New Capita-run Civil Service Pension Scheme - problems (what a surprise!)

daisy_1571

Mr d came through with just bald figures and written in a confusing way I felt. I had already worked out roughly the difference between the alpha he had received and what that service as classic would be and it was close but I still felt, like you, there would be some sort of calculation shown

daisy_1571

omg omg omg omg 😲

Phoned 11:46 was second in queue, got through at 12. Very helpful operator but upshot is my 3rd request for alpha (confirmed as received at mycsp in October 25) has possibly not transitioned through, she couldn't confirm one way or other so I have to complete a 4th set of paperwork and either portal or post it to them.

All this to hopefully either get some alpha or possibly trigger the immediate choice paperwork. She couldn't tell me which it would do.

I'm hoping its the iss as it will be a small annual amount but a back payment of more than 10 years which will be very welcome in the current climate, but I'll take the alpha in the meantime if that's all that's offered.

DDxx

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jamesh8

FYI, pension activity is now showing in my HMRC account ahead of the first monthly payment on Friday. I mention it because they confirmed my annual pension income, and the figure definitely includes the April 2026 inflation increase, so Capita are including that 👍 The figure is also correct.

hugheskevi

Annual Benefit Statements will start to be issued from Monday, and will be uploaded to the member portal throughout August.

No distribution schedule is available, so they could arrive at any time.

Given the current circumstances, it would be prudent to download and check very carefully when (if?) they arrive.

JamesCoster

Thanks @hugheskevi, presumably the ABSs are for those still in the service, not for those like myself still awaiting (after eight months) a quote on our deferred classic and Alpha pensions.

Yorkie1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82086369#Comment_82086369

It says on the link from @hugheskevi that:

Eligibility criteria 

• To receive an ABS, a member must: be an active member or active pensioner of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) when the statement is produced; and 
  have been an active member or active pensioner of the CSPS on 31 March 2026. 
• In addition, you [the employer] must have provided the Scheme Administrator with complete pensionable earnings data for alpha members for the 2025/26 scheme year. 

jamesh8

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82085025#Comment_82085025

FYI, I phoned HMRC today, and they confirmed what I thought that I have been treated as a higher rate taxpayer, because of the large arrears received. She corrected things on the system while I was on the phone, and I will be refunded the tax overpayment with my next monthly payment on 1 September. Really easy to do, no evidence needed to be provided.

hugheskevi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82087171#Comment_82087171

It is worth expanding slightly on this for those who might be in a similar but slightly different position.

The first pension payment will be made with a non-cumulative tax code. After that, a cumulative tax code should be supplied by HMRC and applied in future months. That looks to be what has happened here. For the remainder of the tax year PAYE will be applied in the usual way to payments.

If the arrears only relate to payments that should have been made in the current tax year everything will work itself out by the end of the tax year.

If the arrears relate to a past tax year, but would have been taxed at the same rate, ie, if paid last year they would have been taxed at 20%, and they are taxed at 20% in 26/27, then everything will work itself out by the end of the tax year.

However, if the arrears relate to a past tax year and now will be taxed at a higher rate, eg, if paid last year would have been taxed at 20% but as they are paid in 26/27 push you into higher rate and so are taxed at 40%, then a different process that requires evidence will be required. The scheme supplies details of the amount that should have been paid in each year, the member sends that to HMRC, and HMRC adjusts the tax obligation accordingly.

Watching_The_Wheels

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82064855#Comment_82064855

It would seem I temped fate and out of the blue had a stoke. Anyway, back home and ok for now.

I still have to face chasing final pension resolution but that’s not a priority or something I can face for a while.

xylophone

not a priority or something I can face for a while.

Unsurprising in the circumstances! I should have thought that avoiding any stress that would raise your blood pressure ( like dealing with Capita?) would be your first priority.