There’s a subtle change coming up shortly that’s more than just market chatter:  the rise in the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA). This is the earliest point most people can dip into their private or workplace pensions. From 6 April 2028, that gate shifts from 55 to 57. The reason? We’re living longer, and the government wants the rules to keep pace with the State Pension Age, which itself climbs to 67 on the very same day.

Who does this actually affect?

Born before 6 April 1971

You’re in the clear. By the time the rules change, you’ll already be 57, so nothing shifts for you.

Born after 5 April 1973

You’ll have to wait until your 57th birthday to tap into your pension without extra tax implications.

Born between 6 April 1971 and 5 April 1973

You fall into a “transition window.” From your 55th birthday until 6 April 2028, you can still access your pension under the old rules. But once the clock hits that date, you’ll need to wait until 57 to touch any pension funds you haven’t already drawn.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say your date of birth is 15^th March 1973, which means you’ll turn 55 on 15^th  March 2028. With this birthday, comes a narrow window of opportunity. There’s less than a month to access your pension (between 15^th March and 5^th April 2028), at age 55. After that, the door closes. The next time it opens is 15 March 2030, when you turn 57. If you were born in this transitional window and plan to access your pension at age 55, you must act before 6 April 2028.

Does this affect everyone?

Not quite. Some groups are exempt from the change. Members of the firefighters, police, and armed forces pension schemes won’t see their minimum age rise. If you have what’s called a Protected Pension Age (PPA), you may still be able to access your pension from 55—though it depends on your scheme’s rules. And if you retire early because of ill health, this increase won’t apply to you either.

How will this affect me?

If the NMPA change applies to you, it could mean working a little longer, reshaping your savings plan, or thinking about new income options. What matters most isn’t trying to predict the future—it’s being prepared for it. That’s where planning comes in.

Our job is to help you map out when you’d like to retire, what that looks like in practice, and how to make sure your finances support it. With the right preparation, you can face changes like this with confidence and still move toward financial independence on your terms.

If you’d like to revisit your retirement plan or explore your options, we’re here to help.

by Tomos Croxon, Client Services Executive