Civil Service Pension Scheme issues
My actions and next steps
I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are experiencing serious problems with the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS). Since December 2025, administration of the scheme has been handled by Capita under a contract awarded by the previous Government. Unfortunately, the transition has not been smooth.
I’ve heard from local civil servants (both current and retired) that they have faced unacceptable delays, with some unable to access their pensions at all. After decades of dedicated public service, everyone deserves a seamless and dignified transition into retirement. It is deeply troubling that this has not been the case.
I welcome the fact that both Capita and the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary have apologised for these failures. However, apologies alone are not enough. What matters now is meaningful action and swift improvement.
What’s being done nationally?
Earlier this year, a recovery plan was introduced by our government to address these problems. This includes:
A hardship fund offering interest-free loans to those affected by missed payments, with support of up to £5,000 - or £10,000 in exceptional cases
Over £7.2 million already distributed to more than 1,300 members in need of urgent assistance
Interest payments on delayed pension benefits, ensuring individuals do not suffer financial loss
The Cabinet Office is also working closely with Civil Service employers to make sure everyone eligible for support can access it, particularly those who are about to retire or who have retired within the last 12 months.
To tackle the backlog of cases, additional civil servants have been deployed to work alongside Capita staff. While this has led to some improvement, I am clear that progress must accelerate significantly.
Holding those responsible to account
Capita have been told that they need to restore services to the agreed contractual standard. In the meantime, I know how distressing and disruptive these delays have been. I am sorry for the unnecessary stress that this has caused you, and I promise I am keeping a close eye on matters.
Please be assured that my casework team will do all we can to support you, and I can assure you that I am raising your cases with the relevant Government departments to ensure they are resolved as quickly as possible. They can also support you to see if you are eligible for any of the compensation schemes mentioned above. In addition, this video by the Charity for Civil Servants is worth a watch.
If you or someone you know is affected by issues with the Civil Service Pension Scheme, please do get in touch. I will continue to press for urgent improvements and make sure your concerns are heard.
