No longer paying in
Councillors and mayors
About the scheme
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) provides retirement benefits for councillors and mayors ("elected members") in England who are under age 75. The scheme is secure, with benefits guaranteed by legislation, meaning they are not affected by stock market fluctuations.
Retirement
- You can take your pension from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028)
- Benefits may be reduced if taken early
- Your pension is paid for life and increases annually
If you leave before retirement
If you leave with at least two years' membership, your pension will be deferred and held for you until you are ready to retire, which you can do from age 55 onwards. The earliest age that you can take your pension will increase from age 55 to 57 from 6 April 2028.
If you leave with less than two years membership, you may receive a refund of contributions (subject to tax).
Transfers
You may transfer pension rights into the LGPS from other schemes, usually within 12 months of joining.
Any transfer-in of final salary benefits will not entitle you to final salary benefits in the LGPS, you will receive an equivalent amount added to your pension account instead.
