Veteran UK Pension Schemes: What do you need to know?
23 Jan 2025
If you are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, there are four main pension schemes you could belong to. Flinx has put together a brief overview to help you understand the different pension schemes and we know the experts who can help you further.
The Armed Forces Pension Schemes
AFPS 75 scheme – originally the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
(For regulars only)
The AFPS scheme is for servicemen and women who left the Armed Forces before 6th April, 2005. If you are non-commissioned, you can leave with immediate pension award entitlements after 22 years of service. Commissioned Officers can leave with immediate pension award entitlements after 16 years of service. A minimum of two years’ service is needed in order to be entitled to this pension.
AFPS 05 scheme
(For regulars only)
You will not receive an immediate pension if you are a Service leavers under the age of 55. You will receive an early departure payment and lump sum if you are aged between 40 and 55 and have completed 18 years’ service. A minimum of two years’ service is needed in order to be entitled to this pension.
AFPS 15 scheme
(All regulars and all reservists)
You will not receive an immediate pension if you are a Service leaver under the age of 60. There is an early departure payment and lump sum payable to Regular leavers only, if aged between 40 and 60. You must have completed 20 years’ service. A minimum of two years’ service is needed in order to be entitled to this pension.
RFPS 05 scheme
(Full time reservists only)
You will not receive an immediate pension if you are a Service leaver under the age of 60 and there are no early departure payments. All short periods of service are payable at the age of 60 - if you leave as a full-time reservist. One days’ service is needed to be entitled to this pension.
It is worth noting how much you receive and when, is dependent on how long you have served and the scheme you belong to.
Can I claim my Armed Forces Pension early?
You can apply to receive your Armed Forces Pension early if you are unable to work full-time due to physical or mental ill-health. If you left the Armed Forces due to an injury or illness, you may be eligible for compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme.
War Pension Scheme (WPS)
The scheme compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by Service before 6th April, 2005. Depending on your circumstances you will either receive a lump sum payment or an ongoing payment paid weekly or monthly. Visit the government website for more information.
Do military spouses and dependents have any pension entitlements?
You may be entitled to benefits from the pension scheme of a Serviceman or woman who has died, if you are a spouse, civil partner or dependant.
The AFPS 75, 05 and 15 schemes offer spouse and civil partner pensions. Only AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 provide pensions to unmarried partners.
Whether you need further information as a spouse or serving personnel, it is important to speak directly to the experts who can help you further as the pension schemes are complex. So who can help?