Understanding the Deferred Choice Underpin (DCU)
The Deferred Choice Underpin (DCU) gives eligible members a choice of which pension scheme benefits to take for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022).
You will make this choice shortly before you retire, when you have clearer information about your pay, service, and circumstances.
To remove the discrimination identified by the Courts, eligible members who moved to the alpha scheme between 2015 and 2022 have been placed back into the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) for that period. PCSPS includes the classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos sections.
You will choose whether to take:
or
for the remedy period.
Getting help with your retirement options
You need to decide which option is best for your personal circumstances.
Civil Service Pensions cannot provide financial advice.
If you need advice, you should contact an independent financial adviser.
How your pension benefits are paid
Your pension benefits will be paid based on the option you choose.
It is important to review the information provided and make a decision that is right for you.
Changing your remedy choice
Once you make your choice, it cannot be changed.
Make sure you consider all the information before returning your decision.
If you need help understanding your options, you should seek financial advice.
Deferring your alpha pension
If you receive PCSPS and alpha options and decide to claim only your PCSPS pension for now, you can defer your alpha pension until a later date.
Tell us in writing when you return your claim form if you want to do this.
Understanding differences in pensionable pay
Your pensionable pay may look the same across quotes even where your PCSPS remedy period differs.
This is because classic, classic plus and premium are final salary sections.
Your pension is calculated using your pay at (or near) retirement, not the pay earned at the time of the remedy period.
Considering more than the annual pension amount
The annual pension figure is only one part of the decision.
You should also consider:
Lump sum options
Death benefits
the different ways your benefits may increase over time
If you are not sure which option is right for you, you should speak to an independent financial adviser.
If you transferred benefits under Club arrangements
If you previously transferred benefits from another public service pension scheme into the Civil Service Pension Scheme through the Public Sector Transfer Club, the transfer value may need to be recalculated.
Because your transfer‑in happened during the remedy period:
To avoid delaying your pension, we will calculate your retirement quote using only your legacy scheme benefits.
Your transfer‑in benefits will be calculated separately once the revised figures arrive.
You will then receive an Immediate Choice Remediable Service Statement (RSS) with updated information so you can make your remedy choice.
Your choice will be applied retrospectively, and any money owed to you will be paid.
Partial retirement for members affected by the 2015 Remedy
You can take partial retirement if you reduce your hours or salary and take some or all of your pension while continuing to work.
Read the partial retirement guide
