Welcome to the Civil Service Pension scheme
Welcome to alpha
Congratulations on becoming a member of the alpha pension scheme!
There has never a better time to save for your future. The tools and support on this website will help you plan for the type of retirement you want, when the time is right for you.
Your first steps as a member of alpha
Here are some first steps you can take now you're a member.
Get 24/7 access to your pension benefits.
Take control of your pension from any device, any time, anywhere via the Pension Portal. Get access to important pension documents, plan out your future with modelling tools and more.
Attend a free 1 hour seminar all about your pension.
As a member of alpha, you get free access to our bespoke Pension Power sessions. Fully remote, delivered in just an hour, this is your chance to learn more about the benefits that make your Civil Service pension one of the best of it's kind.
Pass on your pension benefits to loved ones.
In the event of your death, we may pay a death benefit lump sum on your behalf to a family member, friend, charity or other organisation. You can nominate yours via the pension portal.
Dive into the alpha scheme guide for a closer look at the scheme.
The alpha scheme guide contains all the technical detail about the scheme.
Moved to alpha on 1 April 2022?
In 2015 the government introduced reforms to public service pensions, moving most members to a scheme called alpha, but not those who were closer to retirement. The Court of Appeal then found this approach to be discriminatory and 'the remedy' was introduced to remove the age discrimination. As part of the Remedy, all civil service pensions members moved into alpha from 1 April 2022.
Live@Lunch
Hosted by pensions experts, Live@Lunch sessions offer an opportunity for you to ask our experts any burning questions you may have. You can also watch previous member webinars.
Your pension: Passport to your passions
The Civil Service pension scheme is the leading public sector pension scheme in the UK. It comes with numerous benefits and options to help you plan for the lifestyle you want after you retire.
Put your future in safe hands
Even if you're only in the Civil Service for a few years, the fast accrual rate means it builds up quickly, providing you with a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty.
It's never too early to start thinking about your pension and planning for retirement.
Generous employer contributions
On average, Civil Service employers contribute around 27% to your pension – compared to just 4% in the private sector.
Plus, member contribution rates are among the lowest in the public sector. Your contributions are tax free, and you’ll have the option of a tax-free lump sum when you retire.
Benefits for your loved ones
Make sure your loved ones and dependants are looked after in the event of your death. Benefits available include:
- A spouse/partner/civil partner’s pension
- A death benefit lump sum
- A children’s pension
- A Widow/Widower’s Pension Scheme (WPS) refund
Live assurance cover
The Civil Service pension scheme provides life assurance cover for you, and for your loved ones in the event of your death.
Questions asked by members like you
Each month your employer will deduct pension contributions from your pay.
These pension contributions are used to cover the cost of the scheme and do not equate to how much pension you have accrued.
These contributions aren’t invested anywhere, but are used to fund the scheme. Our alpha Contributions Explained guide contains more information.
You can switch between alpha and partnership more than once, but only once in 12 calendar months.
If your pension is paid before your Normal Pension Age (NPA) it is likely it will be paid for more time than was originally intended. Your pension is adjusted to take this into account.
This means your pension is reduced, to take account of the extra time it is expected to be paid.
The factors are worked out by the scheme actuaries, using assumptions such as life expectancy.
The pension you have built up to the date you retire is adjusted by the factor according to your age and how early you are taking your benefits.
The easiest way to see the reduction that is applied is to use the retirement modeller in the Pension Portal, which calculates this for you.
The contributions paid by you and your employer aren’t directly related to the pension you accrue. Your pension in alpha is calculated as 2.32% of your pensionable earnings.
As alpha is a defined benefit scheme the pension contributions are used to cover the cost of the scheme and do not equate to how much pension you have accrued. These contributions aren’t invested anywhere, but are used to fund the scheme.
Our alpha Contributions Explained guide contains more information.
If you leave with less than two years of service, you’ll be entitled to a refund of your contributions, less a deduction for tax. Alternatively, you can transfer your fund to another pension provider. If you leave with more than two years of service, your alpha pension benefits will be preserved and will be payable to you when you claim them at Normal Pension Age (NPA) or anytime from minimum pension age if you choose.
No. If you leave with less than two years of service and choose to receive a refund, it will only be for the contributions you have paid (less any deductions for tax).
If you leave with less than two years of service and choose to transfer your benefits to another scheme, the transfer will include the value of your employer contributions.
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