29 April 2024: UPDATE
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The European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme, also known as the MEP UK pension scheme, was established in 1979 to provide pensions for UK members for the European parliament. The scheme closed to new members in 2009.
Statutory responsibility for the scheme passed to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. IPSA’s role is to review and amend the pension scheme rules where appropriate, and to appoint scheme managers.
The Cabinet Office provides administrative services to the scheme through MyCSP, who also administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The pensioner payroll is provided by XPS Administration.
If you would like to know when you can take your pension benefits and how long the process will take, please read the Deferred members section.
If you are already taking your pension, please read the Pensioner members section.
Information about you Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (AVC)
The normal retirement age for the scheme is 65.
You may claim your pension anytime from age 55 (age 50 in some cases) but your pension will be subject to an actuarial reduction if taken before age 65.
Please contact MyCSP confirming when you would like to take your pension and they will arrange to send you a pension illustration. Instructions on how to claim your pension will be included with your pension illustration.
The process for authorising and starting pension payments normally takes around two months. It may take longer if MyCSP needs further information from you - for example, details of retained benefits (see below).
These are benefits you may have in other pension arrangements. Your MEP benefits may be restricted if you have retained benefits.
When MyCSP receives your pension claim forms, they will pass your details to XPS Pension Services (XPS), who will then pay your pension.
We ask that a family member, personal representative or your solicitor advise MyCSP as soon as practicable. MyCSP will then confirm what documentation is needed to register your death and confirm what benefits are payable.
Your widow, widower or nominated partner and/or eligible child/children may be entitled to a pension.
Your benefits can generally be transferred to another defined benefit scheme, subject to certain conditions.
We are unable to transfer your pension to a defined contribution scheme, which allows access to flexible benefits.
You can apply to transfer to another scheme within 6 months of leaving the scheme, or before your 64th birthday, whichever is later.
Because several parties are involved in this process, it may take several weeks or months to complete. Transfer quotes are only valid for 3 months, so it is important that you complete the necessary forms in good time.
You can cancel the transfer at any time before you complete the formal application for the transfer payment. Once that has happened and a payment has been sent to the other scheme, the process is complete and you will no longer be able to change your mind.
Fraudsters may approach you with attractive offers available if you transfer your funds. Anyone can become a victim of these scams - they may seem legitimate. Read the Pensions Regulator guidance on how to spot/avoid scams.
Please contact MyCSP who will be able to provide the information required.
Please contact MyCSP as soon as possible if the following details have changed; your address, marital/civil partnership status, gender reassignment.
This will help us to keep you informed and make sure any illustrations we provide are correct.
You should contact MyCSP if you have any concerns about your pension or the administration service. They will aim to resolve matters and give you a substantive response within 20 days.
You can also use the statutory internal dispute resolution procedures (IDR).This is a formal two-stage process - MyCSP will investigate your complaint and give you a first stage decision. If you disagree with their decision, you can ask the Cabinet Office to review your case and make a second stage decision. If you still dispute the position after that, you can ask the Pensions Ombudsman to consider your appeal. Find out more about the IDR process.
Please contact XPS Administration as soon as possible if the following details have changed; your address, marital/civil partnership status, gender reassignment.
Your widow, widower, civil partner or nominated partner and/or eligible child/children may be entitled to a pension.
To find out what benefits may be due, and how to claim them, we ask that a family member, personal representative or your solicitor advise XPS as soon as practicable. XPS will arrange for MyCSP to send details of what benefits are payable together with the appropriate claim form(s). On return of the completed claim form(s) and other relevant documents, MyCSP will pass them to XPS and ask them to start paying benefits.
XPS Administration will provide you with a monthly payslip and a P60 following the end of the financial year.
The P60 will generally be issued no later than 31st May following the end of the tax year however if you have not received your P60 please contact XPS Administration.
Please contact XPS who will ask MyCSP to provide the information you need.
Please contact XPS Administration in respect of how your pension can be paid.
Please contact XPS Administration who will be able to take your instructions.
If you have an AVC fund, you can claim it at the same time as your pension. You do not have to claim it then, but you must claim it before your 75th birthday. MyCSP will ask the AVC provider for annuity quotes and forward them to you with the relevant claim forms. They will then send the forms back to the provider to set up the annuity for you.
A lump sum (that includes a refund of contributions) may be paid to one or more of the following:
The scheme managers have absolute discretion to decide who shall receive a lump sum, and how much it will be.
To contact IPSA, visit their website
See the Contact us page.
Alternatively you can email SpecialitySchemes@mycsp.co.uk and provide some personal information including your National Insurance number and/or member number, along with other details you may be asked to confirm.
When contacting MyCSP please confirm that you are a member of the European Parliament Pension Scheme (or MEP UK Scheme)
Please email scheme.managementexecutive@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
When contacting the Cabinet Office, please confirm that you are a member of the European Parliament Pension Scheme (or MEP UK Scheme).
For questions relating to pensions in payment inc. changes of bank details, issue of P60s etc.
Telephone: 0118 313 0910
Email: mojadmin@xpsgroup.com
Post: XPS Administration Ltd, Building Two, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2BF
Please note: when you are put through to a staff member, confirm you are a member of the UK MEP pension scheme.
There are between three and six members who are appointed by IPSA to act as scheme managers in connection with the administration of the scheme. Scheme managers provide support on a voluntary basis and the role is not remunerated.
The Scheme Managers meet IPSA every six months and receive reports on scheme administration.
Please email your comments to the Cabinet Office at scheme.managementexecutive@cabinetoffice.gov.uk who will put you in touch with them.