RPSM03307030 - Scheme Administrator Pages: Protecting pension rights from tax charges: Benefit payments – other forms of protection: Benefits before normal minimum pension age

Protection for taking benefits before normal minimum pension age and the reduction in the lifetime allowance for individuals who have right to take benefits before age 50

Individuals taking pension and lump sum benefits from a registered pension scheme before normal minimum pension age unless

• on the grounds of ill health or
• the individual has a protected pension age, or
• the member started taking those benefits before 6 April 2010 having reached the normal minimum pension age of 50

will incur an unauthorised payments charge. RPSM03307031 tells you when an individual may have a protected pension age. RPSM03307032 to RPSM03307035 explain what conditions must be met to have a protected pension age and when the right to a protected pension age may be lost.

Individuals who do have the right to take pension and lump sum rights before age 50, usually sports people, may have a reduced lifetime allowance when they take benefits before 50 see RPSM03307036.