Employer Knowledge Article

The Civil Service Pension (CSP) arrangements are made up of a number of different schemes, including some where the member contributes to their own investment fund.

The CSP arrangements

alpha

• A Defined Benefit scheme (Career Average - CARE)

• Pension builds up at 2.32% of actual pensionable earnings each scheme year

• Introduced 1 April 2015

• Most new entrants after that date will join this scheme

nuvos

• A Defined Benefit scheme (Career Average - CARE)

• Pension builds up at 2.3% of pensionable earnings each scheme year

• Introduced 30 July 2007

• Closed to new entrants from 31 March 2015 except those with a recent public sector pension, see Section 4 - Your responsibilities when staff join for more details

premium

• A Defined Benefit pension scheme based on final salary

• Introduced 1 October 2002

• Now closed to new entrants

classic plus

• A Defined Benefit pension scheme based on final salary

• It was available from 1 October 2002 for staff in post on 30 September 2002

• Now closed to new entrants

classic

• A Defined Benefit scheme based on final salary

• Open to Civil Servants from 1972 – 2002

• The name classic came into effect 1 October 2002

• Now closed to new entrants

partnership

• A Defined Contribution (‘money purchase’) pension

The Civil Service Supplementary (Earnings Cap) Scheme

• This provides benefits on pensionable earnings above the earnings cap

• Closed to new members from 6 April 2006

Designated stakeholder pension scheme

• A Defined Contribution (money purchase) arrangement, offered as a way for staff to boost their retirement income, regardless of whether they already belong to one of the Defined Benefit schemes or partnership

• Closed to new entrants from 1 June 2018 and to existing members from 1 September 2018

• Section 3.3 - Other Schemes gives more information

Other schemes managed by the Scheme Manager (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contributions Scheme (CSAVCS)

• A money purchase arrangement for Civil Service pension scheme members to provide an additional pension, where contributions are paid to one of a panel of approved pension providers for investment in a fund or selection of funds

• Available to classic, classic plus, premium, nuvos and alpha members

• Closed to new entrants from 1 September 2018

• Section 3.3 - Other Schemes gives further details

Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) Scheme

• A money purchase arrangement for Civil Service pension scheme members to provide an additional pension, where contributions are paid to an approved pension provider for investment in a fund or selection of funds

• A money purchase arrangement for Civil Service pension scheme members to provide an additional pension, where contributions are paid to an approved pension provider for investment in a fund or selection of funds

• Section 3.3 - Other Schemes gives further details

The Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS)

• The scheme providing compensation benefits for civil servants who leave employment because of voluntary exit, voluntary redundancy or compulsory redundancy

• The scheme also provides compensation for dismissal on the grounds of efficiency, where compensation can be paid at an employer’s discretion

• Section 3.3 - Other Schemes and 6.3 - Early departure and ill health give further details

The Civil Service Injury Benefit Scheme (CSIBS)

• The scheme providing Injury Benefit for a qualifying injury during the course of official duties which then impairs earning capacity

• Section 5 - Your responsibilities when staff are in service gives further details

The Partnership Pension Account Ill-Health Benefits Arrangements

• Provides a lump sum to those who retire for ill health reasons and hold a partnership pension account

The Partnership Death Benefit Arrangements

• Provides a lump sum death benefit to the dependants of those who have died in service with a partnership pension account