When can I take money from my private pension?

The normal minimum pension age, the earliest most people can take money from a workplace or personal pension, is 55. It rises to 57 on 06/04/2028 and is separate from State Pension age.

Minimum age to take a private pension: 55; The normal minimum pension age, until 05/04/2028. Scheme rules can set a later age.; legislation.gov.uk: Finance Act 2022, section 10 (increase of normal minimum pension age)
Minimum pension age from 06/04/2028: 57; Set by the Finance Act 2022. Some members with a protected pension age, and uniformed services schemes, keep a lower age.; legislation.gov.uk: Finance Act 2022, section 10 (increase of normal minimum pension age)
State Pension age now: 66; For people born from 06/10/1954 to 05/04/1960. People born from 06/04/1960 to 05/03/1961 reach it at 66 plus 1 to 11 months.; legislation.gov.uk: Pensions Act 1995, Schedule 4 (pensionable age)
Lump sum allowance (tax-free cash): £268,275; Usually up to 25% of a pension can be taken tax-free, capped at this total across all your pensions unless you hold a protected allowance.; HMRC: Pension schemes rates and allowances

Tax year 2026/27. Checked 22/09/2026.

The normal minimum pension age

The normal minimum pension age is the earliest age at which most people can take money from a workplace or personal pension without an unauthorised payments tax charge. It is 55 now.

The Finance Act 2022 raises it to 57 from 06/04/2028. The government linked the change to State Pension age rising to 67.

This is the minimum under tax law. A scheme’s own rules can set a later age, and many workplace schemes set a normal pension age of between 60 and 65.

Exceptions

Ill health: benefits can be taken earlier if you retire because of ill health, under the scheme’s rules.
Protected pension age: some members who, before 04/11/2021, had an unconditional right under their scheme’s rules to take benefits before 57 can keep a lower age.
Uniformed services: members of the armed forces, police and firefighters’ public service schemes are not affected by the rise and stay at 55.

If you are 55 or 56 when the age rises

In August 2026 HMRC opened a technical consultation on draft regulations for people who are 55 or 56 on 05/04/2028 and have already become entitled to, or started taking, pension benefits. The draft would let certain payments made after that date still count as authorised. These regulations are a draft, not law. Pension providers can confirm how their scheme applies the rules.

State Pension age is different

The minimum pension age applies to private pensions (workplace and personal pensions, including SIPPs). The State Pension has its own State Pension age, currently 66 and rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

Offers of early access

Some companies offer to help people take money out of a pension before the minimum age. Unless an exception applies, this is likely to be an unauthorised payment, which can mean tax of up to 55%. The FCA lists early pension release offers among common scams.

When you do reach the minimum age

You can usually take up to 25% tax-free (within the £268,275 lump sum allowance), with the rest taxed as income. Flexibly accessing a defined contribution pension can reduce the amount you can later pay in with tax relief to £10,000 a year (the money purchase annual allowance).

Pension Wise, part of MoneyHelper, offers a free appointment to people over 50 to talk through their options for defined contribution pensions. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and tax rules can change.

Questions people ask

›What is the minimum pension age in 2026?

55 for most people, unless an exception such as ill health or a protected pension age applies. Scheme rules can set a later age.

›When does the minimum pension age rise to 57?

On 06/04/2028, under the Finance Act 2022.

›Is the minimum pension age the same as State Pension age?

No. The minimum pension age is for private pensions and is 55 (57 from 06/04/2028). State Pension age is currently 66 and rising to 67.

›Can I get my pension before 55?

Usually only through ill health or if you have a protected pension age. Other early access is likely to be an unauthorised payment taxed at up to 55%, and offers of early release are a known scam.

Related guides

Sources

This is information, not advice. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and can change. For free, impartial guidance, MoneyHelper (backed by the government) can help; for a personal recommendation, speak to a regulated financial adviser.