An overview of the pensions schemes you can join to help you can choose the one best suited to you.
When you start a career in the Civil Service, you have the option of joining either the alpha or partnership pension scheme. More information about partnership can also be found on the provider’s website.
You can register your choice by filling in the Pension Choices form enclosed in your New Starter Pack and send it to the return address shown on the form.
Legal and General website Read the Pension Choices guidealpha - Defined benefit scheme. It offers a pension income based on your earnings over your career and your years of membership in the scheme. Find out more about alpha.
Partnership - Defined contribution scheme. A type of pension where benefits are dependent on contributions and the growth of the pension fund. Find out more about partnership.
alpha - You will contribute a percentage of your pensionable earnings. The percentage you contribute will depend on how much you earn. See current contribution rates.
Partnership - You do not have to pay anything. You can pay as much as you like up to 100% of your pensionable earnings. Your employer will match your contributions, up to 3%.
alpha - Your employer will contribute a percentage of your pensionable earnings. See contribution rates.
Partnership - Your employer will contribute a percentage of your pensionable earnings. See the partnership scheme page.
alpha - You get tax relief on contributions, subject to HM Revenue & Customs rules.
Partnership - You get tax relief on contributions, subject to HM Revenue & Customs rules.
alpha - You build up alpha pension at a rate of 2.32% of your pensionable pay each year.
Partnership - Contributions are invested in a fund of your choice by your partnership pension provider
alpha - In alpha, you have a Normal Pension Age (NPA), which is the same as your State Pension age or age 65 if later. You can take your pension before your NPA, although your benefits will be reduced to take account of early payment. The minimum pension age in alpha is age 55.
Partnership - You can take your pension from age 55. You don’t have to retire to take your pension.
alpha - This will be made up of the 2.32% of your pensionable earnings each year, adjusted in line with prices.
Partnership - Contributions are invested to build up a pension pot.
alpha - You can choose to exchange 25% of the total value of your pension benefits for a tax-free lump sum, subject to limits set by HM Revenue & Customs.
Partnership - You can choose to exchange some, or all of your pension pot for a lump sum, subject to limits set by HM Revenue & Customs
alpha - You can apply for ill-health retirement. If the Scheme Medical Adviser confirms your health will permanently prevent you from being able to do your current job, you can have your alpha pension paid early. Your pension can be increased if you are unlikely to be able to return to any sort of employment.
Partnership - You can apply for an ill-health payment. If the Scheme Medical Adviser confirms your health will permanently prevent you from being able to do your current job, you could receive a lump sum when you leave. This is separate from the partnership pension account. You may also be able to access your pension pot before age 55 if you become seriously ill or incapacitated and are unable to carry out your normal occupation.
alpha - If you die with at least one year of service, alpha will provide a pension for either: your spouse, civil partner, or partner, plus any dependent children you may have. If you die in service, alpha also provides a lump sum that can be paid to people or an organisation that you nominate.
Partnership - If you die before taking your benefits, your beneficiaries will receive the benefits you have built up in partnership. You will be asked to nominate who you wish to receive this. The provider will choose how these benefits are paid depending on the circumstances of your dependants. The provider will take your nomination into consideration when doing this. If you die in service a lump sum can be paid to people or organisations that you nominate. This is separate from the partnership pension account. On retirement, you can choose whether or not to provide a pension for your dependants as well as for yourself.