Answers · UK 2025/26
What age can I access my pension from 2028?
From 6 April 2028, the minimum pension access age rises from 55 to 57. This applies to most personal and workplace pensions. Existing protected pension ages (from certain schemes) may still allow earlier access. You should check your scheme rules if you plan to access your pension before 57.
Full answer
From 6 April 2028, the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) rises from 55 to 57. This applies to most personal pensions (including SIPPs) and workplace defined contribution schemes, and to the defined benefit (final salary) pension schemes. Some schemes have a protected pension age lower than 57 — in particular, certain public service scheme members (fire, police, armed forces) and scheme members with pre-existing protected pension ages written into scheme rules before 11 February 2021 may retain the right to access at 55. If you are affected, you should check your pension scheme's documentation or speak to your scheme administrator. Accessing pensions before the NMPA (without a valid protection) is an unauthorised payment and triggers a tax charge of up to 70% of the amount taken. The NMPA does not affect the State Pension age.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.