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Armed forces pension | Schemes, FAQs and more
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All service personnel are automatically enrolled into the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. Among the most lucrative pensions available, it reflects the unique service of those in the military. Unlike other pensions, it’s entirely paid for by the public purse.
There are, however, a number of different schemes, depending on when you served in the armed forces. Each has their own rules and every veteran has individual circumstances, making pensions harder to navigate.
The armed forces pension calculator is a useful tool to estimate the income you’ll be entitled to at retirement age.
Essential information on the armed forces pension
How long do you have to serve in the armed forces pension to get a pension?
As a general rule, those serving in the armed forces need to have completed two years in the military to qualify for a pension. This requirement does vary by armed forces pension scheme and may be influenced by specific personal circumstances.
Is the armed forces pension good?
A number of factors, including the fact that armed forces pensions are inflation-proofed and unaffected by stock market fluctuations, makes them among the best in the public sector. Members pay zero per cent in contributions each month, but can receive a lucrative income upon retirement.
How do I claim an armed forces pension?
Start the process of claiming your armed forces pension in advance of when you intend to retire, so you don’t find yourself without an income for any period of time. Between six and nine months before you leave the military you can apply for your pension forecast. Do this by completing AFPS Form 12.
Then it’s a case of submitting your application for your pension, which is done through AFPS Form 1. For deferred pensions, the paperwork is AFPS Form 14 and AFPS Form 8.
What are the types of armed forces pension schemes?
There are four main armed forces pension schemes:
AFPS 75
The armed forces pension scheme 1975 is for regular armed forces personnel only and closed to new entrants on April 5th, 2005. At least two years of service is required to claim this pension, while commissioned officers can leave with immediate pension award entitlements after 16 years of reckonable service from age 21.
Non-commissioned members of the military can leave with immediate pension award entitlements after 22 years of reckonable service from age 18.
AFPS 05
This regulars-only pension scheme stopped accepting new members on March 31st, 2015. After two years of service, the pension entitlement begins, but no immediate pension is payable to military leavers before the age of 55. Personnel who do leave before turning 55 will receive a preserved pension at age 65.
For anyone who’s enrolled and completed 18 years of service, there is the possibility of an Early Departure Payment (EDP) income stream and tax-free lump sum. This is paid out to armed forces leavers between the ages of 40 and 55.
AFPS 15
Open to all regulars and reservists, the AFPS 15 is the one new service members are currently being added to. Entitlement begins after two years of service, but there’s no immediate pension payable to leavers until the age of 60. Personnel who leave before turning 60 will get a deferred pension payable when they reach state pension age.
Regulars aged between 40 and 60 with 20 years of service can access an EDP income stream and lump sum.
RFPS 05
From April 6th, 2005 up until March 31st, 2015, full-time reservists could be entered into the RFPS 05 scheme. Just one day of service makes a reservist entitled to this pension, but pensions are paid out until age 60 and there are no EDP awards.
Members who leave before turning 60 will receive a preserved pension to be paid at age 65. All short periods of service will be paid out at the age of 60 if personnel are still serving in a reservist capacity at that time.
Which armed forces pension scheme am I in?
FAQs on armed forces pensions
What is the armed forces pension increase across the years?
To ensure military veterans have enough money to live on, armed forces pensions are index-linked and keep pace with inflation. The increase is 6.7 per cent for 2024, but was 10.1 per cent in 2023 and 3.1 per cent in 2022.
In 2021, the armed forces pension increase was just 0.5 per cent, demonstrating how wildly different the change can be from year to year.
Can armed forces pensions be transferred?
Armed forces pensions can only be transferred to another defined scheme under certain circumstances and if they haven’t begun to be paid out.
Can I lose my armed forces pension?
A forfeiture policy is applicable to armed forces pensions, which means that individuals who commit a grave or serious crime are not eligible to claim a publicly-funded pension. This includes crimes that bring the military into disrepute or cause grave injury to the state.
Do I pay National Insurance on my armed forces pension?
National Insurance Contributions are not due on armed forces pensions or EDP income.
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