When will my deferred benefits be paid?
If you left the Scheme on or after 1 April 2008 the following will apply to the payment of your benefits.
Your deferred benefits are normally payable from age 65, although they can be paid earlier, or later.
There are two ways they can be paid earlier:
- You can request early payment of your deferred benefits at anytime from age 55, but your former employer has the discretion to agree to your request or refuse it. Once you are aged 60 or over you do not need your former employer's consent. If you choose to take your deferred benefits before age 65, your benefits may be reduced to take account of their early payment and the fact that your pension will be paid for longer. How much your deferred benefits are reduced by depends on how early you take them. Your former employer can agree to waive any reduction on compassionate grounds. You can ask them what their policy on this is.
- You can request early payment of your deferred benefits on the grounds of permanent ill health. You can apply for payment on ill health grounds at any age, if, because of your health, you would be permanently incapable of the job you were working in when you left the LGPS. Deferred benefits paid on ill health grounds are not reduced.
You can opt to delay payment of deferred benefits till after your 65th birthday. If you take your deferred benefits after age 65 they will be paid at an increased rate. Deferred benefits must be paid before age 75.
If you left the Scheme before 1 April 2008 then the rules regarding payment of your deferred benefits are more complex. Please read the Leaving before Retirement before 01.04.08[pdf - 160kb]booklet for pre 1 April 2008 leavers for more information.
If you are living abroad, when your deferred benefits are due to be paid, you can have your pension paid directly to a bank outside of the UK. You can find more information on Payment of pension abroad.
