You can apply to transfer another pension into the NHS Pension Scheme. Any pension you transfer will be added to your NHS Pension benefits.
Moving within the NHS
If you move from one NHS employer in England and Wales to another, your NHS Pension Scheme benefits will automatically link. You do not need to apply to transfer.
Transferring from Scotland or Northern Ireland
NHS Scotland and HSC Northern Ireland have their own schemes. Your pension benefits will not transfer automatically if you move to an NHS employer in England and Wales. You'll need to apply to transfer them.
The scheme your benefits transfer into depends on which scheme you were in and when you left it.
Time limits on transfers
You must apply to transfer benefits into the 2015 Scheme:
- within 12 months of becoming eligible to join the Scheme for the first time
- before the normal pension age for this Scheme - your state pension age or age 65 if that’s higher
You can only transfer other pensions into the 2015 Scheme.
If you’re transferring final salary benefits from another public service pension scheme, you may be able to transfer them into the 2008 Section, which is the last open final salary section of the NHS Pension Scheme.
You must be under the normal pension age for this Section, which is 65 years old at the date of the transfer.
Transferring alternative pension benefits if you've retired with 1995 Section benefits
If you’ve retired and taken your 1995 Section benefits and returned to NHS work, you may be able to join the 2015 Scheme and build up further pension. This option became available from 1 April 2023.
Before this date, you could not build up further benefits in the NHS Pension Scheme. You may have had an alternative pension arrangement, such as the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), or not contributed to a pension at all.
Transferring your benefits
If you choose to end your membership to an alternative pension arrangement, such as NEST, and join the 2015 Scheme, you may be able to transfer your benefits.
You must apply to transfer benefits into the Scheme:
- within 12 months of becoming eligible to join the Scheme
- before the normal pension age for the Scheme - this is your state pension age, or age 65 if that's higher
What to do next
Speak to your employer, payroll or pensions officer before completing the transfer application pack. Let them know you want to join the NHS Pension Scheme and transfer a pension in. Your employer will then open a pension record for you.
How to apply
View the Transfer in guide and application pack (PDF: 1.2MB) and complete the application form.