If you were a member of the LGPS between 1 April 1998 and 30 September 2006, you may have some level of protection from the 85-year rule.

The 85-year rule is not a rule which allows you to retire early.  It is a rule that allows you to take some of your pension benefits without them being reduced for early payment.

Qualifying under the 85-year rule

If you were in the LGPS between 1 April 1998 and 30 September 2006, your pension benefits may qualify for some level of 85-year rule protection when:

  1. You reach age 60.
  2. Your age and length of LGPS membership add up to 85.

When you are ready to retire, you must meet both conditions to qualify.

What you get if you qualify

The government removed the 85-year rule from the LGPS in 2005, and since then, protection has been tapering away. The number of people who benefit from the 85-year rule is therefore reducing.

Below are the current rules for members who choose to draw their pension before their normal pension age.

If you do not meet both the criteria above:

  • you do not qualify for the 85-year rule
  • the fund will reduce all your benefits 

The fund will not reduce the benefits you built up before 31 March 2016 if:

  • you were age 60 or over on 31 March 2016
  • you meet both criteria above

The fund will not reduce the benefits you built up before 31 March 2008 if:

  • you were under age 60 on 31 March 2016
  • you meet both criteria above

The fund will not fully reduce some or all the benefits you built up between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2020 if:

  • you were aged 60 between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2020
  • you met both criteria above by 31 March 2020

Get an estimate of your pension

If you meet the 85-year rule, we take these protections into account on:

  • your annual benefit statement
  • calculations run on My Oxfordshire Pension
  • any estimates you receive from Pensions Services
How to view your estimate

A complex set of rules

The 85-year rule is complex, and this summary cannot cover every circumstance. In the event of a dispute, the appropriate regulation will apply. 

Your level of protection may be affected by circumstances, such as:

  • multiple employments
  • merging records
  • aggregations
  • transfers in from other LGPS funds
  • flexible retirement
  • employer discretion

We recommend you take financial advice and ensure you have a full understanding before making any decisions.

Your age and scheme membership are both measured in full years for this purpose. Part years do not count.

If you work part-time, your membership counts towards the 85-year rule at its full calendar length.

If you are a deferred member, your increasing age and notional membership continue to accumulate towards the 85-year rule.

Further information

Learn more about the 85-year rule and early retirement reductions.