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GP Pensions

Retirement, death in service, ill health retirement

You can find the six key steps of the process to follow in our 'NHS Pensions Scheme Retirement Guide'.

To be considered for Ill health retirement, you should download and complete the AW33E form, which can be downloaded from the NHSBSA website.

  • PART A should be completed by the Employing Authority
  • PART B should be completed by the pension scheme Member
  • PART C should be completed by the Occupational Health Doctor - where this is not possible, the report can be completed by your GP / Specialist

Once complete, the AW33E form should be sent to PCSE via the enquiries form.

Guidance regarding Ill health retirement is available on the AW33E form.

If you qualify for ill health retirement benefits you must complete form AW8, which can be downloaded from the NHS Pensions website here to request payment of these benefits. Once complete, the AW8 form should be sent to PCSE.

Forms should be submitted via the enquiries form.

A member of the deceased’s family, the member’s practice manager (or colleague within the practice), the member’s legal representative, the responsible NHS England RLT or the relevant Commissioner should contact PCSE and provide:

  • Member’s full name
  • National Insurance or NHS Pension Scheme reference number (SD number) of the member if possible
  • The Member’s date of birth, date of death and place of work (preferably the practice code)
  • Details of the next of kin/legal representative, marital status, whether there are any legal dependants i.e. children
  • The next of kin/legal representative’s home address

PCSE will then send the relevant forms to be completed by the next of kin/legal representative to their home address along with a covering letter.

The forms should be completed by the next of kin/legal representative and returned to PCSE along with original/certified copies of ID documents/marriage certificate/decree absolute/civil partnership and death certificate.

Forms should be submitted to PCSE via the enquiries form.

PCSE will calculate the initial widow/widowers pension benefits and send a letter to the next of kin/legal representative confirming the amounts to be paid.

PCSE will forward this information along with the forms that have been completed by the next of kin/legal representative to the NHS Pensions who will instruct the payment of the initial pension. NHS Pensions will calculate the benefits to be paid to the next of kin/dependents and will send a letter of confirmation.

Under normal circumstances, Pension Scheme Members who return to work within one month of taking 24 hour retirement must not work more than 16 hours per week in that month. This rule has been temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic which means members can return to work immediately after taking a minimum 24-hour retirement and continue their existing working commitments, or increase them, whilst they are in receipt of their full pension benefits.

For more detailed information, visit the NHSBSA website.

You can find the six key steps of the process to follow in our 'NHS Pensions Scheme Retirement Guide'.