Pensioners

Different rules and benefits apply to pensioners (and therefore their dependants) depending on whether they retired (or died) on or before 1 April 2008, or after this date.

If you were drawing an HSC Pension on or before 31 March 2008, the changes to the HSC Pension Scheme effective from 1 April 2008 do not affect you, or the entitlements of any dependants' you may have. The same rules and benefits will continue to apply to your pension as those described in the booklet 'A guide for pensioners and their dependants' that you were given when you retired.

Spouses or partners of deceased Pension Scheme members who retired after 1 April 2008 will continue to receive benefits for life, regardless of whether they remarry or enter into another qualifying partnership.

These changes will not apply to those people who are already receiving a pension from the scheme at 31March 2008.

Many of our pensioners take up other employment after their original retirement from work. This may be with the same employer, or with a different company or body.

It is importnant that you should contact us before doing so, as re-employment may have an impact upon the rate of your pension.

Pension payment dates will normally fall on the last banking day of each month, with the only exception being December when we aim to arrange payment before the annual holidays. The payment dates are as follows:

For those of you who have your pension paid directly into a bank account each month we normally do not sent out a payslip every month.

You will only receive a pension payslip if your net payment differs by more than £5 per month and also when the pension increase comes into effect in April and May each year.

We will write to our overseas pensioners every year asking them to complete and return a Declaration of Entitlement.

The NHS Retirement Fellowship is a registered charity, created for the benefit of all retired health service employees and their partners. The main objective is to provide the opportunity for retired health service staff to continue friendships formed during employment and to make new friends and enjoy the companionship of people from a shared health and social services background.

If you are interested in becoming a member or would like some more information please contact:

Bertie Thompson
NHS Retirement Fellowship (N.I.)
c/o Bangor Community Hospital
Castle Street
Bangor
BT20 4TA

Telephone: 02891460852 (Home)

Membership can be paid through a monthly deduction of £0.50 from your Health Service pension or by an annual payment.

Pensioners can access the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.