Rotormonkey,
Have a look at the option of investing your military pension that you accrue after the 12 year point.
No, you won't have an immediate income.....
But you might be very very surprised as to what a properly managed pension fund can give you back.....
It might even leave you better off....
I had an interesting discussion with forcespensiontransfer.
Things like your death benefits for spouse and kids are rubbish with the mil. In transferred schemes, they get ALL of the pension pot.
You will need to look long and hard at the risk you wish to take versus growth......
Ralph