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For Councillors: Retiring and estimates

Considering retirement? Know your options

If you are thinking of taking your benefits, we strongly recommend that you obtain figures from us before you make a final decision.

It is worth remembering that if you draw your benefits before your normal retirement age, the benefits will be reduced, sometimes significantly if they are taken particularly early.

For more details on how to get an estimate and take your benefits, simply click on the box below that best matches your situation:

If your elected role is coming to an end and you wish to check your pension figures before you deciding to take your pension, you can request an estimate by contacting us.

Note 1: It can take us up to 20 working days to provide figures under this option.

Note 2: We will only provide members with one estimate in any 12 month period. 

If your elected role is coming to an end and you wish to check your pension figures before you deciding to take your pension, you can request an estimate by contacting us.

Note 1: It can take us up to 20 working days to provide figures under this option.

Note 2: We will only provide members with one estimate in any 12 month period. 

Your LGPS pension is due in full from your State Pension Age. 

You can visit the Government website to find out your State Pension Age .

If you leave your role (cease to hold office), you can take your benefits from any time between age 55* and 75. However, it is important to note that your benefits will be reduced if you take them early as you will be receiving them for longer. See the drop down down below called 'Early Retirement Reduction Factors' for the percentage decreases. Conversely, if you take them late, the benefits will be enhanced.

*Note: From 6 April 2028, the earliest age which you can take your benefits will be increasing from age 55 to age 57. This will not apply to ill health retirements.

Your LGPS pension is due in full from your State Pension Age. 

You can visit the Government website to find out your State Pension Age .

If you leave your role (cease to hold office), you can take your benefits from any time between age 55* and 75. However, it is important to note that your benefits will be reduced if you take them early as you will be receiving them for longer. See the drop down down below called 'Early Retirement Reduction Factors' for the percentage decreases. Conversely, if you take them late, the benefits will be enhanced.

*Note: From 6 April 2028, the earliest age which you can take your benefits will be increasing from age 55 to age 57. This will not apply to ill health retirements.

If your elected role ends on the grounds of ill health, you may be able to receive immediate payment of your pension benefits.

To receive pension benefits this way the following must apply:

  • You have 2 years or more of continuous LGPS service.
  • Your authority, upon the advice of an independent medical practitioner, deems that you meet the criteria for one of three tiers below.

 

Levels of ill-health retirement

  • Tier 1 - if you are assessed as being unlikely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* in your lifetime, benefits can be paid in full, as if you worked to your Normal Pension Age.
  • Tier 2 - if you are assessed as being unlikely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* within 3 years of leaving, but are likely to be capable of undertaking such employment before your Normal Pension Age, ill health benefits are based on the pension you have already built up in your pension account at your date of leaving the scheme plus 25% of the pension you would have built up.
  • Tier 3 - if you are assessed as being likely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* within 3 years of leaving, or before your Normal Pension Age if earlier, ill health benefits are based on the pension you have already built up in your pension account at leaving. Payment of these benefits will be stopped after 3 years, or earlier if you are in gainful employment or become capable of such employment, provided you have not reached your Normal Pension Age by then. 

*Gainful employment means paid employment for not less than 30 hours in each week for a period of not less than 12 months. It is assessed on capability grounds rather than on a basis of an individual's skills or the economic conditions.

 

How do I receive these benefits?

Ill health retirement is an authority-driven process. The Fund acts on the instruction of the authority and therefore you need to speak with them to see if an assessment should be arranged.

If your authority determines that you qualify they will send the necessary information for us to be able to calculate your pension entitlement and then write to you. Once we have received all necessary information back from you, we will put the pension into payment. Further detail concerning our timeframes and amounts due will be communicated with you at this point in time.

If your elected role ends on the grounds of ill health, you may be able to receive immediate payment of your pension benefits.

To receive pension benefits this way the following must apply:

  • You have 2 years or more of continuous LGPS service.
  • Your authority, upon the advice of an independent medical practitioner, deems that you meet the criteria for one of three tiers below.

 

Levels of ill-health retirement

  • Tier 1 - if you are assessed as being unlikely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* in your lifetime, benefits can be paid in full, as if you worked to your Normal Pension Age.
  • Tier 2 - if you are assessed as being unlikely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* within 3 years of leaving, but are likely to be capable of undertaking such employment before your Normal Pension Age, ill health benefits are based on the pension you have already built up in your pension account at your date of leaving the scheme plus 25% of the pension you would have built up.
  • Tier 3 - if you are assessed as being likely to be capable of obtaining gainful employment* within 3 years of leaving, or before your Normal Pension Age if earlier, ill health benefits are based on the pension you have already built up in your pension account at leaving. Payment of these benefits will be stopped after 3 years, or earlier if you are in gainful employment or become capable of such employment, provided you have not reached your Normal Pension Age by then. 

*Gainful employment means paid employment for not less than 30 hours in each week for a period of not less than 12 months. It is assessed on capability grounds rather than on a basis of an individual's skills or the economic conditions.

 

How do I receive these benefits?

Ill health retirement is an authority-driven process. The Fund acts on the instruction of the authority and therefore you need to speak with them to see if an assessment should be arranged.

If your authority determines that you qualify they will send the necessary information for us to be able to calculate your pension entitlement and then write to you. Once we have received all necessary information back from you, we will put the pension into payment. Further detail concerning our timeframes and amounts due will be communicated with you at this point in time.

If you left your pension some time ago and your are now reaching retirement age, you will be able to take your pension from deferred status.

To qualify, you need to be at least age 55 (age 57 from 6 April 2028, unless you are protected) and to have left the role within which you built up the pension (i.e. you haven't just opted out). 

If you want to receive an estimate of benefits or a quote, please contact us.

We will write to all members, where we hold an up to date address, shortly before their normal pension age to offer them their pension.

If you left your pension some time ago and your are now reaching retirement age, you will be able to take your pension from deferred status.

To qualify, you need to be at least age 55 (age 57 from 6 April 2028, unless you are protected) and to have left the role within which you built up the pension (i.e. you haven't just opted out). 

If you want to receive an estimate of benefits or a quote, please contact us.

We will write to all members, where we hold an up to date address, shortly before their normal pension age to offer them their pension.

If you choose to voluntarily take your benefits before your Normal Pension Age, these benefits will normally be reduced. Your benefits will first be calculated as usual and then reduced by the percentage stated in the table below. 

The reduction is based on the period between the date your benefits are paid and your normal pension age. The earlier you take your pension, the bigger the reduction.

The current reduction factors are outlined below:

Number of years before Normal Pension Age  Pension reduction   Lump sum reduction
(for membership to 31 March 2008)
0 0% 0%
1 4.9% 1.7%
2 9.3% 3.3%
3 13.5% 4.9%
4 17.4% 6.5%
5 20.9% 8.1%
6 24.3% 9.6%
7 27.4% 11.1%
8 30.3% 12.6%
9 33.0% 14.1%
10 35.6% 15.5%
11 39.5% N/A
12 41.8% N/A
13 43.9% N/A

Note: Reductions do not apply in the case of ill health retirements.

If you choose to voluntarily take your benefits before your Normal Pension Age, these benefits will normally be reduced. Your benefits will first be calculated as usual and then reduced by the percentage stated in the table below. 

The reduction is based on the period between the date your benefits are paid and your normal pension age. The earlier you take your pension, the bigger the reduction.

The current reduction factors are outlined below:

Number of years before Normal Pension Age  Pension reduction   Lump sum reduction
(for membership to 31 March 2008)
0 0% 0%
1 4.9% 1.7%
2 9.3% 3.3%
3 13.5% 4.9%
4 17.4% 6.5%
5 20.9% 8.1%
6 24.3% 9.6%
7 27.4% 11.1%
8 30.3% 12.6%
9 33.0% 14.1%
10 35.6% 15.5%
11 39.5% N/A
12 41.8% N/A
13 43.9% N/A

Note: Reductions do not apply in the case of ill health retirements.