As a member…
You may want to get some advice
Flexible retirement has many benefits, but it’s a big decision. You may want to get some professional advice as your savings could:
- decrease if you take out too much pension
- run out if you live longer than expected
- be affected by underperforming investments.
Let your your employer know
If you’re interested in taking flexible retirement, contact your employer right away. They’ll:
- explain their flexible retirement policy
- tell you if they’ll reduce your pension if you retire before your State Pension age
- agree your retirement date
- give us your pay and leaving details
- pay any early retirement costs, if applicable.
If you retire after your State Pension age, your pension increases as you’ve paid in for longer.
What you’ll get
We’ll provide:
- a pension estimate within 10 working days (if your employer has given us the information we need)
- an application form to proceed with flexible retirement.
What you need to tell us
- if you’d like to swap any pension for a lump sum
- proof of attending a Pension Wise appointment if you’ve an in-house AVC
- your bank details.
You need to send us
- a copy of your birth certificate or passport
- pension claim forms and any other requested certificates.
When you’ll be paid
- Cambridgeshire Pension Fund: the last working day of the month.
- Northamptonshire Pension Fund: the 25th of each month.
We aim to set up pensions within 5 working days after receiving completed forms. We pay lump sums within 10 working days or on the day after retirement, whichever is later. Processing times may vary if you have an in-house AVC or are affected by the annual allowance. Please take this into account when deciding how much notice to give.
You can still pay in if you want to
You can keep paying into the LGPS on reduced hours or grades to build up more pension. If you choose to opt out, let your employer know before you take flexible retirement. They can then make sure they don’t take any contributions. Please don’t opt out before you flexibly retire, as your employer may refuse your flexible retirement.
Appeals
If your employer rejects your application or makes another decision you want to challenge, you can appeal. Visit our disputing an employer decision page for more information.
