Do you understand your options and all information surrounding Armed Forces Pensions?
Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week 2024 takes place from 9-13 September. It’s a critical reminder to UK Armed Forces Veterans and current service members of the importance of understanding their pension schemes.
Organised by the Forces Pension Society (FPS) and supported by Cobseo, this annual initiative aims to raise awareness about the benefits of planning ahead for retirement and ensuring individuals are fully informed about their pension entitlements.
Why it’s important to get informed about your Armed Forces Pension
For many serving personnel and Veterans, pension schemes may seem complex – so it can be confusing knowing which benefits are available and when they can be accessed.
Misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about AFPS can lead to missed opportunities, particularly when it comes to knowing the right time to claim a pension or understanding eligibility for benefits like Early Departure Payments (EDPs) or Dependants’ benefits.
AFPS have undergone several changes over the years, so understanding your options is crucial for making sound financial decisions that will stand you in good stead for the future.
Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week is here to help
Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week isn’t just about education – it’s about emphasising the importance of early financial planning. Life after service can bring financial uncertainty, so a clearly-understood pension plan can offer peace of mind, ensuring a more secure future.
During Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week, the FPS will offer webinars, live sessions, and resources to explain the nuances of the AFPS. Serving personnel, Veterans, and their families are encouraged to attend to clarify their doubts and get advice from experts.
The week will also feature myth-busting information to dispel common misunderstandings and provide tailored guidance for individuals based on service duration and pension scheme.
How the Forces Pension Society are helping Veterans
The FPS knows that navigating the transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life is challenging enough without added challenges from not understanding AF pensions.
During Armed Forces Pension Awareness Week, they’ll offer tips and guidance for Veterans. Thursday 12th September will focus on Veterans, so keep an eye on all their social media platforms.
The FPS will also deliver a pensions briefing in November (date to be published soon) – and in October, they’ll present for the Forces Employment Charity you can – find more information here. Supporting these efforts, they’ve run a Veterans Unclaimed Pensions campaign for several years.
For those looking to get involved or seeking guidance…
The main resources available include the Forces Pension Society website, Cobseo, and related social media channels. These platforms offer a wealth of information from factsheets to real-time Q&A sessions, helping ensure Armed Forces members can confidently manage their pension and future financial well-being.
The MoD are also running their own Pension Awareness Week agenda – find more details here (serving personnel only).
Veterans Outreach Support receives numerous questions on the subject – from as far afield as Melbourne, Australia! – so we know this topic is still not fully understood. Help us, and other charities, to help our Veterans.
VOS can also help out its service users with information on Armed Forces Pensions, including preserved pensions. If you are a VOS service user and need some help, then please get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
Find full information from the Forces Pension Society here.
Find further information from Cobseo here.
Find further information on Veterans UK here.
Finally, if you have questions about your Armed Forces Pension, you can use the contact details below for help on your armed forces pension:
Joint Personnel Administration Centre (JPAC)
Mail Point 480
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX
Phone: 0800 085 3600
Email: dbs-pensionshelp@dbspv.mod.uk
VOS is here to support veterans from the UK Armed Forces service, the Merchant Navy, and their partners. If you know a veteran (from any time of service) located in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Gosport, Fareham or the Solent area, please pass our details along.
If you’re a veteran or partner and are thinking about getting in touch, we would love to hear from you. Call us on 02392 731 767, visit one of our drop-ins, or email admin@vosuk.org.
Please note that VOS is not a crisis service. If you need immediate support, please contact one of the following:
- Your GP or NHS 111
- Attend A&E or call 999 for medical emergencies
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- A trusted family member or friend
