Joining the pension scheme

After your salary, your pension is one of your biggest benefits.

It provides you with financial security and options when you retire, as well as benefits for your family and loved ones.

When you join the Civil Service you get access to the alpha pension with generous employer contributions and some of the lowest member contributions in the public sector.

Benefits of the pension scheme

Benefits of the pension scheme

Along with your salary, your pension is one of the most important benefits of joining the Civil Service

alpha or partnership?

alpha or partnership?

An overview of the pensions schemes you can join to help you can choose the one best suited to you.

Transfer in an old pension

Transfer in an old pension

You may be able to transfer an old public or private sector pension into your new Civil Service pension.

alpha scheme guide

alpha scheme guide

This is your guide to the benefits you may be entitled to as a member of the alpha pension scheme.

Partnership pension account

Partnership pension account

The partnership pension account is a defined contribution scheme.

Opting out of the pension scheme

Opting out of the pension scheme

If you’re thinking of opting out of your Civil Service pension...

Your alpha pension

In alpha you'll build up an annual pension, get tax relief on the pension contributions you make and have the option of tax-free lump sum when you retire.

Your pension builds up quickly when you add your member contribution to your generous employers contribution. For example, if you earn between £23,101 and £45,500, you will contribute 5.45% of your salary and your employer will contribute 27.1%, meaning for every £1 you contribute, your employer will contribute almost £5.

You Are Not Alone 2

Members like me

See other pension scheme members who might be in a similar situation to you, from a new joiner, all the way to thinking about retirement. Read their stories to see what they, and you, should be looking at next...

See the members like you

New episodes of the Civil Service Pensions podcast every Thursday

The Civil Service Pensions Podcast will help you get to grips with your pension and make more informed choices about your financial future, whatever stage of life you're at.

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Help and information

Guide to registering for the Pension Portal

How much you will pay

Pension Power webinar - your pension explained