If you choose to take your pension benefits before your Normal Pension Age, they will normally be reduced because they will be paid for longer. First, your benefits are calculated as usual, and then reduced. You can find out more about How your pension is worked out.
The reduction is based on the period between the date your benefits are paid and your Normal Pension Age. The earlier you take your pension, the bigger the reduction.
The current reductions for taking your benefits up to 13 years early are shown in the table below. If the number of years is not exact, the reductions will be adjusted.
The Government sets the early retirement reduction factors. They can vary from time to time. The table below shows the reduction factors that have been applied to early retirements since 1 August 2026.
Reductions if you choose to retire before your Normal Pension Age
| Number of years | Pension reduction | Lump sum reduction (for membership to 31 March 2008) |
| 0 | 0% | 0% |
| 1 | 5.0% | 2.0% |
| 2 | 9.6% | 3.9% |
| 3 | 13.9% | 5.8% |
| 4 | 17.8% | 7.6% |
| 5 | 21.5% | 9.4% |
| 6 | 24.9% | 11.2% |
| 7 | 28.1% | 12.9% |
| 8 | 31.1% | 14.7% |
| 9 | 33.9% | 16.3% |
| 10 | 36.6% | 18.0% |
| 11 | 39.0% | n/a |
| 12 | 41.4% | n/a |
| 13 | 43.6% | n/a |
Your employer can agree not to reduce your LGPS benefits. This is a discretion and you can ask them what their policy on this is.
You can reduce or avoid any reductions by taking your pension later. Your benefits are normally payable from your Normal Pension Age. You can delay payment beyond your Normal Pension Age, but only if you left the Scheme after 31 March 1998. You must take your pension by age 75.
