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Can I take my NHS pension and carry on working?

Author

David Richardson

Updated on March 05, 2026

Can I take my NHS pension and carry on working?

If you are thinking of retiring and claiming your pension benefits but would like to keep working in the NHS, you can do so but will need to take a break in service. Without a break in service, your pension will be suspended until you take the required break and not paid back in arrears.

Besides, how many hours can you work after taking NHS pension?

16 hours

Additionally, can I take my NHS pension at 55 and still work? This option allows members to take part of their pension benefits whilst continuing in NHS employment. If members are over the minimum retirement age 55 and their pay is reduced by a minimum of 10% they can partially retire and take some pension benefits. Members can draw dawn benefits twice before retiring completely.

Just so, can I take my NHS pension and still work?

If I return to NHS employment after retirement will my benefits be affected? If you are over the normal pension age (60 for 1995 Section members, 65 for 2008 Section members and State Pension Age or age 65, if later, for 2015 Scheme members) then your pension will not be affected if you return to work in the NHS.

Can you collect a pension and still work full time?

If you continue to work while receiving your Canadian Pension Plan ( CPP) retirement pension and are between the ages of 60 and 65 years old, you must still contribute to the CPP . Your CPP contributions will go toward post-retirement benefits. These benefits will increase your retirement income when you stop working.

How many hours can you work while retired?

In general, if you work more than 45 hours a month in self- employment, you're not retired; if you work less than 15 hours a month, you're retired.

Can I take all my NHS pension as a lump sum?

You may be able to take up to a maximum lump sum of 25% of your capital value normally up to the tax free amount. The capital value is the value placed on your NHS Pension Scheme benefits by HMRC and is calculated by multiplying your pension by 20 and adding the value of any lump sum.

Can I retire from NHS and return to work?

Retire and return - Members can request to retire, claim their pension benefits and then return to NHS employment. Draw down - Members can take part of their pension benefits and continue in NHS employment.

Is NHS pension based on final salary?

NHS pension benefits in respect of transition members are based on a combination of final salary 1995/2008 Section and career average pay 2015 Scheme. Members who have continuous membership will retain a final salary link in respect of their 1995 Section or 2008 Section pensionable membership.

Will reducing my hours affect my NHS pension?

Impact on benefits

Pensions for part time staff are calculated on the whole time equivalent salary, so moving from full time to part time work, rather than retiring, should not reduce the level of pensionable pay for the calculation of pension benefits.

How many years is a full NHS pension?

Members are restricted to 40 years pensionable membership at age 55 and 45 years overall. Where maximum 45 years pensionable membership is reached before age 60 members must continue to pay contributions until age 60 unless they opt out of the Scheme or retire and claim their pension benefits.

How much will my NHS pension pay?

Your pension is 1/60th of your reckonable pay for each year or part year of pensionable membership in the Scheme. You will have the choice of taking a retirement lump sum by reducing your annual pension.

How does working part time affect NHS pension?

A. A part time member can pension extra hours worked up to the standard whole time equivalent weekly hours for the grade, providing those hours are paid at the normal rate for the job. Any hours worked above the standard whole time equivalent weekly hours are classed as overtime and non- pensionable.

What is the best age to retire UK?

56

Can I take my NHS pension at 59?

The earliest age that you can draw your pension is known as the minimum pension age. If you were not an active member between these dates then you cannot take your pension until age 55. You may apply for early retirement by contacting NHS Pensions directly.

How many hours can I work after retirement UK?

It's worth remembering that eligibility for the means-tested Working Tax Credit changes at age 60. To qualify at this age you must work at least 16 hours a week – down from 30 hours a week.

Can I rejoin the NHS pension scheme after retirement?

Yes, after retiring from the 2015 Scheme you can return to work within the NHS. However, you must have a 24 hour break before returning to NHS employment. Additional restrictions apply to scheme members who have retired on the grounds of ill health.

How does the NHS pension scheme work?

Introduction to the NHS Pension Scheme

Your rate is determined on your full-time equivalent pensionable pay. Your contributions are deducted from your gross pay which means less of your income is taxable. This in effect means that your actual contribution taking into account tax relief is between 4% and 8.7%.

What happens to my NHS pension if I leave the NHS?

If you are leaving NHS employment, or just the Scheme, you may be able to transfer your pension rights to a new pension provider. You may only transfer to a pension scheme or arrangement that is registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and able to accept a transfer payment from the NHS Pension Scheme.

Can I retire and go back to work?

Once you reach your full retirement age, you may earn as much as you want and still collect your full Social Security benefits. If you go back to work when you're past full retirement age you will not be subject to the retirement earnings test.

How much will my NHS pension increase in 2020?

If you are due for an increase on your pension the new rate will be payable from 6 April 2020. Subject to final Parliamentary approval the full increase will be 1.7 % based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the 12 months ending 30 September 2019.

Does the NHS pay death in service?

Individuals that are actively contributing to the NHS Pension Scheme are entitled to death in membership benefits, including life assurance and family benefits. The scheme provides a lump sum and pension benefits to eligible dependants.

What age do most nurses retire?

Most RNs are between ages 46 and 55. Although this aging trend has slowed, within the next 10 to 15 years, nearly one million RNs (about 1/3 of nurses) will be over age 50 and nearing retirement age.

Is it better to take a higher lump sum or pension NHS?

If you have a lifetime allowance issue

As the method of measuring the capital value of your pension against the lifetime allowance is (pension x 20) plus your lump sum, taking a larger lump will reduce the overall capital value. As a result, this will reduce the lifetime allowance tax payable.

How much is a nurses pension UK?

Under the new scheme, their annual pension would be £20,396 at retirement. This compares with the £16,666 a year they'd get under the current scheme. In both cases, they'd benefit from a £49,998 tax-free lump sum.

How much can you earn without affecting your pension?

Income limits for a full Age Pension
SituationLimit (1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021)Previous limit (1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020)
Fortnightly limitAnnual limit*
Single$178$4,524
Couple (combined)$316$8,008

How much can I earn after retirement?

If you are collecting Social Security retirement benefits before full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on the amount of money you may earn and still receive your full Social Security retirement benefit.

Does working affect your pension?

If you choose to carry on working, your earnings will not reduce the pension you receive. However the combination of earnings and pension will increase your taxable income. Once you reach State Pension Age, you do not have to pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

How much can a pensioner earn before they pay tax?

You are able to earn or receive up to £12,500 in the 2020-21 tax year (6 April to 5 April) and not pay any tax. This hasn't changed from 2019-20. This is called your Personal Allowance. If you earn or receive less than this then you're a non-taxpayer.

Can I claim my pension at 62?

The earliest you can get your State Pension is when you reach your State Pension age. You'll have to wait to claim your State Pension if you retire before you reach that age.

Can I retire at 62 and still work full time?

If you work and are full retirement age or older, you can earn as much as you want and your benefits will not be reduced. However, individuals may begin taking Social Security retirement benefits early beginning at age 62. Once you reach full retirement age, your benefits will no longer be reduced.

When can I draw my pension?

A great benefit of pension schemes is that you can usually start taking money from them from the age of 55. This is well before you can receive your State Pension. Whether you have a defined benefit or defined contribution pension scheme, you can usually start taking money from the age of 55.

At what age can you take your pension without penalty?

55

How much can my wife earn before it affects my pension?

From 1 July 2020 a pensioner couple could earn $316 a fortnight combined and still be eligible for the full pension of $1423.60 a fortnight, including all supplements. They can also earn $300 a fortnight each from personal exertion – this is not included in the income test.

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