Civil Service Alpha - when does EPA count from? 24 November at 12:45PM in Pensions, annuities & retirement planning 3 replies 147 views

fire_fire_fire

I'm struggling to get a straight answer out of MyCSP - so I thought I'd try you lovely people!

I've been paying in to Alpha for about 7 years now.  I'm about 20 years away from my State Pension Age. But I want to reitre early.

If I start doing a monthly payment for EPA  - does that only apply to my future contributions? Or does it include everything I've built up so far?

If It does include previous contributions. Does that mean I can buy lots of added pension now, and then switch to EPA-3 a year before I plan to retire? That seems to-good=to-be-true.

The other posts on the forum have been really informative about the difference between EPA and Added Pension - but I couldn't see this one answered.

Thanks. Sorry if it is a basic question.

Marcon

fire_fire_fire said:

I'm struggling to get a straight answer out of MyCSP - so I thought I'd try you lovely people!

I've been paying in to Alpha for about 7 years now.  I'm about 20 years away from my State Pension Age. But I want to reitre early.

If I start doing a monthly payment for EPA  - does that only apply to my future contributions? Or does it include everything I've built up so far?

If It does include previous contributions. Does that mean I can buy lots of added pension now, and then switch to EPA-3 a year before I plan to retire? That seems to-good=to-be-true.

The other posts on the forum have been really informative about the difference between EPA and Added Pension - but I couldn't see this one answered.

Thanks. Sorry if it is a basic question.

I think it has been answered, and happily quite recently. Have a look at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79640864#Comment_79640864

michaels

Only applies to contributions made when you are paying EPA

fire_fire_fire

Cheers both!!