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Your Pension - Your Future
Blog
The Normal Minimum Pension Age is changing
04 Mar 2026
On 6 April 2028 the Government is increasing the normal minimum pension age from 55 to 57. This is the earliest age most people can access their pension benefits.
There are a few exceptions, such as where an individual is retiring due to ill-health or has a lower protected pension age.
What does this mean for you?
| Born on or before 6 April 1971 | You won’t be affected as you’ll already be 57 by 6 April 2028. |
Born between 7 April 1971 and 5 April 1973 | You can take your ZPen benefits between age 55 and 5 April 2028; otherwise, you’ll generally need to wait until you’re 57.* |
| Born on or after 6 April 1973 | You’ll generally need to wait until you’re 57 to take your ZPen benefits.* |
* Exceptions may apply if you’re retiring due to ill health or have a protected pension age.
Do you have a protected pension age?
Some people who joined ZPen before 6 April 2006 have a protected pension age. This means they can take their ZPen benefits from age 50.
If this applies to you, you’ll be able to run retirement calculations on the member website at retirement dates from age 50.
If you have a protected pension age and choose to take your ZPen benefits earlier than the normal minimum pension age there are some other requirements that need to be met:
- If you are still working for Zurich, you must leave.
- You must take all your ZPen benefits at the same time (both final salary and ZCashBuilder).
- If you have ZPen benefits in Tier 2000, you must give six months’ notice to take your pension.
What should you do?
If you’re thinking about taking your ZPen benefits early, you should consider how the change to the normal minimum pension age might affect your retirement plans. You may find it helpful to discuss your plans with a financial adviser.