NHS Pensions is seeing an increase in the amount of retirement benefit claim forms (AW8) being signed by the incorrect employing authorities.
If the member is a GP in England all GP pensions are administrated by Primary Care Support England (PCSE) and therefore all GP forms including the application to retire form AW8 must be submitted to PCSE via their online portal. The GP practice manager cannot sign the AW8.
If the member is a GP in Wales all GP pensions are administered by the primary care support team at the Local Health Board (LHB) and therefore all GP forms must be submitted to the LHB and cannot be signed by the GP practice manager.
If the member is a GDP (Dental) all GDP pensions are administered by NHSBSA Dental Services therefore the AW8 must be submitted to Dental Services and cannot be signed by the dental practice manager.
Incorrectly signed AW8’s cannot be actioned and will be returned. This could potentially delay the member’s application.