​Changes to the Minimum Pension Age

​From 6 April 2028, Minimum Pension Age (MPA) - the earliest age at which most people can access their pension benefits - will increase from 55 to 57. This change was introduced under the Finance Act 2022, and applies to all schemes.

​Who's affected by this change?

This change will not impact:
- any final salary service; or
- career average service of members who joined before the 4 November 2021. 

When did you join the scheme...

Before 6 April 2006 - The Minimum Pension Age for the following schemes is 50.

- classic
- classic plus
- premium
- Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (CSAVCS)

Minimum pension age: 50 

​April 2006 - 3 November 2021 - The Minimum Pension Age for the following schemes is 55.

​- premium
- nuvos
- alpha
- CSAVC
- partnership*

* Before 2018, partnership was an arrangement where employers paid into a group Stakeholder Pension arrangement. It changed to a Master Trust in 2018, which qualifies for 2021 protection.

If you left your partnership pension in a stakeholder scheme in 2018, you should check with your provider whether it's protected.

If you transferred to a it to a Master Trust, your pension will remain protected, including any future contributions.

4 November 2021 onwards - The Minimum Pension Age for the following schemes is currently 55, increasing to 57 from 6 April 2028 (standard normal minimum pension age set by HMRC).  

- alpha**
- CSAVC
- partnership

** Members affected by the 2015 Remedy (McCloud) have a protected minimum pension age of 55 in alpha, even if they only joined from 1 April 2022.


Transferring In and Protection

Please be aware that transferring pensions between schemes can affect your protected pension age. 

Transfer into alpha

- If you already have a protected minimum pension age in alpha and transfer another pension in, both your existing alpha pension and the transferred-in benefits will have a protected minimum pension age.

- However, if you do not have a protected minimum pension age in alpha and you transfer in a pension that does, you will lose the protection. This means you will only be able to access those benefits from the new standard minimum pension age (57 from 6 April 2028). 

Transfers into partnership or the CSAVCS 

- If you already have a protected minimum pension age and transfer a pension into partnership or the CSAVCS, your protection will remain.

- If you do not have a protected minimum pension age but transfer in a pension that does, the transferred-in pension will be ring-fenced and keep the lower protected pension age.

​

What is Minimum Pension Age (MPA)? 

​This is usually the earliest age you can claim your pension benefits.

Planning for retirement

Is Minimum Pension Age different to Normal Pension Age (NPA)?

Yes. Normal Pension Age is usually the earliest age at which you can take your pension benefits without reduction for early payment. NPA is different for each scheme, so please refer to the scheme guides on the Civil Service Pensions website for more information.