When can my deferred LGPS benefits be paid?

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 choose to voluntarily take your deferred benefits early

If you choose to take your benefits before age 65, they may be reduced to take account of their early payment and the fact that your pension will be paid for longer. The amount of any reduction depends on how early you draw your benefits.

Your previous employer can agree not to make any reduction on compassionate grounds. You can ask them what their policy on this is.

Your deferred benefits can be paid early because of ill health if you are permanently incapable of doing your old job. This can be at any age and your benefits would not be reduced for early payment. You should contact your previous employer if you feel this applies to you, and they will arrange a medical for you.

To qualify, an independent specially qualified doctor appointed by your previous employer must be satisfied that you will be permanently unable to do your old job until you reach age 65 and that you will have a reduced likelihood of being able to obtain gainful employment.

You may choose to delay taking your deferred benefits when you reach your normal retirement age and they will be increased for late payment each day that you put-off taking them, but you must start taking payment of them no later than the day before your 75th birthday. When your deferred benefits are due to be paid we will write to tell you more about your options to defer taking payment until a later date.