Can I Claim my Army Pension Early?

There are a few different ways the army actually pay your pension and, depending on which category you fall into will depend on when you can actually claim your pension early or before the army’s retirement age, which stands at 55. The Full Career Pension can only be claimed if you’ve had either 34 years of service for officers or 37 years for other ranks and have served up to the army’s retirement age.  This cannot be claimed early. An Immediate Pension, however, is available for army personnel that have a minimum of 16 years service from the age of 21 for officers or 22 years from the age of 18 for other ranks. You’ll receive an annual Early Departures pension that is fixed until the age of 55 when it is indexed link to ensure that it is in line with the cost of living. You’re also likely to be able to receive a one off grant of three times your annual pension. If you leave the army before becoming eligible for the Immediate Pension you can claim the preserved pension, which you’ll not be able to claim until you’re 65 or you can transfer the policy to a different plan. The other exception where you may be able to claim your army pension early is if you become permanently unable to work due to an illness or disability, in which case you could receive your annual pension and lump sum early.