Civil Service Pensions Podcast

In our final minisode of Season 2, Liz Scully, Risk & Control Director, joins us to talk about pension fraud. What is it? How does it happen and can someone really steal your pension? Liz shares the warning signs to look out for, how we combat fraud and what you can do to protect your retirement savings. Useful links: Pension Fraud - Civil Service PensionsThe Pensions RegulatorInformation Commissioner’s OfficeFinancial Services RegisterFinancial Conduct Authority – Warning ListSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final full-length episode of this season, Rob & Emily chat to Sarj Wheelwright, Engagement Manager for Civil Service & Royal Mail Pensions about what our members are saying about pensions and this scheme. With recordings from live events over summer 2023, we hear members’ thoughts and views and where retirement planning sits among their financial priorities right now. From keeping up with the cost-of-living to managing day-to-day financial responsibilities, we listen and respond to members’ viewpoints and assumptions. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast Useful links: Partnership pension accountEarly retirementBenefits for your loved onesHow to boost your pensionMake a Death Benefit NominationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this minisode, Cathryn Murray, Training & Engagement Manager, shares the 6 things you can do to kick-start your retirement planning. From transferring in an old workplace pension, to nominating a beneficiary and joining a Pension Power webinar – this episode could be your quick checklist to lay the foundation for your financial future. Useful links: civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcastTransferring in an old pensionProvisional Transfer In Application FormPension PortalMake a Death Benefit NominationAnnual Benefit StatementsPension PowerSign up for updates from the schemeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 45 years working in HMRC, Gerald had big plans for his retirement. But those plans were turned upside down when health issues rendered him too ill to work. In this episode, Gerald talks to Rob and Emily about his experience of having to leave work through the Ill Health Retirement route, earlier than he had planned. Navigating retirement with an invisible illness brought a unique set of challenges for Gerald. One of the toughest decisions was to leave behind the attachment he had to his career in the ‘Tax Office’, such as his reference books and professional registrations. In time, things got easier and he was able to focus on something he’s always enjoyed – literature. After trying his hand at writing historical crime fiction (the kind of books he’d always reached for), he landed a publishing deal, three months of completing his first book. He’s now in the process of writing the fifth book in his series, and shares his perspective on this new line of work in retirement. Useful links: Ill Health RetirementSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this minisode, we share a sneak preview of our conversation with Gerald, who took ill health retirement after a long career in HMRC. Gerald tells us about a shock diagnosis that turned his retirement plans upside down, forcing him to leave work behind earlier than he’d planned. He talks about how he adapted to his new lifestyle and condition and how he was able to take up a whole new line of work. Look out for Gerald’s story in full next week, wherever you get your podcasts. Useful links: Ill Health RetirementSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So, what do you do?” It’s often the first question we ask when we meet someone new, and it can tell a lot about who they are… or can it? Cilla Christmas (Valuation & Strategic Review Manager and Co-Chair of the Civil Service Carers Network) returns to the podcast to discuss the idea that our jobs can be a defining part of our identity. Rob shares his experience of being furloughed in 2020 during the first COVID19 lockdown, and how even for that short period, without work, he questioned who he was. With many people working remotely, the lines between work life and home life are more blurred than ever. So when it comes to leaving work behind for good, how do we avoid an identity crisis? Could Partial retirement be the answer? Leaving work behind for good may be a daunting prospect, but it should also be a wonderful opportunity to re-discover your passions. Cilla reminds us why planning and preparing for your retirement years is so important. Useful links: Partial retirementUniversity of the Third AgeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, we issue Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) to active members of the scheme. To help you understand your ABS, Emily Wilson, Senior Training Consultant from MyCSP takes listeners through their statement, step by step and page by page. Helping you to better understand how your pension is doing and plan for the future. Emily also answers some of the most common queries we receive into the contact centre and explains how you find out more. Useful links: Annual Benefit StatementsPension Portal (and pre-populated modeller)Retirement ModellerTools and calculatorsHow to make a death benefit nominationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often say it’s never too early to start thinking about your retirement, but what if you’re coming to it later in life? Whether you’ve been through a divorce, had a career-break or can see your retirement on the horizon, there are many ways to get the most out of your pension, whatever your circumstances. This week, we’re joined by Liliana Gonzalez, Training Consultant at Civil Service Pensions, who tells us why it’s never too late to start planning for your financial future and retirement. She explains how you can boost your retirement savings by taking practical steps from Effective Pension Age (EPA) and Added Pension to Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs). Liliana also reminds us that the Pension Portal is the fastest way to check on how much your pension is worth, get a forecast for your retirement using our Retirement Modeller and make sure all the information we have for you is correct, especially if we need to contact you. All episodes in Season 2 were recorded between June – August 2023, and are accurate at the time of recording. Useful links: Increasing your pensionPension PortalRetirement ModellerTools and calculatorsYearly Pensions Increase (PI)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our second minisode focuses on the 2015 Remedy (McCloud). Ian Korner, Civil Service Pensions Policy Lead talks about this important topic, what it is, how it works and if you could be affected. The legislation will be implemented from October 2023, so have a listen to Ian’s explanation on how it will be delivered and where to find out more. All Season 2 episodes were recorded between June – August 2023. All information shared is accurate at the time of recording. Useful links: 2015 Remedy UpdatesAm I affected? toolRemedy Benefits Illustrator2015 Remedy pension scams For full episode on 28th September. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we chat to Mary, who decided to take partial retirement after a fulfilling career in the DVSA. She was a civil servant for almost 30 years and while she loves her job, it’s clear she’s having the time of her life in retirement so far. Mary tells us about her initial decision to leave work behind for good, but a chance-encounter with a colleague made her re-evaluate and opt for partial retirement instead. It’s given her the right work/life balance as she eases herself towards her post-work years. Keeping one foot in the ‘work door’ meant she could continue doing what she loved, whilst having more time to do things she enjoys outside of work – such as travelling, spending time with her family and meeting new people. Splitting her time between the UK and Turkey, she talks about the importance of having a good pension behind you to support the lifestyle you want after you leave work. She also shares advice for those approaching retirement or considering partial retirement. Find out more about your Civil Service Pension at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk Useful links: Partial retirement Partial retirement calculator All episodes were recorded between June-August 2023, and all information shared in this series is accurate at the time of recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our first minisode of the series, we share a sneak preview of our conversation with Mary, who took partial retirement after almost 27 years in the DVSA. Mary tells us about her life after taking a step back from work, whilst continuing to do a job she loves on her own terms. She talks about splitting her time between the UK and Turkey, the support she’s received from her family and her partner’s concerns when it came to leaving work behind for good. Look out for Mary’s full episode next week, wherever you get your podcasts. You can find out more about partial retirement at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/partial-retirement All episodes were recorded between June-August 2023, and all information shared in this series is accurate at the time of recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year, many of us have felt the squeeze on our finances caused by the cost-of-living increases. If you’ve been worried that saving for your future might be leaving you short of money in the present, this episode is for you. Kicking off the series, Kerrie Cureton-Williams, Deputy Director of Civil Service & Royal Mail Pensions in the Cabinet Office and Thomas Lynas, Money Advice Supervisor at the Charity for Civil Servants, chat to Rob and Emily about the cost-of-living. We dive into what we mean by ‘the cost-of-living’, and what’s happening to cause the increases we’ve been seeing over the last 12 months. Kerrie reminds us of some of the benefits of staying in the scheme, including the generous employer contributions, the ability to partially retire and the benefits for your loved ones in case the unthinkable happens. There’s also built-in flexibility within the Civil Service Pension arrangements in the form of the partnership pension account. Partnership is a defined contribution scheme which can give you more flexibility over your contributions – you can even stop contributing for a while, if you need a break – and your employer will still contribute on your behalf. We also talk about ways that members can make sure that saving for tomorrow doesn’t leave them short of money today, and Thomas shares some money-saving tips to help keep costs down. Finally, we talk about where members can find out more, including free tools, resources and guidance available from MoneyHelper and PensionWise. Find out more about your civil service pension at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk Useful links: Benefit calculatorsBenefits for your loved onesPartnership pension accountPartial retirementMoneyHelperPensionWiseCharity for Civil ServantsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back for a season 2 of the Civil Service Pensions Podcast, with new topics and questions for our guest speakers. How does the cost-of-living affect your pension? Are we all heading for an identity crisis in retirement? Is it true that someone can actually steal your pension? Plus, we hear what members think about the scheme and explore new retirement journeys – including how Gerald left work behind for the sake of his health, and Mary’s adventures made possible by taking partial retirement. We’re also bringing you six 'minisodes' of bonus content to help you really get to grips with your Civil Service Pension and make more informed choices about your future. Whether you’re approaching retirement now or just getting started with your career, there’s something for everyone. All episodes of Season 2 were recorded between June-August 2023 and all information was accurate at the time of recording. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of this series, Rob and Emily chat to Mick Mulligan, Head of Engagement for Civil Service and Royal Mail Pensions in the Cabinet Office, and Emily Wilson, Senior Training Consultant at MyCSP. There are many common life events that most of us go through at one stage or another-from getting a new job and joining the scheme, to getting a promotion, taking a career break, having children and beyond. Mick and Emily share how these events can impact your pension. While not everyone will experience all of these events, it's important to understand what they might mean for your pension and retirement planning. Your pension could be one of your largest and most valuable assets by slowly building up overtime, so it's important to factor it into any major career/life decisions you make. Find out more atcivilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob and Emily are joined by Andy Jones, Engagement Manager for Civil Service and RoyalMail Pensions in the Cabinet Office, and Jane Bates, Head of Life Events at MyCSP. They discuss what happens to your pension if you leave the Civil Service or opt out of the scheme. We know that the vast majority of members stay in the scheme once they're opted in by their employer, but a small number opt out. We talk to Andy about some of the factors that may drive people to leave the scheme, such as other financial priorities, investing in property instead, or simply not prioritising retirement planning yet. The decisions you make now can have a huge impact later on in life and our online tools can help members understand how their pension builds up over time. Andy and Jane highlight that the scheme not only provides for you, it can also provide invaluable support to your loved ones in the event of your death. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James is 32 years old, lives in Liverpool and is a Policy Advisor in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He's also about to become a dad...but he doesn't really know much about his pension. In this episode, James chats to Rob and Emily about his perspective on why some of our younger members could be less engaged with their pension and may not be planning for their retirement yet. Also joining us is Cathryn Murray, Training & Engagement Manager at MyCSP, who leads a team dedicated to training, educating and empowering members to understand their pension and what it can do for them in the long term. Cathryn explains that it's never too early to be thinking about your retirement or to start planning for it, and the earlier you start, the better! It doesn't have to be at the top of your list, but it's important to remember that your pension is the biggest employment benefit after your salary. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rob and Emily are joined by guests from the Cabinet Office to discuss the Gender Pension Gap and why half the UK’s population may be facing an unbalanced future in retirement. Cilla Christmas, Valuation and Strategic Review Manager and Co-Chair of the Civil Service Carer's Network, and Sarj Wheelwright, Stakeholder and Engagement Manager for Civil Service and Royal Mail Pensions talk us through the social, political and economic drivers of the Gender Pension Gap. We explore the key facts, figures and research around this issue, and Cilla and Sarj talk about their own experiences. From workplaces that used to automatically place women on temporary contracts when they got married; balancing childcare responsibilities with their careers; to dividing assets when going through the divorce process. We also hear some practical tips and advice that may help mitigate the impact of the Gender Pension Gap. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Linda shares her story and retirement experiences. From unconscious bias to thermal underwear, this episode is guaranteed to leave you thinking about your financial future in a different way. Linda is a former civil servant who worked for 45 years at HM Revenue & Customs before retiring in 2019. Her retirement story is unique, and she gives us a lot of food for thought about planning for our own financial futures. From studying for a degree and volunteering at Southwark Cathedral, to navigating the unconscious bias in society as a post-menopausal woman, it's clear that Linda's retirement years are proving to be the best ones yet, and many of the things she's doing are made possible because of her Civil Service pension. She also shares some words of wisdom for members approaching retirement about how to mentally prepare for one of the biggest lifestyle changes you'll ever experience, and how it's never too early to start thinking about your retirement - even if you're in your 20s and 30s. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had a question about pensions that you were afraid to ask? We've got you covered. No question is too small as we kick off the series with Dominic Arthur, Director of Pensions and Government Recruitment, Cabinet Office and Duncan Watson, Chief Executive, MyCSP. They chat to our hosts Rob and Emily about the basics of pensions - what is a pension? Why is it important? What makes it better than saving your money in other ways? And why is this particular scheme so good? Between them, Dominic and Duncan have over 50 years’ experience in the pensions industry, so they’re perfectly placed to help you get to grips with how everything works. We explore the differences between a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution scheme, the key benefits of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and some advice for members on how to start your retirement planning, whatever stage of life you’re at. Find out more at civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of the best workplace pension schemes in the UK public sector. But what makes it so good? We want members of the scheme to feel informed and empowered when it comes to planning for their financial future, but we know that pensions can feel complicated and difficult to understand. This podcast aims to make things simple - whether you're working or retired, if you've left the Civil Service - or even if you're thinking about joining the Civil Service - there's something for everyone. Hosts Rob Walker and Emily Eccles from MyCSP (the scheme administrator for Civil Service Pensions) take things back to basics. Their conversations will help you get to grips with your pension and even make some informed decisions about your future. No question is too small and no answer is too complex. Each episode explores different aspects of the scheme. With expert guests and members talking about their life experiences and perspectives, and how these events have affected their views on retirement and their pension. Each informative episode could help you think about your pension in different ways. Many people believe that a pension is something to think about later in life, or something to get round to dealing with eventually. That just isn't true. It’s never too early to start saving or planning for your future beyond work. Your pension is one of your most valuable assets and the decisions you make now can have a huge impact further down the line. It is a crucial personal financial benefit and your ticket to living your best life when you're no longer working. It's key to making your retirement years as fulfilling and rewarding as possible. From learning the basics, we explore a number of topics surrounding pensions and the scheme itself. Our first series features case studies of members in their 20s and 30s through to retirement, as well as discussions around the Gender Pension Gap, discovering how common life events can affect your ability to save for the future and the steps you can take to boost your pension. Even if you've never worked for the Civil Service before, this podcast is full of useful information and advice for anyone with a workplace pension. The first two episodes release on the 8th of September. We hope you enjoy it. To find out more about the scheme, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.