Accessing Your NHS Pension Through 24-Hour Retirement: A Buxton Coates Solicitors Guide for Dentists

For NHS dentists, there may be an opportunity to access pension benefits through a mechanism known as "24-hour retirement." This process allows eligible practitioners to take a brief period of formal retirement, enabling them to begin drawing their NHS pension benefits—provided specific conditions are met, including holding both an active performer number and NHS contract number directly linked to the NHS pension scheme.

What Is a 24-Hour Retirement?

A 24-hour retirement refers to a structured process whereby NHS dentists operating under General Dental Services (GDS) or Personal Dental Services (PDS) contracts temporarily retire without permanently terminating their NHS contract or selling their practice.

To facilitate this, the contract provider enters into either a temporary or ongoing partnership with another dentist registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). Typically arranged over a weekend, this allows the contract to be temporarily transferred to the new partner, enabling the original provider to officially retire for a minimum of 24 hours. Once this period has passed, the partner resigns, and the contract is transferred back into the original provider’s name.

Upon completion, the dentist can return to practice and begin receiving NHS pension payments—either as a lump sum or through monthly disbursements.

Why Is It Recommended to Retire Over a Weekend?

Completing the 24-hour retirement process over a weekend is strongly advised, as it reduces the administrative burden and avoids triggering regulatory requirements. Because no regulated clinical activities take place during weekends, the process does not necessitate a new registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In contrast, executing the process during the working week would require a new CQC registration, which typically involves a waiting period of 12 to 16 weeks. Conversely, the NHS Pension Scheme only requires a 12-week notice period to process retirement claims.

How Can I Access My NHS Pension?

If you are still employed within the NHS, you will need to submit a retirement benefits claim form (AW8) to NHS Pensions. It is still possible to access your pension benefits even if you have opted out of the pension scheme, reached maximum pensionable membership, or attained the scheme's maximum age—so long as you remain in NHS employment.

Former NHS employees must complete a different form, known as the Deferred Benefits Claim Form (AW8P), to access their pension entitlements.

Is Notification to the CQC Required?

If the partnership formed for the purpose of the 24-hour retirement is temporary and the transition occurs over a weekend, notification to the CQC is generally not required. However, if the partnership is intended to be permanent or long-term, the new arrangement must be registered with the CQC prior to undertaking the retirement process.

For NHS contract holders who hold their NHS Contract in their sole name, they can alternatively use this an opportunity to protect the future goodwill value of the NHS Contract in the event of their death or being stuck off.  Instead of removing the temporary partner,  they can be left on the contract indefinitely as a silent partner under a Nominal Partnership  arrangement. Whilst this would mean that CQC notification would be required, thus extending the period before a retirement and partnership can take place by an 8-12 week period, the corresponding benefit would be that the NHS contract and Goodwill is protected in the event that the practitioner dies,  as the contract would  continue in the name of the survivor who could then be compelled to sell the contract to achieve its full goodwill value. If a sole contract holder dies without anyone else named on the contract, the NHS are likely to put the contract out to tender. For many,  retaining the partner as a “Nominal Partner” is a key option when looking to protect the future goodwill of their NHS contract however, it does also need to be accompanied by a properly drafted Partnership Agreement setting out that the person is indeed a partner in name only.

How Can Buxton Coates Solicitors Assist?

At Buxton Coates Solicitors, our team of expert dental solicitors has extensive experience navigating the legal and procedural requirements of the 24-hour retirement process and Nominal Partnerships. We offer comprehensive guidance to ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual obligations, helping you access your NHS pension with confidence.

For tailored support or to discuss your eligibility, please contact us at info@buxtoncoates.com or call 0330 088 2275.