Freedom Isn’t Free UK Personal Finance
Pensions
Civil Service Pension UK 2026: Classic, Premium, Nuvos and Alpha
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 |