Pension age changes

The Government has announced that the earliest age that people can take their pension will increase from age 55 to 57 with effect from 6 April 2028. This does not apply if people have to take their pension early because of ill health.

Members of the LGPS could be protected from this increase if they joined the LGPS before 4 November 2021. Members could also be protected if they transferred a previous pension into the LGPS, if certain conditions are met. Members will only be able to use this protection when they take their LGPS pension if the LGPS rules allow them to take their pension before age 57.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) makes the LGPS rules. It has not yet confirmed if it will allow members who qualify for protection to take their LGPS pension before age 57 from 6 April 2028 onwards. We will update this website and write to members if DLUHC changes the Scheme rules to reflect the increase in the normal minimum pension age.

 

£95,000 exit payment cap

In  February 2021, the government issued the Exit Payment Cap Directions 2021 which disapply parts of the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020.  This means that the exit payment cap no longer applies in England, with immediate effect.

 

Please see the Scheme Advisory Board website for more information.

 

Age discrimination court case (McCloud) and the LGPS

Visit our  regulation changes page to see the latest developments on possible changes to the LGPS.

 

Employer forms

Up to date copies of forms that employers should use to notify Bedfordshire Pension Fund of changes to scheme member details can be found on our forms for employers page.

 

LGPS regulations

The Local Government Association maintains an LGPS regulations website which has links to scheme regulations and guidance, including guides for HR and payroll departments.  The site is updated on a regular basis.