The Armed Forces Pension Scheme Order 2005

B.4.    Joining the Scheme after service begins

(1) A person who is not an active member of the Scheme but is eligible to be one may opt to become such a member at any time before he attains pension age.

• Paragraph (1) is subject to paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) The option may only be exercised by the person giving notice in writing in such form as the Secretary of State requires.

(3) An option has no effect unless before that notice is given—

(a) the person exercising the option—

(i) makes a declaration about the state of his health in such form as the Secretary of State requires and,

(ii) if required, provides at his own expense such evidence relating to his health as the Secretary of State requests, and

(b) the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Scheme medical adviser, is satisfied that at the date on which the member makes the declaration the member is in good health.

(4) A person who has exercised the option under paragraph (1) may not exercise it again during the service by virtue of which he was eligible to exercise it.

(5) For the purposes of this rule, the option is treated as having been exercised on the date on which it is received by the Scheme administrator or, if it is sent to the commanding officer responsible for general day to day administration connected with the service of the person exercising the option, by or on behalf of that officer.