# The National Health Service Pension Scheme Regulations 2015, Regulation 81: Premature retirement in the interests of efficiency


(1) A relevant member (M) is entitled to payment of a premature retirement pension from the entitlement day if—
(a) M has reached normal minimum pension age but has not reached normal pension age;
(b) M is qualified for retirement benefits;
(c) M's pensionable employment has been terminated by M's employing authority in the interests of the efficient discharge of the functions of M's employing authority;
(d) M's employing authority gives written notice to the scheme manager pursuant to paragraph (2);
(e) the scheme manager certifies that M's employment is terminated in the interests of the efficient discharge of the employing authority's functions;
(f) M has ceased to be employed in NHS employment; and
(g) not later than 6 months after M's employment is terminated, M applies under paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 for payment of a premature retirement pension.
(2) The notice must state that—
(a) M's pensionable employment was terminated in the interests of the efficient discharge of the employing authority's functions;
(b) M has at least 2 years' continuous employment determined in accordance with any terms and conditions applying to the employment;
(c) the employing authority agrees that a premature retirement pension should become payable to M; and
(d) M has not unreasonably refused—
(i) to seek suitable alternative employment; or
(ii) to accept an offer of such employment.
(3) A certificate under paragraph (1)(e) may be given only with the agreement of M's employing authority.
(4) A premature retirement pension is payable for life.
(5) A relevant member is a member who is not—
(a) a practitioner;
(b) a non-GP provider; or
(c) practice staff.
(6) Part 4 of Schedule 13 has effect in respect of the calculation of the amount of a premature retirement pension.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/94/regulation/81 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/national-health-service-pension-scheme-regulations-2015/regulation-81
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.