Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether civil servants who defer taking their Civil Service pension after the normal retirement age for that pension receive (a) a higher pension and (b) an actuarial enhancement; whether any unclaimed pension from normal retirement age is subsequently payable as a lump sum when the person retires and claims the pension; how the policy varies by Civil Service pension type; and what approach is applied to people who have more than one type of Civil Service pension.

Civil servants may have benefits under several schemes, depending on their length of service. There are four closed (or legacy) schemes (Classic, Classic Plus, Premium and Nuvos) The fifth scheme (alpha) is the only defined benefit scheme open to civil servants at this time.

Civil Servants who defer taking their Civil Service pension after normal retirement age for the pension from which they are claiming benefits would receive:

• Classic, Classic Plus & Premium Pension schemes: This group does not receive a higher pension or actuarial enhancement. Pension will be backpaid to normal retirement age without interest added.

• Nuvos and alpha Pension schemes: This group would receive actuarial enhancement for late payment and this would apply to any lump sums taken at the time.

• For Civil servants who are members of more than one scheme, each pension is dealt with separately and in line with the scheme rules.