Civil Service Pension UK 2026: Classic, Premium, Nuvos and Alpha
Quick answer
Every active civil servant now builds up pension in alpha, a career average scheme that grows by 2.32% of pensionable pay each year, with a normal pension age equal to State Pension age (or 65 if later). The older classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos sections closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022.
Civil Service pension schemes compared
| Scheme | Type | How the pension builds | Normal pension age |
|---|---|---|---|
| alpha | Career average (defined benefit) | 2.32% of each year of pensionable pay; open to all active members since 1 April 2022 | State Pension age, or 65 if later |
| nuvos | Career average (defined benefit) | 2.3% of each year of pensionable earnings; closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022 | 65 |
| premium | Final salary (defined benefit) | 1/60th of final salary per year of service; closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022 | 60 |
| classic plus | Final salary (defined benefit) | 1/80th plus a 3/80ths lump sum for early service, 1/60th for later service; closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022 | 60 |
| classic | Final salary (defined benefit) | 1/80th of final salary per year of service plus a 3/80ths lump sum; closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022 | 60 |
The Civil Service pension is a defined benefit arrangement, which means it pays a guaranteed income in retirement rather than building a pot whose value rises and falls with markets. Over the years it has run through several sections, and which one you hold depends on when you joined. The table above sets out each section, how its pension builds, and the age at which it is normally paid in full.
The dividing line is 31 March 2022. On that date the older classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos sections closed to new accrual, and from 1 April 2022 every remaining active member began building up benefits in alpha, the career average scheme, as part of the McCloud remedy. Benefits you earned before then stay in your original section under its own rules; everything you earn now grows in alpha at 2.32% of pensionable pay a year. Member contributions are tiered by salary and are the same across all sections.
For how a defined benefit promise sits alongside the State Pension and workplace pots, see our pillar on UK pensions explained. To compare the Civil Service scheme with other public sector arrangements, read our guides to the Armed Forces pension and the police pension, or our explainer on the Teachers' Pension.
Frequently asked questions
What is the alpha pension?
Alpha is the current Civil Service pension scheme. It is a career average defined benefit scheme: every active member builds up a pension worth 2.32% of their pensionable pay each year, and that pot is revalued each year until retirement. Its normal pension age is your State Pension age, or 65 if that is later.
How much do civil servants pay into their pension?
Member contributions are tiered by salary. For 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 the rates are 4.60% on pay up to GBP 34,799, 5.45% from GBP 34,800 to GBP 56,000, 7.35% from GBP 56,001 to GBP 150,000, and 8.05% above GBP 150,000. The same rates apply across classic, classic plus, premium, nuvos and alpha.
What is the difference between classic and alpha?
Classic is an older final salary scheme that built up a pension of 1/80th of final salary per year of service plus a lump sum, with a normal pension age of 60. Alpha is a career average scheme building up 2.32% of pay each year, with a normal pension age tied to State Pension age. Classic closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022, so current members now build up benefits in alpha instead.
Which civil service pension scheme am I in?
If you are an active civil servant you are building up pension in alpha, because the older classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos sections closed to new accrual on 31 March 2022. You may still hold benefits earned earlier in one of those closed sections. Your annual benefit statement and Pension Portal account show which sections you have.
Sources
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General information, not financial advice. Tax rules and figures can change; check the current position on gov.uk before acting.