If you’ve left the Scheme and haven’t yet retired, you’re a ‘deferred’ member. Neither you nor the Company will still be contributing to your Uniper pension. 

Each April, you receive an increase to your benefits in line with inflation. This is based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) figure for the previous September, although limits apply.

Claiming your benefits
You can apply to start taking your Uniper benefits when you reach your normal retirement age, which is 63 for members of the ESPS categories of the Scheme or 65 for members of the Retirement Balance (RB) Plan.
 
If you’re approaching your normal retirement age, you can contact the pension administrator, Railpen, to learn more about the options available to you when you retire.
 
You can apply to take your benefits before you reach normal retirement age. However, your benefits may be reduced if you take them early.

 
Transfers and pension scams
Fraudsters may try to lure you into an illegal pension transfer – and if they succeed, you could lose all of your pension savings, and be taxed as well! 

Beware of:

• Promises of early access to your pension (before age 55)
• 'Guaranteed' returns on investments
• Offers of free pension reviews and health checks
• Talk of pension loans or upfront cash
• Advice to transfer your pension savings into small occupational schemes to avoid scrutiny from regulators

You can learn more about pension fraud and red flags to watch out for on the Pension scams page.

If you do wish to transfer your Uniper pension to another pension arrangement, you will need to contact the pension administrator, Railpen, and request a transfer value. 


Choosing your beneficiaries
If you die before you claim your Scheme benefits, a lump sum could be paid to your beneficiaries.
 
You can tell the Trustee who you’d like your beneficiaries to be by completing an Expression of Wish form, which is available in the ESPS forms section.

To change your beneficiaries, simply submit a new form. This will override any previous forms.

Ill health
Being unable to work due to ill health can be worrying, so ill-health retirement may be one way to help ease the financial burden.
 
If you meet the criteria, you may be able to claim your Scheme pension and cash lump sum early, with no reductions for early payment.
 
Contact the pension administrator, Railpen, for more details.