TG1 Retention again

[tonyraf]

It may mean a lot to some, but I'm happy where I'm at as I still have over 5.5 years to go. I'll take it and then crack on to my pension point.

I'm half way up the Sgt pay scale, I've completed the free foundation degree scheme offered by EPAT and I've applied for the top up to Bachelors. I'm just fluffing my nest to the point I can leave at my first available pension point, so if the RAF want to give me an extra £30k then they can crack on.

Are you under a current RTOS as a result of the foundation degree that you did? I am just wondering whether those under a current RTOS commitment will fall outside the boundaries of those eligible for the FRI?

 

[tonyraf]

They promised an answer by the end of the month, so only a few days to go.

Latest rumour (Who doesn't love a good rumour) I've heard is from a mate of a mate, who met an SP in a bar who works at the EPAT team.

£30k taxed which is split into 2 payments, announced this month and can apply via HR from announcement and 1st payment is from this Aprils pay packet.

2nd Payment is a year later, 3 years RTS and the real nugget was that you sign that you can't PVR in that 3 year period. So no PVRing at the 2 year point and leave 1 day after the 3 years RTS is up. So you'll have to PVR after your 3 year RTS is up.

So essentially they have you for 4 years. Or you have to pay it back.

If this is the case then for some, quids in. However, take for example a Sgt/CT (with 2/3 kids) on the cusp of the 40% tax bracket, they will lose 45% through contributions and lose child benefit (which for three kids would be 2900 a year). 30k for 4 years therefore will end up being circa £2500 per year... not so attractive for that cohort.

 

[walkingmadman]

If this is the case then for some, quids in. However, take for example a Sgt/CT (with 2/3 kids) on the cusp of the 40% tax bracket, they will lose 45% through contributions and lose child benefit (which for three kids would be 2900 a year). 30k for 4 years therefore will end up being circa £2500 per year... not so attractive for that cohort.

Spot on Tonyraf, the only way to make it fully appealing is tax free! But that will never happen and the RAF will continue to have a larger outflow than they can recruit for.

 

[Gilbert]

Are you under a current RTOS as a result of the foundation degree that you did? I am just wondering whether those under a current RTOS commitment will fall outside the boundaries of those eligible for the FRI?

Already done it and served my RoS, I was lucky enough to be under one of the first users of the scheme. Smashed out my Foundation Degree and had the max allowed completed through Recognition of Prior Learning. I finished my RoS last year.

But you're right, previous FRIs or anything to recieve an RoS did have a caveat if you already had an RoS on JPA.

But JPA does allow you to list 3 different types of RoS.

 

[baconandeggs]

When's the betting this comes out, either rejected or accepted? End of Feb, end of Mar?

 

[Spearmint]

When's the betting this comes out, either rejected or accepted? End of Feb, end of Mar?

Probably waiting for a few more to sign off on JPA to balance the books before the end FY 23/24 before they know how much they have left in the pot.

3 buttons, a penny, a 10yr old 2nd Class Stamp and a key fob for a car long since been sold on.

 

[unruly1986]

When's the betting this comes out, either rejected or accepted? End of Feb, end of Mar?

Would be a lot of work/fluff for it to be rejected now.

 

[unruly1986]

TG4 Sgt, 2 children, £30 odd a day LOA.

House back in the UK rented out, therefore nil cost. Just salary, child benefit and LOA. Husband doesn't work. Take home, post tax, £3300 a month. That's enough..

That’s great if your OH doesn’t work. My wife has a career of her own; we would love to do the States/mainland Europe, but the financials (we have a mortgage) and her career setback (3 years out) simply wouldn’t make it worthwhile. Plus I have less than two years until EDP so it’s too late for us anyway - my current niche role is prime for getting out so I’d be jeopardising my next career by going back to the ‘real’ RAF.

It‘s no surprise that many SNCO overseas jobs go to those straight off the board.

 

[Barch]

Would be a lot of work/fluff for it to be rejected now.

Isn't that the norm.

 

[baconandeggs]

Would be a lot of work/fluff for it to be rejected now.

Work for who?

 

[StevenJ3003]

I’ve heard a rumour that up to 13 CPLs at Conningsby PVR’d yesterday on the back of the latest delay to the FRI- can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[SausageFingers]

I’ve heard a rumour that up to 13 CPLs at Conningsby PVR’d yesterday on the back of the latest delay to the FRI- can anyone shed any light on this?

The EPAT teams site has all the info. Essentially, the RAF and MOD right up to the SoS for Def have approved and backed it.

The delay is with the time it is taking the Treasury to approve it. The EPAT team have said that the 1st of April for approval is now not going to happen and they are not going to predict any more dates, other that to say 'it will be enacted as soon as it is possible'.

They are doing everything they can by the looks of it, and took the gamble to keep us informed, but powers beyond their control in Gov't is the cause of they delay.

 

[StevenJ3003]

The EPAT teams site has all the info. Essentially, the RAF and MOD right up to the SoS for Def have approved and backed it.

The delay is with the time it is taking the Treasury to approve it. The EPAT team have said that the 1st of April for approval is now not going to happen and they are not going to predict any more dates, other that to say 'it will be enacted as soon as it is possible'.

They are doing everything they can by the looks of it, and took the gamble to keep us informed, but powers beyond their control in Gov't is the cause of they delay.

Thanks mate, I’ve read the information regarding why the delay has happened. It’s the apparent spike in PVRs I was more interested in and how true it may be.

 

[Flumpdaddy]

EPAT and SLT are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they had stayed quite the rumor mills would have kept going and PVRs would go in because of the apparent lack of action. By admitting its all ground to a halt because of the treasury and there's no forecast for when the FRI might appear PVRs spike as people get sick of waiting. After the spike it might settle down again for a few months whilst people wait a bit longer

If there is a spike in PVRs it might be the rocket up the arse the treasury needs to realise the FRI is really needed and now.

 

[ady eflog]

I’ve heard a rumour that up to 13 CPLs at Conningsby PVR’d yesterday on the back of the latest delay to the FRI- can anyone shed any light on this?

That's a couple of Sqn's worth of Cpls lol, in all honesty people have had enough of waiting, they have had 6 months gratis following the pied piper.

 

[StickyFingers]

PVR. Then take it out if the FRI is confimed and offered. Start resettlement, get some courses in and then do it again in 3 years time.

 

[4everAD]

PVR. Then take it out if the FRI is confimed and offered. Start resettlement, get some courses in and then do it again in 3 years time.

Doesn't every FRI state its not payable to those who have ET'd? Its their way of staving off ETs, probably why they slipped the info out before Treasury buy-in, call me an old cynic.

 

[Gilbert]

The EPAT Teams page is a brilliant read when it comes to people talking/moaning/being a mouthy cpl (My personal fave) about the FRI, it's like E-Goat but with less retired old people who haven't seen the Air Force in years.

 

[Talk Wrench]

The EPAT Teams page is a brilliant read when it comes to people talking/moaning/being a mouthy cpl (My personal fave) about the FRI, it's like E-Goat but with less retired old people who haven't seen the Air Force in years.

E-Goat is 19 years old this year so it's probably got more time in than most on the EPAT team.

 

[Typhoon-Techie]

The EPAT thread is quite funny, been quite a popular read in the office. Alot of personnel are threaded by the delay and perhaps feel like they have been misled by it (i.e. string people along).

People will leave, once again see large promotion numbers (150+) for AS1 and Cpl, people will be promoted who shouldn't (more time in rank needed to be actually fully competitive and ready), therefore making mine and everyone else's life harder...

Perhaps it's my time to go also...