Blog
A deep-dive into a variety of pension topics to help you understand and learn more about your pension and the Scheme.
4/12/2025
Editorial
<p>This limit is known as ‘maximum membership’.<br></p><p>For most sections of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), members can contribute and build up benefits from the date they join the Scheme until the date they leave service or ‘opt out. <br></p><p>However, some employers have retained a maximum membership duration of 40 years. This includes:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="0" data-level="1">service across all RPS sections, and</li><li data-list="0" data-level="1">any service transferred into the Scheme<br></li></ul><p>So, let’s explore the rules around both scenarios:</p><p><br></p><h3>If your section has a 40-year maximum membership</h3><p>Once you reach 40 years of membership:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="2" data-level="1">Your RPS contributions will automatically stop</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You’ll still be considered an active member</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">Your pension will continue to increase in line with your Pensionable Pay</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You’ll remain eligible for death in service benefits</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You can continue making Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)</li></ul><p> </p><h3>If your section does not have a 40-year maximum membership</h3><p>If you’re a protected member, you’ll be given a choice before reaching 40 years:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="1" data-level="1">Continue contributing and building up benefits, or</li><li data-list="1" data-level="1">Stop contributing and retain the same benefits listed above<br></li></ul><p>If you’re a non-protected member, you’ll continue contributing and building up benefits until you leave the Scheme or claim your pension.<br></p><p> </p><p><strong>Not sure if your section has a maximum membership limit?</strong></p><p>Check your Member Guide for more information. You can find it in your <a href="/my-rps">myRPS account</a>.</p>
<p>This limit is known as ‘maximum membership’.<br></p><p>For most sections of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), members can contribute and build up benefits from the date they join the Scheme until the date they leave service or ‘opt out. <br></p><p>However, some employers have retained a maximum membership duration of 40 years. This includes:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="0" data-level="1">service across all RPS sections, and</li><li data-list="0" data-level="1">any service transferred into the Scheme<br></li></ul><p>So, let’s explore the rules around both scenarios:</p><p><br></p><h3>If your section has a 40-year maximum membership</h3><p>Once you reach 40 years of membership:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="2" data-level="1">Your RPS contributions will automatically stop</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You’ll still be considered an active member</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">Your pension will continue to increase in line with your Pensionable Pay</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You’ll remain eligible for death in service benefits</li><li data-list="2" data-level="1">You can continue making Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)</li></ul><p> </p><h3>If your section does not have a 40-year maximum membership</h3><p>If you’re a protected member, you’ll be given a choice before reaching 40 years:<br></p><ul type="disc"><li data-list="1" data-level="1">Continue contributing and building up benefits, or</li><li data-list="1" data-level="1">Stop contributing and retain the same benefits listed above<br></li></ul><p>If you’re a non-protected member, you’ll continue contributing and building up benefits until you leave the Scheme or claim your pension.<br></p><p> </p><p><strong>Not sure if your section has a maximum membership limit?</strong></p><p>Check your Member Guide for more information. You can find it in your <a href="/my-rps">myRPS account</a>.</p>
Blog
Maximum membership in the Railways Pension Scheme
There may be a limit on the number of years you can actively save for retirement with the Scheme.
This limit is known as ‘maximum membership’.
For most sections of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS), members can contribute and build up benefits from the date they join the Scheme until the date they leave service or ‘opt out.
However, some employers have retained a maximum membership duration of 40 years. This includes:
- service across all RPS sections, and
- any service transferred into the Scheme
So, let’s explore the rules around both scenarios:
If your section has a 40-year maximum membership
Once you reach 40 years of membership:
- Your RPS contributions will automatically stop
- You’ll still be considered an active member
- Your pension will continue to increase in line with your Pensionable Pay
- You’ll remain eligible for death in service benefits
- You can continue making Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
If your section does not have a 40-year maximum membership
If you’re a protected member, you’ll be given a choice before reaching 40 years:
- Continue contributing and building up benefits, or
- Stop contributing and retain the same benefits listed above
If you’re a non-protected member, you’ll continue contributing and building up benefits until you leave the Scheme or claim your pension.
Not sure if your section has a maximum membership limit?
Check your Member Guide for more information. You can find it in your myRPS account.
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