You must notify us through i-Connect when any member leaves the scheme (whether by leaving their employment, retiring, or opting out).

We will review the member's options and notify them directly.

Important: The government is increasing the normal minimum pension age (NMPA) from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028. This change affects when members of the LGPS can take their pension.

The member's reasons for leaving

Different processes will apply depending on the member and their reason for leaving. Find out what you must do in each of the following situations.

The member is leaving employment at or after normal pension age

Members are entitled to an immediate pension, due from the day following their last day of service unless the member requests to defer payment.

They are terminating their employment due to:

Follow the guidance for each to ensure you supply the correct information, including the leaver information on i-Connect.

The member is leaving employment after age 55 (changing to 57 from 6 April 2028) and wants to take their pension

None of the reasons mentioned above applies to the member, and they:

  • have at least 2 years in the scheme
  • are before normal pension age

You should supply full leaver details on i-Connect. We will advise members of their options.

The member can choose when to draw their pension, but must give us three months' notice.

The member is under age 55 (changing to 57 from 1 April 2028)

The member has at least 2 years in the scheme. You should supply full leaver details on i-Connect.

There is an entitlement to a deferred pension, but their pension will not be put into immediate payment.

The member is of any age with less than two years in the scheme

Supply full leaver details on i-Connect.

The member is leaving due to the transfer of the service

For example:

  • TUPE
  • end of contractual outsourcing
  • amalgamations

Contact us before starting the process to assess the costs and liabilities fully. You must address the legal procedures to protect members' pensions before any transfer of service can take place.

The member has opted out previously and is now leaving employment

Inform us of leavers who previously opted out of the LGPS but are not active members on their leaving employment date.

Your required action for all leavers

  1. You must supply details for all leavers on i-Connect, whether entitled to an immediate pension or not.
  2. You must complete the leaver section and the CARE pay details for all leavers.

The fund will delay pension payments if you have not supplied full leaver, final pay, and CARE pay details.

We cannot assess benefits or advise the member of their options on leaving the scheme unless you have supplied:

  • confirmation of leaving
  • reason for leaving
  • full pay details

Timeline for a normal retirement

All retirements are different, but a typical process would be as follows:

Step 1 – We receive the forms

We receive retirement confirmation from you or a member's early payment request form (with 3 months' notice).

Step 2 – You supply all leaver details

You provide all the leaver details through the next i-Connect return.

Step 3 – We inform the member of their options

Within 10 working days of receiving all leaver pay and final pay details from you, we will send or upload a provisional retirement letter and form for the member showing their options.

Step 4 – The member informs us of their decision

The member will complete the form to:

  • decide when they will receive the pension
  • decide the amount of tax-free lump sum and pension
  • decide how to use any AVC fund, if applicable
  • supply all the personal details required
  • supply tax and pension savings details

The member then returns the form to us.

Step 5 – Payment begins

The payment date will depend on the member's responses to the provisional options.