Retirement Options & Benefits Available | Nottinghamshire Pension Fund

Retirement Options available

Retirement Benefits available

Retirement Options Available

When can I retire?

You can retire and receive your Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) benefits in full from age 65. The scheme also makes provisions for the early payment of your LGPS benefits. To find out more please see the Councillor Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Can I retire early?

If you have at least three months total membership you can, upon retirement from your office on or after age 55, elect in writing to your council to receive your LGPS benefits. Between and including the ages of 50 and 54 you may also elect to receive your LGPS benefits, but only if your council gives their consent.

Will my pension and lump sum be reduced if I choose to retire early?

If you join the LGPS after 30 September 2006 and retire before age 65, your pension and lump sum will be reduced. The reduction is calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary. If you were contributing to the scheme on 30th September 2006 some or all of your benefits paid early could be protected from the reduction. To find out more please see the Councillor Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

What happens if I have to retire due to ill health?

If you have at least three months total membership or have brought a transfer value into the LGPS and an administering authority approved independent registered medical practitioner certifies that you have become permanently unable until your 65th birthday to perform the duties of your office efficiently because of ill health or infirmity of mind or body, you will receive your pension and lump sum immediately.

The medical practitioner must be qualified in occupational health medicine and must not have previously been involved in your case.

What happens if I carry on working after age 65?

If you carry on in office after age 65 you will continue to pay into the scheme, accruing further benefits. You can receive your pension when:

you retire, or
you reach the eve of your 75th birthday,

which ever occurs first.

If you draw your pension after age 65, the pension you accrued prior to age 65 will be increased to reflect the fact that it will be paid for a shorter time.

Your pension has to be paid before your 75th birthday.

Retirement Benefits Available

What will my retirement benefits be?

When you retire, you will receive a pension and a tax free lump sum from the LGPS. At state pension age you will also receive the basic flat rate state pension if you have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions during your working life. More details regarding your state pension can be found on the Government website.

How much will my pension be?

Your pension is based on your total membership and your career average pay.

How much will my lump sum be?

The lump sum automatically paid on retirement is three times your annual pension and is tax free. Like your pension, it is based on your career average pay and your total membership.

For further information on how your pension and lump sum will be calculated, please see the Councillor Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Can I give up some of my pension to increase my lump sum?

If you draw your benefits on or after 6 April 2006, you will be able to exchange some of your pension to receive a larger tax-free lump sum.

When you take your benefits, you will be able to exchange some of your pension to receive a bigger lump sum. The lump sum will be paid tax-free to most members, but there is a limit on how much tax-free cash you can take from UK pension schemes. The limit is called the lump sum allowance and is generally £268,275. It may be higher if you hold protection from lifetime allowance tax charges. If you exceed the limit, you would pay tax on the excess at your marginal tax rate.

To find out more please see the Councillor Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme.