Life after Work Video Transcript (172KB, PDF)
Normal pension age for your 2015 Scheme benefits will be the same as your state pension age or age 65, whichever is later. As the state pension age increases so will your normal pension age meaning that you could be older than 65 when you reach your normal pension age. You can find out your state pension age at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age. It may also be shown on your last NILGOSC annual benefit statement.
Although the retirement age for the benefits that you have built up before 1 April 2015 will still be 65, you cannot draw these pension benefits before your benefits under the 2015 Scheme. Therefore, if you decided to withdraw all of your benefits at age 65 and your normal pension age under the 2015 scheme is 66, any benefits that you have built up after 1 April 2015 will be reduced as they will be paid early.
To be entitled to retirement benefits you must have at least two years’ membership in the Scheme, or have brought in a transfer from another pension scheme or have a deferred benefit elsewhere in the Scheme which takes you over the two year limit.
If you do not retire at your normal pension age there are specific rules relating to the other types of retirement which may be available to you.
Retirement options
Early retirement
You can retire and receive your benefits at any time from age 55 onwards and you do not need your employer’s permission.
Late retirement
If you carry on working after your normal pension age you will continue to pay into the Scheme, building up further benefits.
Flexible retirement
Your employer must have a policy on flexible retirement and you should contact them directly if you wish to look into this option.
Ill-health retirement
If you have to leave work at any age due to permanent ill-health which prevents you from doing your job and you have at least two years’ Scheme membership, you may benefit from the Scheme’s tiered ill-health retirement package.
Redundancy
Your pension may be payable if your employer makes you redundant or retires you on business efficiency.