Closed petition Recognise Junior Service (16 - 18) in HM Armed Forces as Pensionable Service

We think two years of junior armed forces training (ages 16–18) should count as pensionable service. In many other jobs, work from age 16 is recognised from day one. We think the UK should value early military service equally—it directly impacts pension entitlements for servicemen and women.

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We think the UK government should recognise that military training from age 16–18 is as valid and demanding as any other form of work. These years should:

• Count toward armed forces pension schemes
• Be recognised retrospectively where possible
• Put service personnel on equal footing with their civilian peers

We think it’s not just an issue of pension contributions — it’s about respect, parity, and fairness for those who committed to service from a young age.

This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months

48 signatures

Progress of the petition towards its next target: 48 of 10,000 signatures required to get a government response

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10,000 signatures required to get a government response

Date closed 7 February 2026
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