We write to you when you reach your payable date for your deferred benefits. We send an estimate of your pension benefits and a retirement declaration form to you.
If you want to take your benefits, complete the retirement declaration form and return it to us. If the form is completed correctly, benefits are paid within 20 working days from receipt, or the payable date if later. There may be a delay if you paid Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
You may be able to defer payment of your deferred benefits. You must take them by age 75.
Your payable date and whether you can defer payment depends on when you stopped paying into the scheme:
The normal pension age for the LGPS is your State Pension age (SPa), but is at least age 65. Find out your SPa at GOV.UK
We write to you approximately 2 months before your normal pension age with details of your benefits. You decide if you want to take your benefits now or later.
If you do not want to take your deferred benefits at their payable date you do not have to. Your benefits remain deferred until you wish to take them, and may increase for being paid later. You must take them before age 75.
If you want to take your benefits later, take no action. If you do not reply, we assume you wish to delay payment.
You can take your deferred benefits from age 55 and before your normal pension age but they may be reduced because they are being paid earlier.
The normal pension age for the LGPS is age 65. You can take your deferred benefits from age 55 but they will be reduced because they are being paid early. The date your deferred benefits are paid in full is shown on your annual statement.
If you stopped paying into the LGPS before 1 April 1998, there is a specific date when you must take your benefits. We write to you approximately 2 months before your benefits are due for payment. You cannot defer payment.
If you stopped paying into the LGPS after 1 April 1998, we write to you approximately 2 months before your normal pension age with details of your benefits.
If you do not want to take your deferred benefits at their payable date you do not have to. Your benefits remain deferred until you wish to take them, and may increase for being paid later. You must take them before age 75.
If you want to take your benefits later, take no action. If you do not reply, we assume you wish to delay payment.
Pension payment
Find out pension payment information including payment dates and payslips.
Taking your pension before the payable date
You may be able to take your benefits from age 55 and before their payable date, but they are reduced for early payment. Find out about early payment from age 55
Register or log in to member self service to use the projector to calculate taking your deferred benefits at different dates from age 55. The projector is for illustration purposes only.
Pre retirement course
We provide a free pre retirement course for those who have paid into the LGPS and are within 18 months of taking their pension. Find out about the pre retirement course