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  • Members like me

    Topics:
    • Working in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, 
    • Key sections and resources for NICS Pension Schemes Members

    Check out the members below who might be in a similar situation to you, from a new joiner, all the way to thinking about retirement. See what they, and you, should be looking at next.

    Liam, 66, is thinking about retiring

    I’ve been in the Civil Service for my entire working life, in classic, and I’m thinking about retiring. I’m not sure how I go about claiming my pension, and how much I’ll get?

    • classic retirement benefits – a brief guide to the other benefits available

    Mary, 54, is thinking about reducing her working hours

    I’ve worked for NICS for 32 years. In that time, I’ve moved around a few departments, took some time off to have my two children and now I’m starting to think about taking things a little easier. I was thinking about going part-time but wasn’t sure about the effect it would have on my pension

    • changing working patterns fact sheet – part time and seasonal working

    I'm due to move into alpha soon, does working part time have the same effect on the alpha pension I'll build up?

    • general information - section 1 of the alpha scheme guide

    Peter, 56, wants to retire at 60, and wants to start planning now

    I’m in classic so I can retire at 60. My employer is offering a pre-retirement seminar, but I was wondering if there was anything else I could look into?

    • thinking about retirement - a brief guide to the benefits available

    I have some savings too, and I’d like to use them to add a bit to my pension. Is there a way I can see how much pension this could buy me?

    Classic, Classic Plus, Premium, Nuvos and alpha added pension calculator

    Emma, 25, wants to know if her family will be looked after when she dies

    I’ve recently had my first child and it’s got me thinking about the future. I want to make sure that my loved ones are looked after when I’m gone. What do I need to think about with regards to my pension?

    • quick start guide to dependants benefits

    Is there anywhere I can find out how the time off I had during my maternity leave will have affected my pension?

    • life events - section 3 of the alpha scheme guide

    Kevin, 23, has just joined alpha and wants to find out more

    I joined the Civil Service last year. I’m in something called the ‘alpha’ scheme but I don't really know much about it. I’ve heard my colleagues talking about their pension plans, buying EPA (whatever that means). I know my retirement is years away but what are the things I should be considering?

    • alpha scheme guide
    • a quick start guide - you have joined a NICS pension scheme

    Mick, 60, wants to know more about partial retirement

    I’m in the premium scheme and have recently started thinking about partial retirement.

    I just want to find out more about it initially so I can decide whether it’s the right choice for me but don’t know where to start… I'm not ready to fully retire yet!

    • partial retirement - a guide for scheme members

    Karen, 56, wants to know more about the classic scheme

    I’ve been a Civil Servant for 27 years. I’m in the classic scheme and will be coming up for retirement in five years’ time. It’s got me thinking that I need to get my affairs in order. Things like my partner and I have been together for 30 years but we're not married, what do I need to consider?

    • your classic benefits explained - a guide to the benefits available

    In classic, I know I get an automatic lump sum, is there a way I can find out how much I can increase the amount of lump sum that I can get?

    lump sum calculator

    Stephen, 41, wants more money for his retirement

    I’ve heard about the Additional Voluntary Contributions that you can make so that I’ll have some extra money when I retire. Where can I find out more information so I can decide whether it’s the right thing for me?

    • The Northern Ireland Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (NICSAVCS) - a brief guide

    I’m in alpha, is there anywhere I can look into the other options I have to increase my retirement pension?

    • taking control of your retirement planning - section 2 of the alpha scheme guide

    Margaret, 49, is thinking about buying some added pension

    As I get older, I've started to think about getting my retirement plans in order. I want to make sure I can enjoy my free time after working for so long. I've heard that I can buy added pension but I'm not sure what it involves

    • quick start guide to added pension

    Where can I find out if, as an alpha member, I’m able to buy added pension?

    • taking control of your retirement planning - section 2 of the alpha scheme guide

    David, 24, has just received his Pension Choices form

    I’ve just received a form called ‘pensions choices’ and I’m not sure whether to pick partnership or alpha. Where can I get more information about the schemes?

    • Pension Choices, alpha or partnership: an overview

    Related content

    • Added Pension
    • Added Pension - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • alpha Regulations
    • An introduction to alpha
    • Associated Scheme Rules
    • Death Benefit Nomination
    • Employee Pension Notices
    • EPA (Effective Pension Age)
    • Ill-Health Retirement
    • Ill-Health Retirement - Members affected by Remedy
    • Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Key Remedy Dates and Jargon Buster
    • Moving to the alpha pension scheme in April 2022
    • NICS Pension Schemes - Member Calculators
    • NICS Pension Schemes Members - Publications
    • NICS Pension Schemes – Member forms
    • Northern Ireland Civil Service Pension Scheme Valuations
    • Partnership pension account
    • PCSPS(NI) Rules
    • Quick Start Guides
    • Second Phase of 2015 Remedy (McCloud) – Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statements
    • Transfers
    • What to expect
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