Army Pension

[Fortyfive]

I'll be 55 this year :cry:. Can any one help me with the army pension do we still get it at this age ???

[Gwyn Nicholas]

How many years did you do 45. If less than 22 years service you will be entitled to a preserved pension when you reach 60. Check out the Veterans Agency for a detailed explanation which gives exceptions.

[Fortyfive]

Hi Glyn. I did 12 yrs man service.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Then you will have to wait until 60 (at present) to recieve a preserved pension. There are some exceptions to that rule to do with health conditions, so if you qualify due to those exceptions you can claim earlier. Consult the Veterans Agency on line, enter preserved pensions in the search engine for a full explanation. Good luck!

[rob jones 60]

Hi all Ive got a couple of questions you may be able to shed some light on , Is a widow of an ex soldier that served 9 years( he joined in 1974 ) eligible to receive his pension , full or half ,they were married for 30 years . If so would she have to apply to the army pensions . I did 11 years 125 days i was lead to be leave that i could clam my half pension at 55 by applying for it on my 55 birthday has the age limit been changed to 60, and apart from medical reasons is the 55 age still eligible for me to clam it at a reduced rate. Thank you in advance for any advice you could give me on these questions all the best rob Jones 60 ............

[Gwyn Nicholas]

These are complicated questions which can only be answered accurately by the SPVA. You will have to contact them and give your details. They will tell you if you qualify for an early preserved pension or when you will qualify.

0800 085 3600 SPAVA JPAC Enquiry Service is the number I took from the site. Hope it helps.

[Keith Jones 989]

Excellent advice Nic.

[rob jones 60]

thanks for the advice ill give that number a ring and let you know how i get on

[rob jones 60]

Hi Gwyn as advised i phoned the inquiry line today , the age is set at 60 to clam your pension, the address is MP 480, KENTIGERN HOUSE, 65 BROWN STREET, GLASGOW, G28EX. If you wright to them with your service details they will send you your figures for your pension, they cant do it over the phone. The other question i asked was about if a wife could clam her husbands pension and it seems she can, again she will have to wright to the address in Glasgow with a covering letter and his service details.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Nice one Rob and a good result for the lady. It is important to note that it is up to the individual to contact SPVA for preserved pensions they do not contact you.

[rob jones 60]

yes thats right nick but still a lot of lads that are out still think you can clam their pension at 55 where we got that from i dont know ,it must have been when we were leaving probably miss information just have to what another 5 years ...

[Gwyn Nicholas]

There may be a number of reasons for the confusion, as there have been many changes over the years.

A service pension is paid at 22 years service point. Whether commuted or not that pension remains the same until the pensioner reaches 55. In the years between, the pension is index linked to the cost of living. The increases are not reflected in the pension until the age of 55.

Prior to 1975, there was no provision for Preserved pensions (for those who served less than 22 years). On the 6th April 1975 provision was made for personnel over the age of 26 with 5 years service to be eliglble for preserved pension at the age of 60. In 1978 the age criteria (26) was dropped. On 6th april 1988 the criteria for service was dropped from 5 years to 2 years service, claimable at age 60.

On 6th April 2006 the age for claiming changed from 60 to 65. However the years of service prior to that date (minimum of two) may be claimed at 60 then the rest at 65.

Preserved pensions may be claimed early (subject to SPVA discretion) by personnel whom through
ill-health, cannot permanently work full-time and the ill-health will take them up to their qualifying age.

The individual is responsible for making a Preserved pension claim and will not be contacted by SPVA.
I'm sure there are members on this site who are confused or even unaware that they are eligable to claim so hopefully this will help. The address you need is in Rob's post above, get claiming or checking it is your dosh but they wont give it unless you ask for it.

When you claim your preserved pension you will get a terminal grant of 3 times your annual pension tax-free so it is not to be sniffed at.

[hoppy41]

i had my preserved pension at 47 because of ill health

[Bob Bacon]

This topic regarding Army Pensions has now been posted to the Facebook Page as requested

[Gwyn Nicholas]

The pension increase this year is 3.1 percent as per the CPI (consumer price index) for September 2010. If you look at the same (CPI) this coming September, you will know what your pension increase will be next year. (Always supposing there is no pension freeze which seems highly possible in this financial climate).

Note, that if you have been recieving a pension for less than a year the increase is paid pro-rata and may not add up to the 3.1 percent.

(Not teaching granny to suck eggs but it may be informative to some members)

[nasher546]

The pension increase this year is 3.1 percent as per the CPI (consumer price index) for September 2010. If you look at the same (CPI) this coming September, you will know what your pension increase will be next year. (Always supposing there is no pension freeze which seems highly possible in this financial climate).

Note, that if you have been recieving a pension for less than a year the increase is paid pro-rata and may not add up to the 3.1 percent.

(Not teaching granny to suck eggs but it may be informative to some members)

Gwyn,

Do they write to you confirming this as I have not recieved anything to date?

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Paul, I believe the rise is as of 11th April. You will no doubt get an update from Xafinty paymaster in due course, due to the pay rise and change in the personal allowance.

[nasher546]

Paul, I believe the rise is as of 11th April. You will no doubt get an update from Xafinty paymaster in due course, due to the pay rise and change in the personal allowance.

Thanks Gwyn.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

The CPI (consumer price index)on which our pension increase is based upon, is currently at 4.4% so unless there is a remarkable turn around in the inflation figures this month that is roughly what the pension increase should be for 2012 barring some bizzzare change of minds by our illustrious leaders in Westminster.

Note: Dont punish yourselves looking at the RPI....we dont get that anymore.

[ap1]

Just a reminder. If you're entitled to an army pension, now or in the future, you can phone SPVA Glasgow and request a written forecast. I believe you're allowed one request per year. So if you're already in receipt of an army pension and wondering what you will receive at 55, they will give you an estimate. The forecast is normally received with 7days of the person making the request.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

CPI is currently at 2.7 % so that is what the pension rise for next year appears to be at the moment. They may very well nibble off a little bit more before the end of the month however.

[nasher546]

Gwyn,

They are always nibbling off a bit more here and a bit more there. Does the rise still come into effect in April?
CPI is currently at 2.7 % so that is what the pension rise for next year appears to be at the moment. They may very well nibble off a little bit more before the end of the month however.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Yes mate but check the CPI at the end of September, thats the one that counts.