When can I take my pension?

You can choose to retire and draw your pension from the LGPS at any time from age 55 to 75.

From 1 April 2014 your Normal Pension Age = State Pension Age

The Normal Pension Age in the LGPS is linked to your State Pension Age (but with a minimum of age 65). If the State Pension Age changes in the future then this change will also apply to your Normal Pension Age for benefits built up after 31 March 2014.

If you choose to take your pension before your Normal Pension Age it will normally be reduced, as it’s being paid earlier. How much your benefits are reduced by depends on how early you draw them. The amount your pension could be reduced by for retiring early is shown here.

If you take it later than your Normal Pension Age it’s increased because it’s being paid later. You must draw your benefits in the LGPS before your 75th birthday.

Your Normal Pension Age is simply the age when you can take your pension without it being reduced for early retirement or increased for late retirement.

How do I find out what my Normal Pension Age will be?

You can check your Normal Pension Age by checking your current State Pension Age at the following website: www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension

It’s important to know that changes to State Pension Age are possible in the future. That means that the date quoted now could change. If your State Pension Age increases in the future then your Normal Pension Age in the new scheme will also increase for the entire pension you build up from April 2014. Once you start drawing your pension any subsequent change to your State Pension Age will not affect your Normal Pension Age in the LGPS.

Your Normal Pension Age is simply the age when you can take your pension without it being reduced or increased.

What if I was paying into the LGPS before April 2014?

It’s important you know that all of your benefits built up in the scheme to 31 March 2014 are fully protected. If you built up membership in the LGPS before 1 April 2014 then you will have membership in the final salary scheme. These benefits have a different Normal Pension Age, which for most is age 65.

If you were a member of the LGPS on 30 September 2006, some or all of your benefits paid early could be protected from the reduction if you have ‘Rule of 85’ protection.

Please click the 'Paying into the LGPS before April 2014' tab on the left hand side.

What if I have to take my pension for another reason, such as redundancy or efficiency of the service?

If you are aged 55 or over you will be entitled to the immediate unreduced payment of your LGPS benefits, provided, you have met the 2 years vesting period in the scheme.

What happens if I retire early due to ill-health?

If you have to leave work due to illness you may be able to receive immediate payment of your benefits.

To qualify for ill health benefits you have to have met the 2 years vesting period in the scheme and your employer, based on an opinion from an independent occupational health physician appointed by them, must be satisfied that you will be permanently unable to do your own job until your Normal Pension Age and that you are not immediately capable of undertaking gainful employment.

Ill health benefits can be paid at any age and are not reduced on account of early payment – in fact, your benefits could be increased to make up for your early retirement if you are unlikely to be capable of gainful employment within 3 years of leaving.

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