Author: AsstRegSec

Pension News Update

Know Your Military Pension Entitlement (5 to 12-year men)

The consequences of recent legislation as it affects preserved pensions is that any member of the Armed Forces who left service after 1 April 1975 and served over five years, might be entitled to a preserved pension.

If you left the Armed Forces before 1 April 1975 but had not qualified for a full pension (that is had served at least 16 years after the age of 21 as an officer, or at least 22 years after the age of 18 for a Rating/Other Rank), then you have no entitlement to a preserved pension.

The cohort that might be entitled to a preserved pension; is limited to those who left the Armed Forces after 1 April 1975. We must now address the word ‘might’, and this changes over time between 1975 and 1988. This is because pension entitlement has been progressively amended since 1975 through subsequent primary legislation or subordinate Statutory Instruments.

Point to note – all veterans need to apply for their pensions (AFPS Form 8), they are not automatic.

The form will download automatically when this link is clicked.

Should you need advice contact the Armed Forces Pensions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Or the Forces Pension Society – Championing Armed Forces Pensions since 1946

Update on HM Forces Veterans’ Cards

We receive quite a lot of enquiries about Veterans’ Cards and are aware that our members are keen to hear about advancements in this area.

The latest news is that work is underway to develop the digital verification system required to begin the second phase of the card rollout (to those who left the Armed Forces prior to December 2018).

The Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA) has led this work through the prototype stage, and it has now passed to the MOD for development and roll-out.

The Government will begin issuing cards by the end of this year and will be engaging with veterans over the coming months to participate in the Beta testing phase.

For future updates please visit GOV.UK where the latest news on progress will be shared.

70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

I was very privileged to represent the Regimental Association at a memorial event in Horse Guards Parade on the 27th of July 2023 to mark the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice.

Major Tom Dudley also attended the event representing the Commanding Officer and all serving ranks. Also in attendance in a personal capacity were Capt (Retd) Barry De Morgan, Capt (Retd) James Hirst, Capt (Retd) Mark Coldrey with his mother Victoria Coldrey and his wife Caroline Coldrey.

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RAC Resettlement Webinar – Thursday 27th July 2023

On behalf of the RAC Alumni, HQ RAC is hosting the third of a series of Resettlement Webinars on Thu 27th Jul 23 between 1600 – 1700hrs.

The overall aim of these webinars is ‘To better inform the RAC community of the world of opportunity outside the military’, and although these webinars were initially intended for any RAC serving officer or soldier that are considering leaving the service in the near future, and any member of the RAC Alumni that are considering a career change, they are very much open to the broader non-RAC serving and ex-military audience – all very welcome.

This third webinar in the series will aim to provide the opportunity for a deep dive into seven different business sectors as follows:

  • Teaching / Education
  • Insurance
  • Technology and Tech training
  • The Police Force
  • Management Consultancy
  • Recruitment
  • Civil Service

For more details on each deep dive, and to register for the webinar please follow this link: https://www.royalarmouredcorps.org.uk/Resettlement-Webinar

Many thanks,

Richard Watson

Lt Col (Retd) Richard Watson | RAC Corps Secretary | HQ RAC, Allenby Barracks, Bovington Camp, Wareham, DORSET, BH20 6JA

Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service

The Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) is now called Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service.

This brings the service in line with other Armed Forces healthcare services provided by the NHS in England, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service; Op NOVA; Supporting Veterans in the Justice System and, most recently Op COMMUNITY; Armed Forces Community Support, helping to build a recognisable suite of services.

The decision to rename the VTN, Op RESTORE, was informed by engagement with veterans, providers and charities over several months. We hope it will encourage people to feel confident in the NHS referral pathways.

Whilst there are some things the NHS will not be able to restore in full, we aim to support veterans to restore their health and quality of life as best we can.

Op RESTORE is a service for anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces and acquired a significant, lasting physical illness or injury as a result of their service.

Op RESTORE will continue to accept only GP referrals; GPs can obtain a referral form by emailing imperial.oprestore@nhs.net – this will be worth considering for those of you who are transiting out of Defence in the next couple of years.

Op RESTORE uses a network of both civilian and military consultants, along with welfare support from military charities, to support a veteran’s health using a holistic approach.

Whilst Op RESTORE cannot shorten NHS waiting times, it seeks to ensure the veteran ‘waits well’ and is seen by the most appropriate clinician for their needs.

Richard Watson

Lt Col (Retd) Richard Watson | RAC Corps Secretary

CR3 SME Role

This is a great opportunity for a Gunnery SI or SNCO / WO with ATDU experience to deliver the CR3 and Boxer Training Solution. Former SO2s or SO3s with Armd and Tech experience would also be attractive.

Please note I am not recruiting, just sharing the opportunity.

However, I did work on the successful bid and know the team and the Training Solution. I would be happy to provide more information to credible applicants via HHQ.

Alternatively, send an Initial response to gbaber@elbitsystems-ukas.com

Lt Col (Retd) Matt Cocup
(Contact via HHQ)

Job Specification

SME_CR3_Boxer_JD-003

70th Anniversary of The Korean Armistice

2023 marks 70 years since the signing of the armistice that bought about an end to military operations during the Korean War. 60,000 service personnel from across Britain and the Commonwealth saw action during the Korean War, with 1,100 losing their lives.

The 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars played a significant role in the war.

A record of their involvement can be found on the museum’s website.

The Royal British Legion will be marking this important milestone in an often-forgotten conflict with a special service of remembrance at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday 27 July from 11 am. 

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