Your Retirement Options

It's what you have been saving for and looking forward to. Learn about when you can retire and the different options that are available to you. 

When can I take my pension?

There are some general rules which apply to all members taking their pension:

  • To qualify for a pension you must have been a member of the pension scheme for at least 2 years. Otherwise you will only receive a refund of your contributions when you leave/retire.
  • You can only choose to take your pension from age 55* and you must take your pension before your 75th birthday.
  • If you take your pension before your Normal Pension Age (NPA), your pension will be reduced for early payment. The only exception to this is Ill Health Retirement, members who qualify for full Rule of 85 protection and in some cases of redundancy and business efficiency.
  • You cannot cash in or withdraw your Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pension. If you are over 55* and wish to access some or all of your pension you would need to transfer it to another pension provider.

* Note that the UK Government has announced that the earliest age you can ordinarily take your pension will increase from age 55 to 57 from 6 April 2028. You may be protected from this increase if you joined the LGPS in Scotland before 4th November 2021, but we are still awaiting confirmation from the Scottish Government about how this protection will be applied.

What is Normal Pension Age?

Normal Pension Age is simply the age you can retire and receive your pension benefits in full, without any reductions. Normal Pension Age (NPA) differs depending on when you were paying in:

  • Before 1 April 2015: NPA = 65
  • On or After 1 April 2015: NPA = State Pension Age, with a minimum of 65. That means those who have a State Pension Age lower than 65, still have a NPA of 65 in the LGPS. As your Normal Pension Age is linked to your State Pension Age, if your State Pension Age increases so too will your Normal Pension Age. You can find out your State Pension Age at https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

You cannot take your pre and post April 2015 benefits separately. They must be taken at the same time.

  • Types of Retirement

    There are a number of options for retiring and taking your pension; from early to late, flexible, ill health or even in cases of redundancy.

    Find Out More

  • Rule of 85

    Many people wonder what Rule of 85 is, if they have it and how it affects their pension. Use our Rule of 85 Checker to see if you qualify.

    Find Out More

  • Early Retirement Reductions

    Choosing to take your pension before your Normal Pension Age means it will be reduced for early payment.

    Find Out More

Ready to Retire?

If you're ready to retire, find out the steps you need to take to get your pension and when you can expect to get your first payment.  

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How much will my pension be?

You can see how taking your pension at different ages and under different circumstances effects its value by logging into your My Pension+ account and using the pension calculators.

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