A method and apparatus are provided for improving the efficiency in charge pump systems for low power applications. This first embodiment provides a method and apparatus which defines a charge pump output voltage high target which turns off a charge pump enable signal and a charge pump outlet voltage low target which turns on a charge pump enable signal. A second embodiment defines a protection time where the charge pumping continues until a predefined phase is completed and the leakage paths are disabled. A third embodiment defines a phase memory block, which continues or remembers the phase until the next request for charge pumping. This prevents the circuitry from entering a window where charge leakage, which diminishes charge pumping efficiency, could occur.