Freedom Isn’t Free UK Personal Finance
Pensions
Armed Forces Pension UK 2026: AFPS 75, 05 and 15 Compared
The Armed Forces Pension Scheme has three versions. AFPS 75 and AFPS 05 are final salary schemes, now closed. AFPS 15 is a career average scheme and is the only one open to serving personnel, who were all moved into it by 1 April 2022.
Armed Forces Pension Schemes compared
| Scheme | Type | How the pension builds | Pension point |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFPS 75 | Final salary (closed) | Based on final pensionable rank and length of reckonable service | Immediate pension after 16 years from age 21 (officers) or 22 years from age 18 (other ranks); deferred pension age 60 |
| AFPS 05 | Final salary (closed) | Based on final pensionable pay and reckonable service, up to a maximum of 40 years | Normal pension age 65; Early Departure Payment from 18 years service and age 40 |
| AFPS 15 | Career average (CARE), open | Builds at 1/47th of pensionable earnings each year, revalued each year | Normal pension age 60; Early Departure Payment from 20 years service and age 40 |