From 6 April 2028 the NMPA is increasing the minimum age members can take their pension from age 55 to age 57. This does not apply if you have to take your pension early due to ill health. This will apply to all new members from 4 November 2021.
Protection for members in the scheme before 4 November 2021 could be introduced and we are waiting for an update from the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) as to whether such a protection will be introduced. You could also be protected if you transferred a previous pension into the LGPS if certain conditions are met. However, you will only be able to use this protection when you take your LGPS pension if the LGPS rules allow you to take your pension before age 57. This could mean those members retain the right to retire from age 55.
The UK Government [Scottish Government] makes the LGPS rules. It has not yet confirmed if it will allow members who qualify for protection to take their LGPS pension before age 57, from 6 April 2028
We must be mindful of the fact that when NMPA changed from 50 to 55 there were no protections introduced in the LGPS, but this may not be the case this time. We will keep you informed as we hear more information, or keep up to date on the government website.
