More than 2 years membership
You have built up valuable LGPS benefits that form an important part of your savings for retirement if:
- you have been a member of the LGPS for at least 2 years, or
- you have transferred pension rights into the LGPS, or
- you have other LGPS pension rights.
Under age 55 when you resign
On leaving before retirement you have 2 options:-
- you can choose to keep your benefits in the LGPS. These are known as deferred benefits and will increase every year in line with the cost of living. View information about deferred benefits
- alternatively, you may be able to transfer your deferred benefits to a new pension arrangement. View information about transferring out.
Over age 55 when you resign
You can choose to take immediate payment of your pension benefits although they may be reduced for being paid early. Find further information about early retirement.
You cannot continue to pay into the scheme after you have left employment unless it is with another employer who offers LGPS membership.
Less than 2 years membership
Joined the LGPS after 31 March 2014
You do not qualify for deferred benefits unless you have transferred in any pension rights or have any other LGPS pension rights (including separate current pension accounts, deferred benefits or pensions in payment).
You have 3 options:-
- you can claim a refund of your contributions, less a deduction for tax and the cost, if any, of buying you back into the State Second Pension (S2P). Interest is paid if the refund is not made within 1 year of leaving but no refund can be made if you rejoin the scheme within a month and a day of leaving or rejoin before the refund has been paid. View information about the refund process
- you may be able to transfer your benefits to a new pension arrangement
- you can delay your decision until you either rejoin the LGPS, join a new pension scheme, or want to take a refund of contributions.
View information about how a refund is calculated
Joined the LGPS before 1 April 2014
If you have been a member for more than 3 months, you will be entitled to either a refund or deferred benefit depending on certain factors. We will write to you to let you know your entitlement and options.