Frequently Asked Questions

A: Pension accrues on the basis of your Pensionable Service and your Final Pensionable Salary. For many Fund members, assuming their contractual arrangements remain the same throughout their Pensionable Service, it's simply a case of the pension being calculated as one 54th or one 60th of Final Pensionable Salary for each year of Pensionable Service, depending on the Section that applies to you.

However, if different contractual hours have applied during your Pensionable service, the calculation is based on the full-time equivalent Final Pensionable Salary but service is pro-rated for periods of lesser or greater hours.

For example, an employee who has been a member of the Pre-2009 Section since the end of 1995 and whose service has been full time since that date, changes his or her contractual hours at the end of 2010 to work 3 days a week. His or her full time salary was £40,000 a year. The employee subsequently leaves Company service in 2015. The five years working at 3 days a week is pro-rated to 3 years’ service.

The calculation of that employee’s pension would be as follows:

1995 - 2010: 1/54 x 15 years x £40,000 = £11,111
2011 - 2015: 1/54 x 3 years x £40,000 = £ 2,222

Total Pension payable at Normal Pension Date = £13,333 a year

Q: I understand that members do not pay pension contributions on reaching 36 years’ pensionable service. Does my pension grow once I have completed 36 years’ service?

A: Yes. Although SOCPF member contributions for Pre-2009 Section members cease after 36 years’ Pensionable Service, the pension still continues to accrue at the rate of one 54th of your Pensionable Salary a year (and part year) of service. SOCPF member contributions for Post-2009 Section members continue after 36 years’ Pensionable Service and the pension continues to accrue at the rate of one 60th of your Pensionable Salary a year (and part year) of service.

Q: What do I do if I want to take my pension early?

A: You may take your pension after the age of 55 and before Pension Age if you leave Company service. You must have at least two years’ Pensionable Service or have transferred benefits in.

You have to resign from the Company (giving at least your contractual notice) and notify the Pensions Administration Team that you want to take your pension straight away. The Pensions Administration Team will then send you the relevant forms to complete in order to set up the pension. An early retirement factor will be applied for each year you retire before Pension Age and this factor is subject to periodic review.

Q: If I transfer to the UK do I lose my rights as a Pre-2009 Section member?

A: No. You will become a deferred member of the SOCPF Pre-2009 Section, but if you return to work overseas and have been in continuous Pensionable Service in the SCPF while you were in the UK, then you will be able to rejoin the Pre-2009 Section as an active member.

The Linked fund membership factsheet gives full details of how the two funds are designed to complement each other.

Q: When will I receive the annual pension benefit statement?

A. Annual Pension Benefit Statements are usually available online in June or July. We will send an email to members when the new statement is ready to view on Member Self Service.

You can access your old statements by logging in with your username and password and going to “Your Documents”.

Q: Who is my nominated beneficiary for Death in Service Lump Sum?

A: Your Death in Service Nomination Form is held on your personal file, so you should contact the HR service desk who should be able to check the details for you. If your personal circumstances change you should complete a new form which will replace any previous nominations.

Q: Can I attend a pre-retirement course?

A: The Company offers pre-retirement webinars to employees leaving with an immediate pension and employees approaching Normal Pension Date. You can reserve your place at a webinar on the online booking site.