Mine Warfare, Communications, Electronic Warfare and Above Water Warfare junior rates/other ranks • Other ranks prepared to learn new skills, possibly in an initial lower rate

Offi cers • Operations Offi cers up to the age 45 (Lieutenant Commander/Squadron Leader/Major and below) • Offi cers up to age 45 with experience of media operations, operational logistics or intelligence, or with advanced foreign language skills • Junior RN offi cers qualifi ed as Bridge Watchkeepers (RN specifi c) • Junior offi cers prepared to learn new skills, possibly in an initial lower rank

Contacts For the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR): For the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR): Transfer Pipeline Administrator Royal Marines Reserve Career Manager Room 142, MP 1-2, West Battery Room 115, MP1-1, West Battery Whale Island, Portsmouth, Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hants. PO2 8DX Hants. PO2 8DX T: 93832 8677 (02392 628677) T: 93832 5534 (02392 625534) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] For the RNR Air Branch: Deputy Staff Offi cer CSAV Reserves Cormorant House, Yeovilton Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 8HL T: 93510 5883 (01935 455883) E: [email protected]

8 HMS KING ALFRED, Portsmouth T: 0239 254 7453 E: [email protected] Rewards

9 HMS PRESIDENT, London As a member of the RNR you can maintain your military skills and get paid for doing it. T: 020 7480 7219 E: [email protected] You receive pay and other expenses for the time you put into the RNR. In addition, an annual tax-free bounty is payable to those who satisfactorily complete the annual 10 HMS SCOTIA, Edinburgh T: 0138 342 5559/5794 training commitment. E: [email protected]

11 HMS SHERWOOD, Nottingham T: 0115 929 6373 Ext 3008 E: [email protected]

12 HMS VIVID, Plymouth Tel: 0175 255 2676 E: [email protected]

13 HMS WILDFIRE, Northwood T: 0192 384 3460 E: wildfi [email protected]

More information is available on our website - Tempted and Want to Find Out More? royalnavy.mod.uk/rnr Call 08456 07 55 55 and we can point you to your appropriate unit, or checkService out Leavers the website: Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets

royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Maritime-Reserves 51 52 Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets 53 54 Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets 55 56 Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets Service Leavers Guide | Reserve Forces and Cadets 57 135,000 cadets 29,000 adult volunteers 3,000+ locations all over the UK

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60 Produced by Williams Lea Ltd Published by the Ministry of Defence UK This document is also available at GOV.UK Ministry of Defence 04/2014