On 6 April 2028, the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) will increase from 55 to 57. This will impact the age at which new entrants to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme on or after 4 November 2021 can take their pension benefits. This change was made by the Finance Act 2022 and applies to all schemes, not just the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. 

A member would retain a NMPA of 55 if they had service in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme before the announcement regarding NMPA changes on 4 November 2021. Hence:

• From 6 April 2028, members with service in the final salary and/or career average scheme up to 3 November 2021 will retain the right to take Early (actuarially adjusted) Retirement or Phased Retirement from age 55 subject to an application being made and the relevant retirement conditions being satisfied. For example, for an ‘out-of-service’ Early Retirement application, a member must be out of service for a minimum of six weeks prior to the selected payable date of the Early Retirement award.

• Members who joined the career average scheme for the first time after 3 November 2021, will have a Normal Minimum Pension Age of 57.

There remain some policy considerations to work through, and the Department for Education is committed to giving an update as soon as possible.