This has been covered at length on this forum:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...pension-q.html
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...opted-out.html
Originally Posted by
Globe Trotter
Smoke and mirrors ......... basically your COPE amount is already being paid within your Armed Forces Pension and is subtracted from your State Pension entitlement
Not quite - your state pension is reduced by a much smaller amount than your COPE amount. Work out the difference between full state pension and your forecast, and then check the COPE amount on the next page.
Originally Posted by
PDR1
Could it possibly be that this was explained, but at that age you weren't really paying much attention to what some old duffer was saying about pensions (not a subject that was high on your personal priority list at the time)?PDR
I'm pretty sure you are right. I do remember being told about contracting out, I think it was even mentioned on our pay statements, but I didn't really have much of a clue - or much interest. I do recall us being told it was a good thing. It may not however have been made apparent to subsequent joiners.
Overall, as said, you are likely to be better off due to contracting out.