NHS Pension: The Waiting Game We Didn’t Know We Signed Up For"**

Who knew that signing up for an NHS pension came with a free subscription to *Patience: Level Expert*. Yep, with the pension age linked to the state pension age, it’s basically a long-term commitment—long enough for me to forget my Netflix password twice over.

But let’s talk perks. The NHS pension is inflation-linked, which means my future self can buy an overpriced latte in 2045 without flinching. Plus,an element life insurance is built in—ideal if your bucket list includes things like skydiving or trying to out-dance your nieces at a wedding.And spouse gets 33% pension should the worst happen.

And let’s not forget the tax benefits! Oh, the sweet, sweet allure of saving money. Except, of course, if I save *too much money*—then it’s taxable. Because apparently, success comes with a price tag, and it’s written in HMRC's finest print.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting: **employer contributions!** NHS pensions come with this delightful perk, where your employer chips in, making the pot bigger without you lifting a finger. Skipping out on the NHS pension would mean forfeiting employer contributions, which is the financial equivalent of leaving free cake on the table—and I love cake too much to even consider it.

Enter the private pension—a temptress luring me with dreams of early withdrawal, 11 years before the NHS pension even *knocks on the door.* Forget “age 68.” Private pensions mean I can channel my inner wanderlust at 57, sipping coconut water on an exotic beach while ticking off bucket list goals faster than a Black Friday shopper. Dream vacation? Check. Hiking up Machu Picchu? Check. Eating street food with zero regrets? Double check. But is that assured as private pension is linked to market performance?

But alas, the NHS pension whispers: "Security. Stability. Latte money." And I reluctantly agree. So here I am, pledging allegiance to a pension that asks me to wait longer than it takes to watch all the Studio Ghibli movies *twice.*

Ultimately, I choose the NHS pension because, while private pensions offer adventure and spontaneity, the NHS one provides peace of mind—or at least enough peace of mind to justify waiting until the pension age. After all, who doesn’t love a good slow burn?