Important information

The Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) is the earliest age you can usually take money from a private or workplace pension.

It is currently 55. From 6 April 2028, it will increase to 57 for most people.

The NMPA is not the same as:

• your Normal Pension Age, which is the age your scheme normally expects you to take your pension; or
• your State Pension age, which is the age you may be able to claim your State Pension.

There are some exceptions. For example, you may be able to take your pension earlier if you qualify for ill-health retirement or have a Protected Pension Age.

The exact rules will depend on your pension benefits and your scheme rules.

The government is increasing the NMPA as people are generally living longer and may spend more time in retirement.

Taking your pension earlier usually means that it will need to support you for longer. Depending on the type of pension you have, taking it early may also reduce the amount you receive.

We’re explaining the change now to give you time to understand how it could affect your retirement plans.

It will depend on:

• your date of birth;
• whether you take your pension before 6 April 2028; and
• whether an exception applies.

If you were born on or after 6 April 1973

You will usually need to wait until you are 57 before taking your pension.

You may be able to take it earlier if you have a Protected Pension Age or qualify for ill-health retirement.

If you were born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973

You will turn 55 before the change takes effect.

If your scheme allows it, you may be able to take your pension from age 55 before 6 April 2028.

If you have not taken the relevant benefits by 6 April 2028 and are still under 57, you will usually need to wait until you turn 57. An exception may apply if you have a Protected Pension Age or qualify for ill-health retirement.

If you were born on or before 5 April 1971

You will be at least 57 when the change takes effect. This means the increase will not restrict the age from which you can take your pension.

If your pension is already in payment

The change will not affect pension benefits that are already in payment before 6 April 2028.

A Protected Pension Age (PPA) is a right that may allow you to take particular pension benefits before the Normal Minimum Pension Age.

A PPA may not apply to all your pensions or to all the benefits you hold with TPT. Whether you have one will depend on factors such as:

• the scheme you joined;
• when you joined it;
• the rights available under the scheme rules; and
• whether anything has happened that could affect the protection, such as a transfer

We can check the records for your TPT membership and tell you whether a PPA applies to your benefits.

Some pension benefits may have a Protected Pension Age of either 50 or 55.

Protected Pension Age 50

Some members may have a right to take particular pension benefits from age 50.

This protection generally relates to pension rights that existed before 6 April 2006. Detailed conditions apply, so please contact us to check whether it applies to your benefits.

Protected Pension Age 55

Some members may have a right to take particular pension benefits from age 55 after the NMPA increases to 57.

Whether this protection applies will depend on the relevant scheme rules and when you joined the scheme, and whether the statutory conditions are met.

Joining a pension scheme before a particular date does not, on its own, confirm that you have a PPA. Please contact us if you would like us to check your TPT benefits.

Contact us and ask us to check whether a Protected Pension Age applies to your TPT benefits.

Please have your membership or reference number available if you can. We will check the relevant benefits and scheme rules and explain the position to you.

In some circumstances, a Protected Pension Age can be lost or affected. This may happen following certain transfers or changes to the way you take your benefits.

Losing the protection could affect when you can take your pension and may have tax consequences.

Please contact us before making a transfer or another decision that could affect your protection.

You may be able to take your pension before the Normal Minimum Pension Age if you meet the requirements for ill-health retirement.

The requirements depend on your scheme rules. Medical evidence will normally be needed, and taking your pension early on ill-health grounds is subject to approval.

Please contact us if you need information about the ill-health retirement rules that apply to your membership.

Your Normal Pension Age is the age your scheme normally expects you to take your pension.

It is set by your scheme rules and may be different for different parts of your membership.

Your Normal Pension Age is not the same as:

• the Normal Minimum Pension Age, which is the earliest age you can usually take your pension; or
• your State Pension age, which is the age you may be able to claim your State Pension.
  
  

You may be able to take your pension after reaching the minimum age allowed under your scheme rules but before your Normal Pension Age.
If you do, the amount you receive will usually be lower. This is generally because your pension is expected to be paid for longer.

The effect will depend on the type of pension benefits you have and your scheme rules.

Taking your pension is an important decision. You may wish to get free, impartial guidance from MoneyHelper or speak to a regulated financial adviser before deciding what to do.

If you do not have a Protected Pension Age and have not taken the relevant benefits before 6 April 2028, you will usually need to wait until you are 57.
This may also affect benefits that are not yet in payment if you are taking your pension through a flexible or phased retirement arrangement.

Please contact us if you think this may apply to you.

You do not need to take any action just because the NMPA is changing.
However, it is worth reviewing your plans if you are thinking about taking your pension between the ages of 55 and 57.

Please contact us if:

• you are unsure whether the change affects you;
• you want us to check whether you have a Protected Pension Age;
• you are considering taking your pension before 6 April 2028; or
• you need information about ill-health retirement.

This information is intended to help you understand the change to the Normal Minimum Pension Age. It is not financial advice and is not intended to encourage you to take your pension early.

The options available to you will depend on your pension benefits and the rules of your scheme.