This is your guide to the range of benefits to which you may be entitled as a member of the classic scheme. classic is one of the pension schemes in Civil Service Pensions (CSP).
The arrangements cover all civil servants and certain groups of non-civil servants, subject to eligibility. classic was closed to new entrants from 1 October 2002.
After 31 March 2015, with the introduction of the new scheme, alpha, no person is in or is eligible to be in pensionable service under classic, unless the person’s a protected member. This is because all other members would’ve transitioned into the alpha scheme from 1 April 2015.
A protected member means a full protection member or a tapered protection member.
If you’ve transitioned into alpha and you want to find out more about how this affects your pension, you should read the alpha scheme guide.
This is your guide to the benefits you may be entitled to as a member of the classic scheme.
Up to 30 September 2002, the only pension offered to civil servants was the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS).
Your pension, together with your pay, forms part of your total benefits package.
Added pension is an additional amount of pension that you can choose to buy.
If you leave voluntarily or opt out of classic before you retire and have at least two years’ qualifying service, you’ve the option to keep your benefits in the scheme or transfer them to another scheme.
There are certain conditions, which you need to be aware of before you apply for retirement.
A death benefit lump sum is payable when you die depending on circumstances.
We hold your classic pension records and administer your pension on your employer’s behalf, including working out and arranging your pension payments.