Hueymeister
I had exactly the same query and indeed delayed PVRing until I had it in writing. The SPVA said:
"I can confirm that all Service Personnel's pensionable benefits are calculated by taking the reckonable service from enlistment date to the date of discharge. Therefore your pensiable benefits would be calculated on the basis of your provisional discharge date mentioned in your letter of XX XXX XX which does fall after your 5 year PAS point"
As long as your exit date falls after your 5 year PAS point then you will receive the full PAS pension.
Wyler - I've had quite a few mates aged 40+ PVR over the last 5 of so years and I can count on the fingers of one foot those who have not managed to secure decent employment in the sector of their choosing. Not being blindly optimistic just calling it as I see it. Plenty of people change jobs in their forties.