When Can I Access My Private Pension?

Private pension access age — what you need to know

The minimum age at which you can access your private pension (personal pension, SIPP, workplace pension) is set by the government and is changing.

Current rules — age 55

Currently the minimum pension access age is 55. You can start drawing from your private pension from this age, regardless of whether you have stopped working.

The change to age 57 — April 2028

From 6 April 2028, the minimum pension access age rises to 57. This change was legislated in the Finance Act 2022 and applies to most private pensions. Whether you are affected depends on your date of birth:

• If you turn 55 before 6 April 2028 — you can access your pension at 55 under the current rules
• If you turn 55 on or after 6 April 2028 — you must wait until age 57
• If you are born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973 — you may have a window where you can access at 55 before the rules change, then face a gap until 57

Protected pension ages

Some older pension schemes have a "protected pension age" that allows access earlier than 55 — often as early as 50. If you have a pension with a protected pension age, this protection may or may not carry over when the rules change in 2028. Check with your pension provider.

Ill health and serious ill health

There are exceptions that allow access before the minimum age in cases of serious ill health. If you have a terminal illness or serious condition, you may be able to access your pension early — sometimes as a tax-free lump sum.

What can you do with your pension from the access age?

• Take the 25% tax-free lump sum — use our Tax-Free Lump Sum Calculator
• Draw down income — take regular or ad-hoc withdrawals, taxed as income — use our Pension Drawdown Tax Calculator
• Buy an annuity — exchange your pot for a guaranteed income for life
• Leave it invested — keep the pension growing if you do not need the money yet
• Combine approaches — most people use a mix of the above

State Pension age

The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and further increases are planned. The State Pension is separate from your private pension and is based on your National Insurance record — you need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension of £221.20 per week (2025/26).