This page was last updated 13 October 2025. We will usually update this page on a monthly basis.
Payments
| Payments | Target processing times |
|---|---|
| Payment of your retirement benefits |
We aim to pay your first pension payment within 30 calendar days from the date of your retirement, or from the date we receive all information required to process your application. We are currently processing a high volume of cases. In September 2025, 80% of new pension claims were paid within this 30 day target. Claims not paid within this timeframe were, on average, paid 12 days late. Some cases took longer. We are working hard to reduce delays and appreciate your patience at this time. |
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We aim to pay ill health retirement benefits within 25 working days from the date of your retirement, or from the date we received all information required to process your application. We are currently processing a high volume of cases. In September 2025, our average processing time, from an application being logged as payable on our system and all information being available to payment being issued, was 45 calendar days. Some cases took longer. We are working hard to reduce delays and appreciate your patience at this time. We continue to prioritise and pay Serious Ill Health benefits as a matter of urgency. |
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We aim to pay bereavement benefits within 35 calendar days from the date we received all information required. In September 2025, bereavement benefits were paid on average within 22 calendar days from the date we receive all information required. |
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Refund of your contributions after opting out of the NHS Pension Scheme |
Within 1 calendar month of receipt of your application. |
Estimates
| Estimates | Target processing times |
|---|---|
| Receiving your Estimate |
Within 40 working days of receipt of your request. |
Your Annual Benefit Statement for 2024-25 should now be available. You can access this using the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) or via My NHS Pension.
If you've not yet received your registration information for My NHS Pension, you can request your unique registration codes by using our online form and selecting 'My NHS Pension registration'.
Transfers
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Transfers in and out of the NHS Pension Scheme |
Target processing times |
|---|---|
| Receiving your transfer in estimate |
Within 2 calendar months of the receipt of your request. |
| Transfer in completion |
Within 2 calendar months of receiving payment from the old scheme. |
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Within 2 calendar months of the receipt of your request. |
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| Transfer out completion |
Within 6 calendar months of the receipt of your agreement to proceed with your application. |
Other service areas
| Other service areas | Target processing times |
|---|---|
| Pensions On Divorce - Receiving your Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) |
Within 3 calendar months from the date we receive all completed forms required. If you need your CETV urgently due to an upcoming court date, contact us with evidence of your court date at: pensionspod@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. |
| Nomination completion |
Within 30 working days of receipt of your request. If registered, you can update your nominations using My NHS Pension. For more information on registering, visit our My NHS Pension webpage. |
| Additional Pension Application |
Within 20 working days of receipt of your request. The new Additional Pension Calculator is now available: Additional Pension Calculator. |
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Within 20 working days of the receipt of your agreement to proceed with your application. |
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(Including missing service, MHO, special class, service statements) |
Within 55 working days of request. |
In some circumstances, it may take our teams longer to resolve your request. This could be because:
- your pension record and membership history may be complex
- we need more information from yourself or your employer
- you're affected by the Public Service Pensions Remedy (McCloud)