Local government

For most people, the retirement process will take at least two months. So, if you want to avoid any unnecessary delays, it pays to plan ahead. The information on this page will help you get started.

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Are you ready to retire?

As a member of a local government pension scheme (LGPS), you may be able to start taking your pension from the age of 55. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to understand the rules and the application process.

Are you ready to retire?

As a member of a local government pension scheme (LGPS), you may be able to start taking your pension from the age of 55. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to understand the rules and the application process.

What is Normal Pension Age (NPA)?

The date your benefits can be paid without reductions is called your Normal Pension Age (NPA). This date will be different depending on when you stopped paying in to your scheme. If you stopped paying in after 1 April 2014, it will be the same as your state pension age, but if you stopped paying in before this it is age 65.

Once you’ve completed your scheme vesting period (two years), you can retire and take your pension at any time between the ages of 55 and 75. Just be aware that the value of your benefits will vary depending on when you retire. Plus, there are exceptions for things like redundancy and ill health retirement, so it’s worth checking your pension scheme guide before making your final decision.

Early retirement

Learn more

Late retirement

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Flexible retirement

Learn more

Ill health retirement

Learn more

Redundancy retirement

Learn more

What are my options?

Depending on when you joined the scheme, your pension benefits may include one or more of the elements below:

  1. Before April 2008: final salary scheme benefits plus an automatic tax-free lump sum
  2. Before 1 April 2014final salary scheme benefits plus an optional tax-free lump sum
  3. After 1 April 2014: CARE scheme benefits  plus an optional tax-free lump sum

Get an up-to-date estimate of your pension benefits by logging in to PensionPoint (your secure online portal) and visiting the online calculator page. 

Full details on how your benefits are calculated are also available in the LGPS scheme guide, which is available to download on our Forms, documents and scheme information page.

How are my benefits calculated?

Your Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) benefits are worked out based on your pay, membership type and contributions since joining the scheme. The benefits are also adjusted annually to bring them in line with inflation.  

How do I retire?

Follow the steps below to find out how you can retire.

Frequently asked questions

For more information on planning your retirement and your pension finances, visit the LPPA HelpHub

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