In addition to your LGPS benefits, you may also qualify for a state retirement pension paid by the government from State Pension age.

A single tier, flat rate State Pension has been introduced for people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.  It replaces the basic and additional State Pension that is payable to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.  You will be able to claim the State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you are:

  • a man born on or after 6 April 1951
  • a woman born on or after 6 April 1953
  • and, normally, have at least 10 years qualifying years on your National Insurance record

Find out your State Pension age

If you do not know what your State Pension age the government provide an online tool to check your State Pension age

As a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) you were previously ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension and therefore received a rebate on your National Insurance (NI) contributions. From 6 April 2016 this rebate ceased and the LGPS is longer ‘contracted out’.

You should be aware that, as a member of the LGPS, if you are eligible for the State Pension you might not receive the full amount. This is because as a member of the LGPS you are likely to have paid a lower amount of National Insurance in previous years.

The Money Helper website has information on the options available to individuals looking to top up their state pension.

State Pension age

This is the earliest age you can receive the basic state pension. State Pension age for women was increased between 2010 and December 2018 to be equalised with the State Pension age of 65 that applied to men up to December 2018. 

State Pension age equalisation timetable for women

Date of BirthNew State Pension age
Before 6 April 195060
6 April 1950 - 5 April 1951In the range 60 - 61
6 April 1951 - 5 April 1952In the range 61 - 62
6 April 1952 - 5 April 1953In the range 62 - 63
6 April 1953 - 5 August 1953In the range 63 - 64
6 August 1953 - 5 December 1953In the range 64 - 65

The State Pension age increased to 66 for both men and women between December 2018 and October 2020.

Increase in State Pension age from 65 to 66 for men and women

Date of BirthNew State Pension age
6 December 1953 - 5 October 1954In the range 65 - 66
After 5 October 195466

Under current legislation, the State Pension age is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, the Government has announced plans to bring forward the rise to 68 to between 2037 and 2039.

Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE)

As part of the changes to the State Pension introduced in April 2016 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced a term called Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE).

COPE is an estimated amount for those who were previously ‘contracted-out’ of the additional State Pension to see how National Insurance (NI) contributions paid before 6 April 2016 will contribute to their overall pension income.

More information can be found on our Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE) page.