A civil service pension transfer out usually has to go to another defined benefit scheme; the law bars moving a preserved pension into a SIPP.

If you hoped to move a civil service pension into a SIPP, the answer for most members is no: the scheme is unfunded, and the law limits where it may send a transfer value. A move to another defined benefit scheme, including one under Public Sector Transfer Club terms, can still go ahead. Before deciding anything, an FCA-authorised adviser could go through how your other pensions fit around this, and you can book a free call back about your transfer options with the form on this page.

Can I transfer my civil service pension out to a SIPP?

Not if you hold a preserved pension. The scheme's alpha guide (last updated 22 August 2022) says: "If you qualified for a preserved pension, you cannot transfer your alpha pension to a Defined Contribution or money purchase scheme." The same guide says that a transfer to such a scheme is possible for someone who left without qualifying for a preserved pension, a narrow case covered below.

The legal basis is section 95(2A) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, inserted by section 68 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015. Section 68 is headed "Restriction on transfers out of unfunded public service defined benefits schemes: Great Britain" and has no effect on an application made before 6 April 2015. Subsection (2A) opens: "In the case of a member of an occupational pension scheme that is an unfunded public service defined benefits scheme, the ways referred to in subsection (1) are—" and then lists the permitted routes. Moving into another occupational scheme needs "the benefits that may be provided under the other scheme by virtue of the transfer credits are not flexible benefits"; moving into a personal pension needs "the benefits that may be provided under the personal pension scheme by virtue of the acquired rights are not flexible benefits".

Subsection (2C) defines the term: a public service pension scheme that "(a) is a defined benefits scheme within the meaning given by section 37 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, and (b) meets some or all of its liabilities otherwise than out of a fund accumulated for the purpose during the life of the scheme." The Cabinet Office's annual account for the civil service arrangements calls the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme and alpha unfunded, with benefits paid from public funds provided by Parliament. Subsection (2B) lets the Treasury switch off the flexible-benefits test by regulations, in prescribed circumstances or for prescribed schemes.

Does the rule cover alpha, classic, premium and nuvos?

The statute attaches to the scheme rather than to a section, and the annual account describes both the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (home of classic, classic plus, premium and nuvos) and alpha as unfunded. The scheme's general page for leavers says that with more than two years' service "Transfer restrictions may apply". For the older sections, an adviser can explain how the restriction applies once you submit the enquiry form here.

The exception is the short-service case. The member hub says anyone leaving the Civil Service with less than two years' service is sent a quote showing the transfer value, with a deadline on the letter; miss it and the contributions are refunded. For alpha members who left without qualifying for a preserved pension, the alpha guide says a move to a defined contribution or money purchase scheme is possible, provided the new scheme is UK tax registered and able to accept the transfer under the Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) regulations.

Where a civil service pension can go

The alpha guide says you can "usually only transfer your pension into a UK pension scheme, which is registered by HM Revenue & Customs, or a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme". The receiving scheme must be willing to accept the money and may set its own timescales. For a preserved pension it must also pass the statutory test above, so in practice another defined benefit arrangement.

Club transfers to other public schemes

A Club transfer is a move between two members of the Public Sector Transfer Club. The Cabinet Office memorandum (PSTC 8, 1 September 2023, in force from 1 October 2023, copy hosted by lgpslibrary.org) describes the Club as "a network of public and private sector occupational pension schemes". For final salary service the memorandum describes a broadly equivalent service credit in the new scheme, using standard tables prepared by the Government Actuary's Department; career average benefits such as alpha move under separate inner Club terms, credited as pension based on the preserved pension in the old scheme.

Three conditions in the memorandum matter. The election to proceed must reach the receiving scheme within 12 months of becoming eligible to join it, and a request for an estimate does not count. A Club transfer is normally available only until the sending scheme's normal pension age. And the break between leaving one scheme and joining the next can be no more than five years. Transfers that fall outside the Club arrangements are non-Club transfers, which schemes deal with on their own actuaries' advice. The NHS side of the same moves is in can I transfer my NHS pension, and how the two schemes compare is in NHS pension vs civil service.

Can a civil service pension be transferred overseas?

Only within tight limits. Regulation 2 of the Unfunded Public Service Defined Benefits Schemes (Transfers) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1614, in force 7 September 2015) says the overseas arrangement must be, where the sending scheme is tax registered, "a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme", and in every case one that "may only provide benefits by virtue of the subscription that are not flexible benefits". The explanatory note says the regulations prevent transfers to a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme which can provide flexible benefits. An overseas QROPS that would pay out flexibly is therefore not an option. The wider position is in transferring a UK pension to another country, and the scheme type itself in what a QROPS is.

How do I request a civil service pension transfer?

The member hub says that if you leave employment in the Civil Service you can ask to transfer out. In outline:

  1. Speak to your new pension provider, who then contacts the scheme administrator to start the process.
  2. About three weeks later the administrator sends a quotation and forms to you or the new provider, whoever asked. "The transfer amount will be guaranteed for 3 months."
  3. You pass the details to the new provider, who confirms what the value would buy there.
  4. To go ahead, you return the forms that came with the quote, and the new provider completes its section of the discharge form.
  5. The administrator reviews the transfer and pays it to the new provider.

Added Pension or EPA you were buying is included in the value. The Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme is not; it is separate, and you request that transfer from its own provider. Per the alpha guide you can have one quote free each year and may be charged for more, and if you do not confirm within three months the value is re-calculated and may be higher or lower.

The member hub warns of a backlog of quotes. The Civil Superannuation annual account 2024 to 2025 says Capita took over live operational services from MyCSP on 1 December 2025, so use the contact details on the member hub rather than an old letter. General timings are in how long a pension transfer takes, and the generic steps in how to transfer a pension.

How is a civil service pension transfer value worked out?

A cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) is what can be taken elsewhere in place of the deferred pension. HM Treasury's guidance, which applies to all unfunded public service schemes, says a CETV "should be the amount required within the pension scheme to make provision for the accrued benefits, options and discretionary benefits which would otherwise be provided". Its main assumptions are a discount rate and how long benefits will be paid. The guidance as updated on 19 May 2026, which schemes were told to adopt with immediate effect, sets 2.000% a year net of benefit increases for benefits that rise under the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971; Treasury revises these rates, so a quote from before then may have used a different figure.

Your own figure depends on your section, accrued pension and age, and only the administrator's quote gives it. What a CETV means more generally is in pension transfer value explained. Once you hold a quote, an FCA-authorised adviser can help make sense of the figures, and the enquiry form here requests a free callback.

What a transfer out gives up

The alpha guide says that a transfer out removes all of your pension rights in alpha. Both regulators, the FCA and TPR, "believe it's in most people's best interests to keep their DB pension", and a transfer cannot be reversed. Survivor benefits are in civil service pension on death, and how the pension builds in how much civil service pension you get.

Given the restriction above, an offer to move a public sector pension into a SIPP deserves suspicion. See pension scams and the regulator's own guidance. Pension Wise offers free guidance.

Civil service pension transfer questions

Where do I get the civil service pension transfer out form?

The forms arrive with the transfer quotation, which goes to you or to the new provider depending on who asked for it.

Can I transfer while I am still a civil servant?

The member hub describes a transfer out as something you can request once you leave employment in the Civil Service, so check with the scheme before planning a move while still employed.

What happens to my CSAVCS savings?

They are outside the transfer value. A separate request goes to the CSAVCS provider.

Can I bring another pension into the civil service scheme?

That is the reverse question, with its own time limits, answered in transferring a pension into the civil service scheme.

How do I trace an old civil service pension?

Start with finding a lost civil service pension.

Other public sector members and where to go next

Teachers face the same rule, covered in can I transfer my Teachers' Pension. Thinking about a defined benefit to defined benefit move? The call-back form here connects you with an FCA-authorised adviser, free.

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