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Raf Pvr
Hi
I was wondering under what conditions a PVR (premature voluntary retirement) is allowable? The case being if one was to sign on for a permanent commission then wanted to retire before the completing 18 years.
I understand many good officers that signed on for a short service commission are having to leave the RAF (without a choice to extend to a permanent commission) due to downsizing of the RAF.
Any help would be appreciated
I was wondering under what conditions a PVR (premature voluntary retirement) is allowable? The case being if one was to sign on for a permanent commission then wanted to retire before the completing 18 years.
I understand many good officers that signed on for a short service commission are having to leave the RAF (without a choice to extend to a permanent commission) due to downsizing of the RAF.
Any help would be appreciated
To get an accurate answer you need to have the latest paperwork in front of you, and I haven't. But generally:
a) You can only PVR after you have ammortised your training costs. This time period varies by Branch, I think it's about 6 years for aircrew, probably more like 6 weeks for Admin (Sec)
b) You have to stay in for a certain length of time after submitting your paperwork, this varies depending on the Service needs, latest times are available in Admin Wing, but is generally 12-18 months IIRC.
c) PVR is/can be very costly in terms of pension/gratuity losses and shouldn't be 'planned' on.
a) You can only PVR after you have ammortised your training costs. This time period varies by Branch, I think it's about 6 years for aircrew, probably more like 6 weeks for Admin (Sec)
b) You have to stay in for a certain length of time after submitting your paperwork, this varies depending on the Service needs, latest times are available in Admin Wing, but is generally 12-18 months IIRC.
c) PVR is/can be very costly in terms of pension/gratuity losses and shouldn't be 'planned' on.
Reply 2
sccowell
OP
Thanks
Just wondering at the moment whether to go for Short or Permanent commission. One officer I spoke to said without a doubt go permanent then you can always pvr.
I certainly wouldn't want to be in a position after 6 years of wanting to carry on but not being able to (due to short commission). Would you be any worse off from choosing permanent with a pvr after 6 years over choosing short service commission (6 years) and leaving after that?
Just wondering at the moment whether to go for Short or Permanent commission. One officer I spoke to said without a doubt go permanent then you can always pvr.
I certainly wouldn't want to be in a position after 6 years of wanting to carry on but not being able to (due to short commission). Would you be any worse off from choosing permanent with a pvr after 6 years over choosing short service commission (6 years) and leaving after that?
To be honest, I can't say definitively, and it would be tricky to find out unless you know a currently serving officer who could look up the facts and figures for you. The pension system changed on 1 April and anyone joining after that date is on the new system.
In principle, if you are not certain how long you want your career to be, then if offered a PC, the best bet is to take it, because a PVR is likely to be honoured, even if it takes time, whereas the move from a SSC to a PC can never be certain, however good you are.
The pay is the same whether you are on a SCC or a PC, but I am not sure that the terminal benefits would be the same if you had served the same amount of time and completed your SSC versus PVR'ing from a PC. In approximate terms, retiring from a SSC gives you a small, immediate gratuity, not sure how much. PVR'ing from a PC would give you a preserved pension, payable from the age of 55 (if you had only done 6 years productive service this might be about 5kpa), but I am not sure if you would get a lump sum. For comparison, if you completed your PC and then left, you would get an immediately payable pension of about 12kpa and a gratuity of about 40k, and you pension would increase by inflation from the age of 55 - the best possible pension deal allowed under the previous govt legislation. In all probability, the difference between benefits of completing a SSC and PVRing from a PC would be negligible given your age and earning potential in your new career.
I can't think of any way that you would be 'worse off' than financially, unless you include issues such as taking a PC slot from someone who was totally committed to a full career - but that gets all rather nebulous.
Bottom line, take a PC if offered, it allows you control over both options, stay or go.
In principle, if you are not certain how long you want your career to be, then if offered a PC, the best bet is to take it, because a PVR is likely to be honoured, even if it takes time, whereas the move from a SSC to a PC can never be certain, however good you are.
The pay is the same whether you are on a SCC or a PC, but I am not sure that the terminal benefits would be the same if you had served the same amount of time and completed your SSC versus PVR'ing from a PC. In approximate terms, retiring from a SSC gives you a small, immediate gratuity, not sure how much. PVR'ing from a PC would give you a preserved pension, payable from the age of 55 (if you had only done 6 years productive service this might be about 5kpa), but I am not sure if you would get a lump sum. For comparison, if you completed your PC and then left, you would get an immediately payable pension of about 12kpa and a gratuity of about 40k, and you pension would increase by inflation from the age of 55 - the best possible pension deal allowed under the previous govt legislation. In all probability, the difference between benefits of completing a SSC and PVRing from a PC would be negligible given your age and earning potential in your new career.
I can't think of any way that you would be 'worse off' than financially, unless you include issues such as taking a PC slot from someone who was totally committed to a full career - but that gets all rather nebulous.
Bottom line, take a PC if offered, it allows you control over both options, stay or go.
Reply 4
In addition: Find out whether you can actually get a PC with the branch you are going for, it is not a matter of choice in some branches at the moment. Not sure if AFCOs hold this information but they should do, if not phone OASC they definitely know.
Reply 6
Joy!! oh well, I had best make the most of the time they are offering me!
Just remember StaVix, there is a certain logic to the argument that if you are doing a good job by the time it comes to requesting a PC, and they are closing the branch, then you might actually stand a better chance of getting offered a PC. The reason? well if you have actually proven that you can do the job, and you are cheaper than Aircrew to employ, you are worth keeping on. Remember, the job needs doing, it's just a question of who is best to do it.
Reply 8
sccowell
OP
Thanks for your help Threeportdrift!!!
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