Thinking of retiring?
We know not everyone’s retirement journey is the same and yours will depend on your individual circumstances. If you have worked or volunteered in health and social care across England, Scotland and Wales then we are here to help you be prepared and plan for the next step in life. Whether you have been retired for a while, have recently retired or have retired and returned, you are welcome to join us. We can’t offer you financial or pensions advice directly but some of these services are available to you through our benefits.
Choose your retirement
Check out what your own Trust or Health Board (or other employer) offers staff and volunteers as part of their retirement package. Retire and return is an increasingly popular option as a step into retirement whilst still retaining your skills, experience and expertise for the benefit of the NHS and its patients.
Pension support
Here you will find useful information to help you access your NHS Pension in the timescales you need.
You can check your ESR Total Reward Statement or visit My NHS Pension – Welcome to your NHS Pension Portal if you live in England or Wales or NHS | SPPA if you live in Scotland.
Financial advice
If you are worried about your finances after retirement, you can visit Money and legal advice for seniors | Age UK or access the range of financial advisors available at discount through membership of the NHS Retirement Fellowship.
* We can’t offer financial advice directly, but some services are available through our benefits. Please check with providers for details.
Join the NHS Retirement Fellowship
And don’t forget to join the NHS Retirement Fellowship! We have a large national network of like-minded people with a similar work history and a passion for the NHS and branches across the country. Join us at the NHS Retirement Fellowship today!
It’s ok not to have a plan as to what you’ll be doing in retirement, the plan will come. It takes time to switch off from a busy career. Take the time to get used to having ‘your time’ and lots of it. In quiet reflection your plan of what to do will come. It’s like stepping out of the forest and looking in, you’ll be able to see clearly.
Utsha,
London
I would say that unless you already have a specific activity you want to do/take part in more often, don’t rush into doing new things straight away. Take time to think about what you would like to do. Find out if there is a local group/groups for the activity. Find out how much it might cost you (there are often free trial “sessions”. Is it easy to reach the venue - particularly if you haven’t got your own transport? If you want to volunteer think about the type of volunteering such as in a shop, befriending people, helping people in specific situations. There's a lot of opportunities and it might take you a while to find the right one for you so take your time - you’ve got more of it now!
Jane,
Eastbourne