Capita Confirms Data Breach in Civil Service Pension Scheme
Capita has confirmed a data breach affecting members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. This incident occurred on the scheme’s portal, where some members received personal data that belonged to others.
Details of the Data Breach
According to Capita, a total of 138 members were impacted. These individuals either received Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) data mistakenly or had their personal information viewed by others.
- Incident Date: Last week
- Number of Members Affected: 138
- Fix Timeline: Members will be contacted by 9 AM on 3 April 2026
Response from Capita
In response to the breach, Capita suspended ABS functionality on the portal immediately after identifying the issue. They are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
Capita reassured members that those who do not receive communications about their data were not affected. The firm stated, “We sincerely apologise for this issue and any concerns you may have. We take the protection of members’ personal data extremely seriously.”
Government and Union Reactions
A spokesperson from the Cabinet Office acknowledged the incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach. They confirmed ongoing cooperation with Capita to clarify the situation and implement necessary measures.
Fran Heathcote, General Secretary of the PCS union, expressed concern over the impact on members’ trust. She stated, “This is yet another hammer blow to members’ confidence in the administration of their pensions.”
Context of the Breach
This incident arises during a challenging period for the 1.7 million-member Civil Service Pension Scheme. Recent administrative changes, transitioning from MyCSP to Capita, have resulted in numerous issues. Many retired civil servants are currently facing delays in payment, with a backlog exceeding 80,000 cases.
Capita has committed to restoring normal service levels by the end of June. Chris Clements, Managing Director of Capita Pension Solutions, noted that members will soon benefit from a “smoother, more intuitive service” through an updated portal and a new mobile application, allowing easier access to their pension information.
