You may be able to transfer from another pension scheme registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Pension scheme providers will have a registration certificate issued by HMRC to confirm the scheme is registered.
We can only confirm if the transfer will be accepted once we’ve received your completed application.
Transfers from an overseas pension scheme
You may be able to transfer from a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS).
Overseas transfers include transfers from any pension schemes in the:
- Republic of Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Guernsey
Separate NHS Schemes
If you’re working across 2 different NHS Pension Schemes and the combined hours are above whole-time hours, you cannot transfer all your benefits into either scheme.
You cannot have scheme membership which is more than whole-time hours. Your benefits must remain in 2 separate NHS schemes.
Pension credit
We cannot accept any transfer payment for pension credits following a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.
Non-active member transfer requests
You cannot transfer into the NHS Pension Scheme if you’ve left NHS employment.
If you’ve not yet joined the NHS Pension Scheme, you can apply for a hypothetical transfer in estimate. This must be put in writing to us.
Time limit
Your application to transfer benefits must be made within 12 months of being eligible to join the Scheme for the first time. This must be before your normal pension age (NPA).
You can transfer in benefits you’ve accrued during a break in membership or NHS employment. You must request this within 12 months of being eligible to rejoin the Scheme.
Club terms
If you’ve requested to transfer on Club terms, it must be less than 5 years since you left the previous Scheme. If it’s over 5 years, you can only transfer on non-Club terms.
The FA163 option form must be received by your former scheme within 12 months of becoming eligible to transfer to the NHS Pension Scheme. If this does not happen, your transfer will be completed on non-Club terms.
Separate pension scheme
If you’ve paid contributions to your other occupational pension alongside your NHS pension, a transfer may be accepted outside of the time limit if your job in that scheme started before your NHS job.