Pension schemes

This page provides guides to the Civil Pension pension Schemes.

Use it to:

  • understand which pension scheme applies to you
  • read about how each scheme works
  • find guides for both current and earlier schemes

Most members are now in the alpha scheme, but you may also have benefits in one or more earlier (legacy) schemes if you built up pension before moving to alpha.

Alpha scheme guide

The alpha scheme is the main Civil Service pension scheme.

From 1 April 2022, all active members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme are in alpha.

Any pension you built up in earlier schemes is preserved and paid separately.

View guide
alpha-scheme-logo

​​Partnership pension account

The partnership pension account is a defined contribution pension. This means contributions are paid into an individual pension pot, which is invested on your behalf.

Partnership is available as an alternative to alpha.

View guide

​​Concord Pension account

The Concord pension account applies to a small number of members with service covered by Concord arrangements.

This scheme will only be relevant if you were specifically told your service was pensionable under Concord.

View guide

​European Parliament (United Kingdom Representatives)

This scheme applies only to UK representatives of the European Parliament.

It will not be relevant to most members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Go to European Parliament

Legacy pension schemes

Legacy pension schemes apply to earlier periods of Civil Service employment.

You may have benefits in one or more of these schemes if you built up pension before moving to alpha.

These benefits are preserved and remain payable, even though the schemes are now closed to new members.

​​​​nuvos

The nuvos scheme applies to some members who joined the Civil Service between 2007 and 2015.

View guide

​​​premium

The premium scheme applies to members who joined the Civil Service between 2002 and 2007, and may apply to some members with earlier service if you opted to join the scheme.

View guide

​​​classic plus scheme guide

The classic plus scheme applies to members with service before 2002 that chose to switch to this scheme.

View guide

​​​classic scheme guide

The classic scheme applies to most members with service before 2002.

View guide

Not sure which scheme applies to you?

You may have:

  • benefits in more than one scheme, or
  • transitioned from a legacy scheme into alpha

Your Annual Benefit Statement, or the member portal, will show which schemes you have benefits in.

If you’re unsure, you can contact us and we can help explain how your pension is made up.