RPSM08100010 - Technical Pages: Pension age: Normal minimum pension age

Normal minimum pension age

Generally, scheme rules must not allow members to take any pension benefits from any registered pension scheme before they reach the normal minimum pension age. The normal minimum pension age for a member is

• before 6 April 2010 - age 50
• on or after 6 April 2010 - age 55.

There is no HMRC requirement that the member must retire before benefits can be taken.

Members may take benefits from different schemes or part of an arrangement within the same scheme at different times. For example, a member may take their additional voluntary contributions (AVC) benefits at age 55 whilst continuing in employment and then take their main scheme benefits at age 60.

There are separate rules for pensions paid due to ill-health (see RPSM08100070) or on serious ill-health grounds - see RPSM08100080.