What Is Changing and When?
The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) – the earliest age at which you can access your private pension without facing an unauthorised payment tax charge – is increasing from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028. This change was legislated in the Finance Act 2022 and applies to the vast majority of pension savers in the UK.
The increase applies to both defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) pensions. After 6 April 2028, if you attempt to access your pension before age 57 and you do not have a protected pension age, you could face a tax charge of up to 55% on the entire amount withdrawn.
Who Is Affected?
The change primarily affects people born after 5 April 1971. Here is how different age groups are impacted:
| Date of Birth | Current Age (2026) | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1971 | 55+ | Not affected – already 55 or older, can access pension now under current rules |
| 6 April 1971 – 5 April 1973 | 53–54 | Most affected – will turn 55 before April 2028 but may not have started accessing pension. Can still access at 55 if they act before 6 April 2028 |
| After 5 April 1973 | Under 53 | Will reach 55 after April 2028, so must wait until 57 regardless |
Protected Pension Ages: Do You Have One?
Some pension scheme members may have a protected pension age that allows them to access their benefits before 57 even after the change. Protection applies if:
- Your pension scheme rules, as they stood on 11 February 2021, gave you an unconditional right to take benefits at an age below 57
- You were a member of that scheme on or before 11 February 2021 (or joined under a block transfer from a protected scheme)
- Your scheme has not changed the relevant rules since 11 February 2021 to remove the lower age
The most common protected pension age is 55 for members of certain occupational pension schemes. Some public sector schemes (such as the armed forces, police, and fire service) have even lower protected ages reflecting the physical demands of those roles.
Transferring and Losing Protection
One of the biggest risks is losing your protected pension age through a pension transfer. If you move your pension from a scheme with a protected age of 55 to a new provider that does not offer the same protection, you will likely lose your right to access benefits at 55 and will have to wait until 57.
This is particularly important if you are considering consolidating multiple pension pots or transferring to a SIPP. Always ask the receiving scheme whether they will honour your protected pension age before agreeing to any transfer.
Why Is the Age Increasing?
The government has linked the NMPA to the State Pension age, maintaining a 10-year gap between the two. As the State Pension age rises from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, the NMPA rises from 55 to 57. This policy is intended to discourage people from accessing their pensions too early and running out of money in later life.
If the State Pension age increases further to 68 in the future (as currently planned for the late 2030s or 2040s), the NMPA would rise again to 58. However, no further increase has been confirmed at the time of writing.
What Should You Do Before April 2028?
If you are aged 53–56 and have been considering accessing your pension, here are the key steps to take:
- Check your date of birth against the deadline – Will you turn 55 before or after 6 April 2028?
- Contact your pension provider – Ask whether your scheme has a protected pension age and what options are available to you
- Consider your options now – If you want to access your pension at 55, you need to crystallise benefits before 6 April 2028. See our guide on pension options at 55
- Do not rush – While the deadline creates urgency, making a poor pension decision to beat a deadline could cost you far more than waiting two extra years. Get advice first
- Be cautious about transfers – Ensure any pension transfer preserves your protected pension age if applicable
Impact on Retirement Planning
The two-year delay to pension access may require adjustments to your retirement plan, particularly if you were planning to retire at 55. Consider:
- Working two years longer – The simplest solution is to continue working until 57, which also means two more years of pension contributions and growth
- Building an ISA bridge – If you want to stop working at 55, build up ISA savings to cover living expenses for the two years until you can access your pension. See our ISA bridge strategy guide
- Using other savings – Savings accounts, investments outside of a pension wrapper, or rental income could bridge the gap
The Bigger Picture: State Pension Age Timeline
| Period | State Pension Age | Normal Minimum Pension Age |
|---|---|---|
| Before April 2026 | 66 | 55 |
| 2026 – 2028 | Rising from 66 to 67 | 55 (until April 2028) |
| From April 2028 | 67 | 57 |
| Future (proposed) | 68 | 58 (not yet confirmed) |