State Pension

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

A new 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 new State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you’re:

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.

As a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme 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 no longer 'contracted out'.

You should be aware that, as a member of the LGPS, if you are eligible for the new 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.

LGA have produced a Topping Up Your State Pension Guide, listing the various ways that an individual may top up their State Pension, depending on their personal circumstances and when they reach their State Pension Age.

Find out your State Pension Age

If you do not know what your State Pension Age is you can use www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension to find this out.

This is the earliest age you can receive the state basic pension. State Pension Age is currently age 65 for men. State Pension Age for women is currently being increased to be equalised with that for men and will reach 65 by December 2018.