As part of the pension reforms announced by the government in 2003, the normal minimum pension age will rise from 50 to 55 from 6 April 2010. After that date, people will normally only be allowed to start receiving their pension payments from an occupational or a personal pension scheme when they are 55 or older.
While 55 will become the norm, there are exceptions in the case of severe ill health problems or where pension tax law preserves the right to start drawing pensions at a lower age.
Further information on the changes can be accessed here