Pre-April 2014 Councillors (1997 Scheme)

In March 2014, the Government brought in legislation which meant that existing councillor members of the LGPS in England ceased to be a member of the Scheme at the end of the term of office which they were serving on 1 April 2014, or age 75, whichever was the earlier. Councillor members could not join the Scheme after this date.

If you are a councillor or elected mayor who has left the LGPS, you can take your pension benefits after you reach age 55. You must take your pension benefits before age 75.

If you qualified for pension benefits in the LGPS but did not take them when you left the Scheme, you are entitled to deferred benefits. These deferred benefits will be paid at age 65 unless:

• you choose to defer payment beyond that age, up to age 75 at the latest
• you elect to have them paid between age 55 and age 65
• you request payment between age 50 and 55 (you need your council’s consent and would have to pay a tax charge if your pension is paid before age 55)
• you become permanently incapable of discharging efficiently the duties of the office you had held because of ill health or infirmity of mind or body. If this happens, the deferred benefits can be paid immediately, whatever your age and would not be reduced for early payment

If your pension is paid after age 65, it will be paid at an increased rate. If your pension is paid before age 65, it may be reduced for early payment. Some or all of your benefits may be protected from the reduction if you joined the Scheme before 1 October 2006. Your council can agree to waive reductions on compassionate grounds.

View the early and late retirement sections of the guide below to the LGPS for more information.

You may be able to transfer the value of your deferred benefits to another pension scheme. See the ‘Leaving the Scheme before retirement’ section of the guide below for more information.

Download the LGPS Guide for Councillors (PDF, 459 KB)