§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the pensions rights of individuals in their main job are protected during periods of service as an armed forces reservist; and if he will make a statement. [93342]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence has arrangements in place to ensure that reservists who are called-out for permanent service with the armed forces are not disadvantaged in pension terms.
Individuals may have a number of pension options dependent on their personal circumstances. Those individuals who wish to remain in their civilian pension scheme during their period of called-out service can do so and the MOD will meet the cost of the employer 641W contribution to the pension scheme. Alternatively, individuals may opt to have the period of their called-out service covered by MOD's full time reserve service pension arrangements, or they can opt to be contracted-in to the state pension arrangements (state second pension). Those individuals who have previous service that gave them pension rights under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) may opt for an enhancement to their AFPS pension rights.