civil service pension choice

[robinsnests]

I have been offered the Alpha or Partnership scheme. I am 52 with only 50k pension pot after being a stay at home mum for over a decade and then only part time. Obviously I really need to address this now, any advice would be welcome!

Look at the summaries here:

https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/joining-the-pension-scheme/alpha-or-partnership/

Alpha gives you a ‘known’ pension (defined benefit), Partnership will give you an invested pension fund (defined contribution) and the same website will be able to give you examples & estimates

Thank you! That looks really helpful.

Asking the question on the MSE pensions forum might be useful too.
Many wise people there too.

The Alpha normal pension age is your state pension age. If you are able to pay extra, the EPA option allows you to pay a higher % to get your pension paid in full 1, 2 or 3 years early.

There are also other options to increase the Alpha pension with AVCs. https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/your-pension/managing-your-pension/increase-your-pension/

My view is the DB scheme (Alpha) offers a lot more certainty and is the scheme often talked about as gold plated. However, only you know your circumstances.

Alpha almost certainly right choice - but follow advice above.

At your age Alpha is worth significantly more than Partnership (just seen partnership is matching up to 3% - Alpha would be better at any age!). Alpha would be a no brainer if I was you.

I would go for Alpha.

thank you all! going to sign up to Alpha. Appreciate all the advice.

I would go with Alpha. However just want to point out that Partnership isn't just 3% matching as incorrectly stated. It's zero contribution with a fairly generous employer contribution based on your age I.e. older you are the higher contribution. Think it goes up to something like 14%.
The 3% is in addition , I.e if you pay in 3% they will also match this on top of the age related contribution.

Benefit of partnership would also be you can access it earlier than alpha which is linked to your state pension age. Ime most ppl go for alpha but Partnership isn't without merits.