Are your retirement plans built on solid ground? If you’ve been thinking about accessing your pension at 55, that may no longer be an option after 6th April 2028.
From that date, the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) is rising from 55 to 57, meaning most people will have to wait an additional two years before taking money from their pension. But there’s a lesser-known detail that could make a big difference: some individuals have a protected right to access their pension earlier and may not realise they do.
Even more importantly, those protections can be lost if you take certain actions without proper guidance.
In this article, we answer the most common questions people are asking about the increase to the NMPA and explain how you can protect your options, including the right to access your pension earlier if you’re eligible.
Why is the minimum pension age increasing?
From 6th April 2028, the NMPA (the earliest age at which you can access your private or workplace pension without penalties) will increase from 55 to 57.
This change reflects longer life expectancies and the government’s aim to align pension access with modern working lives. It will apply to most people born after 6 April 1971 and is separate from the State Pension age, which is also set to rise to 67.
However, not everyone will be affected, thanks to a rule known as protected pension age.
What is a protected pension age?
A protected pension age gives you the legal right to access your pension before age 57, even after the rule change in 2028.
There are two main groups this may apply to:
1. People with pre-2006 protection
If you were in a pension scheme before 6th April 2006 that allowed early access — common in roles like professional sport or hazardous occupations — you may still be entitled to take your benefits as early as age 50. This is covered in more detail in the HMRC Pensions Tax Manual – PTM062210.
2. People with scheme-level protection from before November 2021
If, before 4th November 2021, your pension scheme gave you an unqualified right to take benefits before age 57 (meaning you didn’t need approval from an employer or trustee), that right is usually protected, even after 2028.
More on the criteria can be found in PTM062220. It’s important to note that this protection applies at the scheme level, so you may have one pension with a protected age and another that doesn’t.
Can I lose my protected pension age?
Yes — and it can happen more easily than you might think. If you make changes to your pension without understanding the implications, you could permanently lose your right to early access.
Transferring your pension incorrectly
If you move your pension to a new provider or consolidate old plans without following the correct process, your protected age may be lost — even if you had one to begin with.
Taking benefits at different times
In some schemes, you must take all benefits at once to preserve your protected age. Drawing part of your pension while leaving the rest untouched could cause you to lose protection.
Re-employment
In certain rare cases, being re-employed by a related organisation after accessing pension benefits early could also result in losing your protected status. You can learn more on this in PTM062230.
If you’re unsure, it’s essential to check the terms of your pension — or speak to an adviser who can review it for you.
I’m thinking of transferring my pension. Can I still keep my protection?
It depends on how the transfer is done. There are two main options for retaining a protected pension age:
Block transfers
This involves transferring your pension at the same time as at least one other member from the same scheme, as part of a clearly linked transaction. Done correctly, this can preserve your right to take benefits before age 57.
Not all schemes support block transfers, so you’ll need to confirm this with your provider. Timing and structure are key, and professional advice is strongly recommended.
Individual transfers (with ringfencing)
In some cases, you can transfer on your own and keep your protected pension age, but only for the specific benefits you move, and only if they are ringfenced within the new scheme.
Any future contributions or transfers into that plan won’t carry the same protection
This route is more complex and requires careful documentation to ensure the rules are met.
Does the change apply to everyone?
Not quite. Some professions are exempt from the increase in minimum pension age. These include:
• Armed Forces personnel (including reservists)
• Police officers (except the Civil Nuclear Constabulary)
• Firefighters
These roles are governed by separate pension rules and are not affected by the 2028 change.
What if I retire due to ill health?
The 2028 change does not affect ill-health retirement. If your scheme confirms that you’re unable to work due to medical reasons, you may still be able to access your pension early, even without a protected age. It’s also worth reviewing how early access could affect your wider retirement income planning, especially if you’re drawing down pension benefits sooner than expected.
I’ve already taken some of my pension. What does that mean for me?
If you’ve accessed your pension before 6th April 2028 under the current rules, you won’t be penalised.
However, there are still uncertainties around transitional cases (for example, people who take some benefits at 55 but haven’t reached 57 by the time the change comes into effect).
The government has acknowledged the need to clarify these scenarios but has not yet issued final guidance.
What should I do next?
With the minimum pension age increasing and rules around protection so easy to misinterpret, now is a good time to:
• Review your pension arrangements
• Check if you have a protected pension age
• Get guidance before making transfers or changes
Making the wrong move could restrict your access or cost you in the long run but getting it right could give you valuable flexibility and peace of mind as you plan for retirement.
Speak to the Flying Colours Advice team
The rules around pension access are changing, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.
At Flying Colours Advice, we help people make informed, confident decisions about their pensions. Whether you’re unsure if you have a protected age, thinking of consolidating pensions, or just want to make sure you’re retirement-ready, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with our team for clear, independent pension advice ahead of the 2028 change.
Need advice? We’re here to help
Whether you’re reviewing your pension, planning to pass on wealth, or just want peace of mind, our team is here to help.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investments should be considered over the longer term (minimum of 5 years) and should fit in with your overall risk profile and financial circumstances.
A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.