The pension age is rising: What the move from 55 to 57 might mean for you

Are you planning to access your pension at age 55? From 6 April 2028, the earliest age most people can draw from their private pensions will rise to 57. It’s a change that could affect your retirement timeline, especially if you’re aiming to ease back from work or retire early. 

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and starting to shape your future, it’s also worth understanding what this means for you. The good news is there’s still time to prepare, protect what you’ve built, and plan with confidence. 

In this blog, we’ll break down what’s changing, who it affects, the most common questions we hear, and how to stay in control of your retirement plans. 

What you need to know at a glance

• From 6 April 2028, the earliest age most people can access private pensions will rise from 55 to 57. 

• If you were born after 5 April 1973 and don’t have a Protected Pension Age (PPA), you’ll be affected.  

• If your pension was opened before 3 November 2021 and you had an unqualified right to access it at age 55, you may be eligible for a protected pension age. This means you can continue to access your pension at age 55, even after the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) increases to 57 on 6 April 2028. 

• This change could impact when you stop working or start drawing income, but it also creates opportunities to plan ahead. 

• Reviewing your pensions now can help you avoid gaps, make the most of your options, and retire on your terms. 

What is the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA), and what’s changing?

The Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) is the earliest you can usually start taking money from a personal or workplace pension. It’s separate from the State Pension, which has different rules and timing. 

Right now, the NMPA is 55. From 6 April 2028, it will rise to 57, in line with changing retirement trends and increased life expectancy. This change is outlined in legislation following the Finance Act 2022. 

If you don’t have a protected pension age (more on that below), this change could delay your accessing your pension by two years, potentially affecting when you stop working or reduce your hours. 

Who is affected, and what is the Protected Pension Age (PPA)?

The increase will affect most people born after 5 April 1973, unless their pensions qualify for protection. 

You may have a protected pension age (PPA) if: 

1. You were part of a pension scheme on or before 3 November 2021 

1. The scheme allowed access from 55 at that time 

1. You haven’t transferred it (or transferred it under specific, protected conditions) 

A PPA means you can still access that pension from 55, even after 2028, but only if the protection is still valid. 

This was confirmed by HMRC in Pension Schemes Newsletter 136 (January 2022), which outlines how protected pension ages work and the conditions for keeping them during transfers. 

Because these details vary between providers and schemes, it’s worth checking your pension plans or getting professional retirement planning advice to confirm what applies. 

Illustrative examples: How the change could affect different situations

To show how the 2028 pension age change could play out in practice, we’ve put together two fictional examples. These aren’t real clients, but they help frame the two distinct scenarios you could be facing. 

Example 1: No protection, plans need adjusting

Emma, 46, was planning to access her pension at 55 to support a phased retirement. But after checking her pensions, none have a protected age. She’s now exploring other income sources (such as ISAs and investments) to cover the two-year gap, while keeping her retirement age the same. 

This example shows how the NMPA change could affect people expecting early access to their pensions.

Example 2: Mixed pots, mixed access

Raj, 48, has several pensions. One older scheme includes a protected pension age of 55, while the rest follow the standard rules. He’s now planning to use the protected pot between 55 and 57, then start drawing from the others, smoothing his transition into retirement. 

This example highlights how different pensions can have different rules, and how you can plan and use them accordingly. 

Planning opportunities: how to take control now

With a little forward planning, you can avoid surprises and build in flexibility. Here are some ways to stay ahead: 

• Check for protected pension ages in older pension arrangements as it could make a two-year difference to your plans 

• Consider using ISAs or investment accounts for tax-efficient income before age 57 

• Avoid accidental loss of protection when consolidating pensions (always check before you transfer anything) 

• Top up your savings if you think you’ll need extra flexibility in your 50s 

• Run a few retirement scenarios to see how small changes affect the bigger picture 

• Speak to a financial adviser who can help build a strategy tailored to your needs, goals, and access options 

What are the risks of not planning ahead?

It’s easy to assume your pensions will be there when you want them, but without checking, you could hit some bumps along the way. Risks include: 

• Income gaps if you plan to stop working at 55 but can’t access your pension until 57 

• Unexpected tax charges if you withdraw from an unprotected pension early 

• Losing protection through an uninformed transfer or consolidation 

• Inflexibility that limits how and when you can retire 

These aren’t inevitable, but they’re easier to avoid if you act early. 

FAQs: What else should I know about the NMPA change?

Is the State Pension age going up too?

No, this change only affects private pensions. The State Pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and 68 in future years, depending on your date of birth.

Does this affect final salary (defined benefit) pensions?

It can, but it depends on the scheme. Many defined benefit pensions set their own retirement age, which may not be linked to the NMPA. However, if your scheme allows early access from 55, that may change after 2028 unless protection applies. 

Can I still retire at 55 if I want to?

Yes, you can retire whenever you like, but if you can’t access your pension until 57, you’ll need to cover the gap in income by using other savings or investments. Planning ahead can help make this possible without compromising your long-term goals.

Should I transfer my pension to get a protected age?

No, transferring now won’t give you protection unless the new scheme already includes it and very specific rules are met. In most cases, transferring won’t help retain age 55 access. It’s important to get advice before making any changes. 

Review your access age and stay in control

A two-year shift in pension access might not sound dramatic, but if you were planning to retire or reduce your working hours from age 55, it’s worth checking how the upcoming change could affect you. 

By reviewing your pension arrangements, understanding whether you have a protected age, and exploring other savings options, you can avoid surprises and move forward with clarity. 

Want to know where you stand? We’re here to help you navigate the changes and build a retirement plan that fits your life, not the other way around. 

Book a consultation today to review your pension access age and retirement strategy with one of our expert advisers. 

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. 

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. 

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.