What scheme you are in will depend on when you joined.
Since April 2012:
- BAE Systems Retirement Savings Plan
- MBDA Retirement Savings Plan
- RBSL Retirement Savings Plan
Between April 2003 and March 2012:
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Level 100+
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Level 100+ (Aircrew)
Before April 2003 (or if you were in a scheme provided by your previous employer which has become part of BAE Systems):
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Main Edition (Level 125, 167, 187 or 200)
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Main Edition (Aircrew)
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – 2000 Plan
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Alvis
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – SIPS
- BAE Systems Pension Scheme – Passport
- Royal Ordnance Pension Scheme
If you're a BAE Systems employee and unsure which scheme are you in, you can check on SuccessFactors (under 'Compensation Information') or via FLEX.
Different terms apply to the various BAE Systems pension arrangements. Details about the amount of contributions you pay can be found in your Member Booklet.
Details of how you can start paying regular monthly AVCs or pay a one-off lump sum AVC can be found in the Paying Additional Voluntary Contributions pension guide.
If you are a member of one of the sections of the BAE Systems Pension Scheme listed below, you have the option to change your pension level once a year, effective from April.
- Level 125, 167, 187 or 200
- Alvis
- SIPS VSEL
- SIPS Portsmouth
Each year a news item will be added to the Pension news page of this website to confirm the window to request to change your level is open. This will also include the form you will need to complete. This is usually published in early December, and the deadline for returning your completed form is usually in early February.
More information about the respective levels for each section, can be found in your Member Booklet.
If you are a member of a BAE Systems defined contribution scheme you should contact Scottish Widows.
If you are a member of a BAE Systems defined benefit scheme you should contact Aptia.
You can find their details on the Contact Us page.
Please refer to the Working part time pension guide.
For more information you can contact your scheme administrator. You can find their details on the Contact Us page.
You can usually retire at any time after age 55. The government is due to increase the minimum pension age from 55 to 57 from April 2028.
In some instances you may be able to start receiving your pension before age 55. For more information please refer to your Member Booklet.
Members in the Mercer Master Trust arrangement should access their individual Mercer Money account where you can create illustrations of the savings.
For defined benefit members you can run instant retirement quotations via Aptia's online member portal OneView to give you an idea of your respective figures at your selected retirement date. If you are unable to run a quote via OneView please let Aptia know by submitting a request via Contact Aptia Pensions (go to 'Raise a Request' then 'Retirement').
For help with accessing Mercer Money please call Scottish Widows on 0800 015 2038 or email workplacesavings@scottishwidows.co.uk
For help with accessing OneView please call Aptia on +44 (0) 3308 187 282 or go to Contact Aptia Pensions and select 'Raise a request' then 'OneView Access Query'.
Your pension will remain in the scheme until you retire unless you decide to transfer it to another pension scheme.
A Nomination of Beneficiaries form is an important part of the decision making process when the Trustee is considering the distribution of benefits in the event of your death.
If you are a member of the Mercer Master Trust arrangement please log into Mercer Money to update your Nomination of Beneficiaries.
For defined benefit scheme members please log into OneView to update your Nomination of Beneficiaries. Please be aware that if you are a defined benefit scheme member with defined contribution savings in the Mercer Master Trust you must complete a separate Nomination of Beneficiaries form for this pension arrangement via Mercer Money.
Any change to a home address by an active member must be updated via SuccessFactors (or your HR platform for any other participating employer other than BAE Systems) rather than by going direct to the pension scheme administrator. Payroll will notify your pension scheme administrator of any change of address via the monthly interface they issue.
Deferred members of the Mercer Master Trust arrangement should contact Scottish Widows.
Deferred and pensioner members of any of the defined benefit pension schemes should notify Aptia. You can do this online via OneView or my going to Contact Aptia Pensions and selecting 'Raise a Request' then 'Change your details'.
Target have been appointed by the Trustees of the defined benefit pension schemes to carry out tracing activities for all members.
It is important that the Trustees of the schemes perform regular tracing activities, this is to verify continued existence and to ensure up-to-date address details are held.
You can update your bank details by calling Aptia on +44 (0) 3308 187 282 or you can do this online via OneView.
All pension payments will be shown on OneView which you can access at any time. If you want to receive a posted copy of your annual P60 monthly payslips you need to let Aptia know that you want to opt-out of digital communications. Please note that even if you ask for payslips to be posted, these will only be issued if your net pay changes by more than £10 from the previous month.
When a member dies the next of kin, legal representatives or HR representative (in the case of active members) should notify the scheme administrator as soon as possible. In the case of pensioners it is important that their pension payments are stopped, and for all members any death benefits can be processed quickly. You can find the scheme administrator contact details by going to the Contact Us page.
In the case of defined benefit scheme members this can be one online via Contact Aptia Pensions.
If you are thinking of opting out of the scheme and you are a BAE Systems employee in the BAE Systems Retirement Savings Plan you will need to submit a request via the BAE Systems Employee Service Centre (ESC) portal (search ‘Opt Out’).
If you are a member of one of the defined benefit schemes you should contact Aptia. You can find their details on the Contact Us page.
Pension rights are often taken into account as assets following a divorce settlement or dissolution of a civil partnership. If you or your spouse commences divorce proceedings you will need to obtain a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) of your benefits as your solicitor will require this.
You can request a CETV from the administrator of the scheme. You can find their contact details by going to the Contact Us page. The Trustees must comply with any Pension Sharing Order made by the court in divorce or dissolution proceedings. If an order is applied this will reduce your benefits in the scheme.
More information, including the administration charges that apply, is available from your scheme administrator.
You can request a copy of the rules of your scheme from your scheme administrator. You can find their details on the Contact Us page.