§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make ex gratia pension payments to non-commissioned members of the armed forces who served prior to 1975 and did less than 22 years service. [18076]
§ Dr. MoonieNo. Priory to April 1975, there was no legal requirement for any public or private sector pension scheme to preserve pension rights for those who left service before reaching the normal retirement age. However, in the armed forces a pension could be paid after 22 years' reckonable service (16 years' reckonable service in the case of officers). Engagements for shorter periods were on non-pensionable terms, though gratuities were awarded to those who served less than the 22 years but had completed 12 years' reckonable service (nine years' in the case of officers). Most public and private sector pension schemes offered lesser benefits.