Making Sense of Pensions and Retirement

The NHS pension scheme is the largest in Europe. This guide explains how it works and how to maximize its benefits and avoid its pitfalls. The book covers: recent changes to the scheme including new provisions for early retirement; personal pensions, financial planning and investment options; advice on preparing for retirement and working after retirement; state benefits; and health and leisure in retirement. It is written for all NHS staff and should be of particular value to GPs and salaried doctors.

1. An outline of the NHS pension scheme 2. NHS employees: their pension and lump sum 3. NHS practitioners: their pension and lump sum 4. Practitioners: partnerships, retirement and other issues 5. Financial planning for retirement: the NHS pension scheme 6. Financial planning for retirement: personal pensions 7. Financial planning for retirement: investments other than pensions 8. The NHS pension scheme: insurance and family benefits 9. Early retirement 10. Voluntary early retirement 11. Mental health officer/special class status 12. Leaving or joining the NHS pension scheme: transfers and other options 13. Three views on investing the NHS pension scheme lump sum 14. Other public sector pension schemes 15. Working after retirement 16. Changes to the NHS pension scheme 17. State benefits on retirement 18. Pensions in a changing society 19. Health 20. Leisure in retirement 21. Preparing for retirement