We are now well into the second half of 2026 – time to provide an update on the six key challenges I identified as the Society’s priority efforts for the year. Some progress, some regress and some have taken on a higher profile than others.
CHALLENGE 1: Clarity on the AFPS 15 Remedy RSS delivery plan
STATUS: Slow Progress
Our top priority of achieving clarity on the AFPS 15 Remedy RSS delivery plan and progressing towards a sustainable “steady state” of implementation remains hard yards.
The MoD has promised to publish their delivery plan update during August – our expectation is the delivery timeline for these so-called “complex cases” will stretch well into late 2027.
We continue to support members with their individual decision-making as Election RSSs are received – the tempo of which has picked up in recent months. We will keep you informed through our Remedy Situation Reports and other communications. Frustrating but also important Veterans UK get them right first time.
CHALLENGE 2: Publicising the Early Leavers pension rectification exercise
STATUS: No progress
Since April 2006, service personnel leaving with at least three months’, but less than two years’ qualifying service have been entitled to either a refund of any employee pension contributions (eg; AVCs/Added Pension) if made, or a transfer value paid into another registered pension scheme. This requirement had not been met since the legislation came into force.
Those leaving now are being informed of their entitlements and told how to apply.
However the rectification exercise covering some 40,000 ‘early leavers’ has not started and is where we need to see movement. This remains work-in-progress in the MoD; we will provide further updates once an implementation plan has been developed.
CHALLENGE 3: Preventing a return of pre-Budget pension tax speculation
STATUS: Cautious Optimism
While we welcomed the fact that the 2025 Budget did not reduce the level of the tax-free Lump Sum Allowance, we remain concerned that — absent a clear statement from Government — the risk of renewed pre-Budget speculation persists.
The Government has confirmed the Chancellor’s Autum Budget statement will be on 28 Oct. With some tough tax and spend choices ahead, the rumour mill could crank up again. However, across dozens of engagements with MPs so far this year our message has landed with the risk to individual commitment becoming better understood. By no means off the agenda but cautiously optimistic the impacts of such a decision are better understood.
CHALLENGE 4: Reducing the unacceptably high number of unclaimed Armed Forces pensions
STATUS: Disappointing Regression
Around 2,000 deferred Armed Forces pensions go unclaimed each year, with potentially significant sums involved.
Recent efforts had resulted in a modest reduction, from over 17,000 unclaimed pensions in 2023 to around 15,000 in 2025. Unfortunately, 2026’s figures, published in July has seen a return to the historic figure of over 17,000. Our work to raise awareness and unite entitled veterans with their deferred pensions — payable from age 60, 65, or State Pension Age depending on scheme and circumstances — continues. This unacceptable situation will be the focus of a Parliamentary event the Society is hosting on 8 September to raise awareness and to stimulate greater engagement by the MoD to proactively trace entitled veterans.
CHALLENGE 5: Preparing for a pre-2015 Reserve Service Remedy (the Milroy case)
STATUS: Decision Point approaching
On 29 Jan, the Milroy Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) refused the MOD’s appeal against the original Employment Tribunal’s decision on all 4 grounds, finding that the claimant was a part time worker who had been treated less favourably than his regular counterparts in pension and pay terms. The MoD’s appeal will be heard by the Court of Session on 8 October, after which the next steps should become clearer.
You can still read the latest information including links to guidance we have provided on the Milroy Employment Tribunal section of our website.
Please continue to monitor this section as we are not able to answer individual enquiries until the MoD publishes a detailed remedy plan.
CHALLENGE 6: Fair treatment for members facing pension overpayment recovery
STATUS: Today’s Hottest Topic
We are aware of several hundred veterans who have received a letter from Equiniti titled “Overpayment of Armed Forces Pension.” The letter gives instructions on how repayment can be made and how to contact Equiniti. There are several reasons why such overpayments have occurred which we have reported on previously.
We have received legal advice which we have made available to our members to support their decision making process including Internal Dispute Resolution Process (IDRP) submissions to Veterans UK. We are actively campaigning on the subject, insisting that while we recognise the principle of recovering public monies that have been overpaid, we also think it wrong that the scheme administrator who has made the error should attempt to recover the money from members who have acted in good faith.
Our position is that the requirement to refund the public purse should lie with the pension scheme administrator (Defence Business Services Veterans UK) and the contractors they employ, Sopra Steria and Equiniti.
You can read our latest updates including media engagement here.
Neil Marshall
CEO Forces Pension Society
AUGUST 2026
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