Resources & Insights

Pension Age Rising to 57: Impact on Expats

By QROP Direct Editorial Team · Reviewed by an independent regulated pension specialist · Reviewed 2026-06-10

Pension Age Rising to 57: Impact on Expats

The normal minimum pension age (NMPA) — the earliest age at which most people can access their UK private pension savings — rises from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028. This change was legislated in the Finance Act 2022 and represents a significant shift for those planning to access their pensions in their mid-to-late 50s.

For UK expats, this change interacts with SIPP, QROPS, and workplace pension planning in ways that require careful attention — particularly for those approaching 55 and planning to access pension funds in the next few years.

This guide is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice.

Key Takeaways

• NMPA rises from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028 — applies to most UK registered pension schemes
• Transitional protections: Some members retain a protected pension age of 55 for specific schemes
• Ill-health exception: Pension benefits can still be accessed below NMPA for ill-health retirement
• State Pension age is separate — this change affects private pensions only, not the State Pension
• QROPS minimum ages are governed by their own jurisdiction but must broadly align with UK rules
• Planning implications: Access strategies for those aged 55–57 in 2028 need to be reviewed

What Is the Normal Minimum Pension Age?

The NMPA is the minimum age at which pension benefits from UK registered pension schemes (SIPPs, personal pensions, workplace DC and DB schemes) can normally be accessed. Below this age, taking pension benefits is an "unauthorised payment" subject to severe tax charges of up to 55%.

The NMPA has been set at 55 since the 2006 pension simplification rules. The government announced in 2021 that it would rise to 57 in 2028, broadly tracking two years behind the State Pension age trajectory.

The increase was legislated in the Finance Act 2022, providing formal statutory authority for the change.

Who Is Affected?

Most people aged under 57 on 6 April 2028 who intend to access pension benefits before that date will be affected — the NMPA increase delays their access by up to two years.

In practice: - Anyone currently aged 55 who planned to access their pension "from 55" may find that, by the time they reach 55, the NMPA has risen to 57 - Anyone aged 56 on 6 April 2028 will have to wait until they turn 57 to access pension benefits under the new rules (unless they have a protected pension age)

Who Has a Protected Pension Age?

A protected pension age (PPA) is a right to access pension benefits below the general NMPA, preserved from before the change.

Protection applies if:

A member was (or is) in a scheme with a "protected pension age" registered before 11 February 2021 (the date the NMPA increase was formally announced). These are typically occupational schemes that had a contractual right to access benefits from age 55 embedded in the scheme rules.

The protection attaches to the specific scheme — it does not automatically transfer when a pension is moved to a different scheme. This is a critical planning point.

Transferring a protected pension:

Under the Finance Act 2022 rules, a protected pension age can be preserved on transfer if: 1. The transfer is made as a "block transfer" to a new arrangement 2. Specific conditions are met

However, the rules are complex and the protection can be lost if the transfer is not structured correctly. Before transferring any pension where you believe you have a protected pension age, obtain specialist advice on whether the protection will be preserved.

Ill-Health Access

The NMPA change does not affect the ability to access pension benefits at any age under ill-health rules. If a member is genuinely unable to work due to ill-health, their pension scheme may allow early access under the scheme's ill-health provisions. The definition of ill-health and the required evidence vary by scheme.

Impact on Expat Planning

SIPP Access Before Age 57

Expats with international SIPPs who planned to access funds between ages 55 and 57 in the post-2028 period need to revise their planning:

• If you turn 55 before 6 April 2028: You can access pension benefits from that birthday under the current (55) rules — but only before the 2028 date
• If you turn 55 on or after 6 April 2028: The NMPA has already risen to 57; you must wait until 57

For those born between April 1973 and April 1975, this creates a "window" before 2028 where access at 55 is still possible. Expats in this age bracket should review their planning.

QROPS and the 57 Change

QROPS must have pension age rules broadly consistent with UK rules to maintain their HMRC recognition. Most reputable QROPS jurisdictions have minimum pension access ages of 55 or later, consistent with UK requirements.

Some QROPS jurisdictions may update their rules to reflect the UK's 2028 change; others may maintain 55 as their minimum access age. The interaction between UK OTC reporting requirements and QROPS access rules is complex — members should confirm with their QROPS administrator what age they can access benefits.

DB Pension Access Ages

DB occupational schemes have their own Normal Pension Ages (NPA), which vary by scheme (typically 60 or 65 for older schemes, state pension age for newer ones). The NMPA affects when benefits can be accessed from the DB scheme — members who want to take benefits before NPA already face actuarial reduction under DB rules, and those rules still apply.

For public sector schemes (NHS 2015, TPS 2015, LGPS), NPA is set at state pension age (67 for those born after 1960). The NMPA change does not practically affect these members since their scheme NPA is already 67.