DECISION GUIDER FOR USE FROM
1st OCTOBER 2012
To use this decision guider, select the appropriate leaving reason from the list below then
click on the link if you are using this electronically or go to the appropriate page. For each
leaving reason you have a choice of up to five entitlement qualifications. Select the one
relevant to the person – if in doubt contact the Pensions Service.
Obtain the precise wording for the ’Entitlement Award’ notification form from the last
column of the table.
The notes below define what is meant by scheme membership, normal payable date and
state pensionable date.
LEAVING REASON


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





Retirement at age 65 or over
Ceasing to be pensionable (age 75)
Employment ceasing on or after age 60 and before age 65
Retirement on or after age 55 and before age 60 with the employer's consent
Flexible Retirement (on or after age 55 with the employer’s consent)
Voluntary resignation or employment terminated by Employer, for reasons
other than redundancy or other than in the interest of the efficiency of the
service, before age 60
Certificated permanent ill health
Employment terminated by employer on grounds of redundancy or in the
interest of the efficiency of the service.
Employee opting out of the LGPS on or after age 60
Employee opting out of the LGPS before age 60
Death in service
Employee who is dismissed or who resigns due to misconduct or an offence
in connection with their employment
1
NOTES
1.
Scheme Membership below means different things for different purposes:
a) for determining NPD for 2(a) cases, the “25 year rule” uses total period of
membership in the Scheme (including qualifying/unaggregated service),
b) for determining whether the “85 year rule” is satisfied for NPD purposes, total
period of membership in the Scheme (excluding qualifying/unaggregated
service) is used,
c)
for establishing entitlement to benefits total membership excludes
qualifying/unaggregated service.
(If in doubt please consult the Pensions Service).
2.
Normal Payable Date (NPD) for payment of unreduced benefits:
(a)
For employees born on or before 31.3.1956 who have continuously been a
member of the LGPS since 31.3.1998 (or earlier) the NPD is
(i) age 60 if 25 years Scheme Membership is or would have been completed by
that age, or, if by that age the member's combined age (in whole years) and
Scheme Membership (in whole years) plus any excess qualifying service
counted by virtue of a transfer value from another pension scheme equals ( or
would have equalled) 85
OR
(ii) the date after age 60 and before age 65 when the earlier of the 25 or 85 year
rules has been (or would have been) met
OR
(iii) age 65 in any other case
(b)
For employees born on or before 31.3.1956 who joined the LGPS between
1.4.1998 and 30.9.2006 the NPD is
(i) age 60 if by that age the member's combined age (in whole years) and
Scheme Membership (in whole years) plus any excess qualifying service
counted by virtue of a transfer value from another pension scheme equals (or
would have equalled) 85
OR
(ii) the date after age 60 and before age 65 when the 85 year rule has been (or
would have been) met
OR
(iii) age 65 in any other case
(c)
For employees born on or after 1.4.1956, OR who joined the LGPS on or after
1.10.2006 the NPD is age 65.
3.
State pensionable date:
Whilst this had historically been for women, age 60 and for men, age 65, this is no longer
the case. The date for women is initially being equalised with men, with the state
pensionable date being increasing in stages based on date of birth until men and women
born on 6.11.1953 will have the same date, their 65th birthday. However, for those born
after 5.12.1953 this will start to rise, again based on date of birth, until those born after
5.4.1978 will have a date of their 68th birthday. Further changes may also be expected.
A table of the dates is shown here for women and here for men.
2
DECISION GUIDER FOR LEAVERS
CIRCUMSTANCE OF ENTITLEMENT QUALIFICATION
LEAVING
Employment ceasing at age 65 or over
(i)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
PRECISE WORDING ON NOTIFICATION FORM
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
Alternatively, payment may be deferred until a later date, when
the eventual benefits would include an actuarial increase to
reflect the period of deferment beyond age 65. Benefits must
commence before age 75. More details on this option are
available from Pensions Service.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
(ii)
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for long
term benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
3
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Ceasing to be pensionable (age 75)
(i)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
(ii)
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for long
term benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
4
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
Benefits must commence before age 75. More details on this
option are available from Pensions Service.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Employment ceasing on or after age 60 and before age 65
(i)
Normal Payable Date attained
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
Alternatively, payment may be deferred until a later date, when,
if paid after age 65, the eventual benefits would include an
actuarial increase to reflect the period of deferment beyond age
65. Benefits must commence before age 75. More details on
this option are available from Pensions Service.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
(ii)
(iii)
Normal Payable Date has not been attained and
An award of pension benefits payable from your Normal
the member has membership of 3 or more months
Payable Date (NPD) (see note 3 overleaf).
or less than 3 months and a transfer value has
Alternatively, you can either:been received from another pension scheme or has
(i)
opt to receive the pension benefits (which may be
previously qualified for long-term benefits under the
at a reduced rate) payable either immediately from
LGPS in respect of another employment.
the date of retirement or from any later date that
falls before your NPD, or
defer payment until a date later than your NPD, when, if paid
after age 65, the eventual benefits would include an actuarial
increase to reflect the period of deferment beyond age 65.
Benefits must commence before age 75. More details on this
option are available from Pensions Service.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
Normal Payable Date has not been attained and
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
the member has membership of less than 3 months be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
and no transfer in from another pension scheme and scheme.
has not previously qualified for long term benefits
under the LGPS in respect of another employment. A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
5
Retirement on or after age 55 and before age 60 with the employer's consent.
(i)
(ii)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
Not applicable
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
Flexible Retirement on or after age 55 with the employer's consent
(i)
(ii)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
Not applicable
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
6
Voluntary resignation or employment terminated by Employer, for reasons other than redundancy or other than business
efficiency, before age 60
(i)
(ii)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
7
An award of pension benefits payable from your Normal
Payable Date (NPD) (see Note 3 overleaf). Alternatively you
may be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme or defer payment beyond your NPD.
Application to transfer out forms (TVOUT01 and IFTVOUT1)
are enclosed.
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Certificated permanent ill health
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment
AND
Certified as qualifying for either Tier 1 or Tier 2
benefits
Membership of 3 months or more or less than 3
months and a transfer value has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment
AND
Certified as qualifying for Tier 3 benefits
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
8
An award of enhanced pension benefits payable from the
above date.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
An award of temporary un-enhanced pension benefits payable
from the above date. The pension will be paid for a period of no
more than 3 years, being suspended if gainful employment is
obtained, if a review 18 months after leaving finds that you are
at that time capable of gainful employment, or at the end of the
3-year period. The pension will then be deferred until age 65, or
until an application for earlier payment were made and granted.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Employment terminated by employer on grounds of redundancy or business efficiency
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Age 55 or over and either membership of 3 months
or more or less than 3 months and a transfer value
has been received from another pension scheme or
has previously qualified for long-term benefits under
the LGPS in respect of another employment
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
An award of pension benefits payable from the above date.
The forms RET1, RET2 and RET3 are enclosed for completion.
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Under age 55 and either membership of 3 months
An award of pension benefits payable from your Normal
or more or less than 3 months and a transfer value Payable Date (NPD) (see Note 3 overleaf). Alternatively you
has been received from another pension scheme or may be able to transfer all or part of your pension rights to
has previously qualified for long-term benefits under another pension scheme or defer payment beyond your NPD.
the LGPS in respect of another employment
Application to transfer out forms (TVOUT01 and IFTVOUT1)
are enclosed.
9
Employee opting out of the LGPS on or after age 60
(i)
Normal Payable Date attained
An award of pension benefits payable from the date following
the cessation of your present employment.
Alternatively, payment may be deferred until a later date, when
the eventual benefits would include an actuarial increase to
reflect the period of deferment beyond age 65. Benefits must
commence before age 75. More details on this option are
available from Pensions Service.
(ii)
Normal Payable Date has not been attained and the
member has membership of 3 or more months or
less than 3 months and a transfer value has been
received from another pension scheme or has
previously qualified for long-term benefits under the
LGPS in respect of another employment.
An award of deferred benefits payable from your Normal
Payable Date (NPD) (see Note 3 overleaf) or the day following
the cessation of your present employment if this is later. If you
cease your present employment before your NPD you can opt
to receive payment of pension benefits (which may be
reduced).
You may also defer payment until a later date, when, if paid
after age 65, the eventual benefits would include an actuarial
increase to reflect the period of deferment beyond age 65.
Benefits must commence before age 75.
Alternatively a transfer of pension rights to another pension
scheme may be possible. Application to transfer out forms
(TVOUT01 and IFTVOUT1) are enclosed.
(iii)
Normal Payable Date has not been attained and
the member has less than 3 months membership
and there has been no transfer in from another
pension scheme and has not previously qualified for
long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
10
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Employee opting out of the LGPS before age 60
(i)
Membership of 3 or more months or less than 3
months and a transfer has been received from
another pension scheme or has previously qualified
for long-term benefits under the LGPS in respect of
another employment.
An award of deferred benefits payable from your Normal
Payable Date (NPD) (see Note 3 overleaf) or the day following
the cessation of your present employment if this is later. If you
cease your present employment on or after age 60 and before
your NPD you can opt to receive payment of pension benefits
(which may be reduced).
You may also defer payment until a later date, when, if paid
after age 65, the eventual benefits would include an actuarial
increase to reflect the period of deferment beyond age 65.
Benefits must commence before age 75.
Alternatively you may be able to transfer your pension rights to
another pension scheme.
Application to transfer out forms (TVOUT01 and IFTVOUT1)
are enclosed.
(ii)
Membership of less than 3 months and no transfer
value has been received from another pension
scheme and has not previously qualified for longterm benefits under the LGPS in respect of another
employment.
Death in service
Membership of 1 day or more
A refund of your pension contributions. Alternatively you may
be able to transfer your pension rights to another pension
scheme.
A refund claim form (REF1) and application to transfer out form
(TVOUT01) are enclosed.
Lump Sum Death Grant plus
Survivor’s entitlement (i.e. widow/widower/Civil
Partner/Nominated co-habiting partner)
Long term pension
Children's entitlement
Pension payable to, or in respect of, eligible children
Because of the complexity of the provisions in this matter,
11
Employers should not issue a ‘Entitlement Award’ notification.
They must instead immediately inform the Pensions Service of
the death and any potential dependants.
Employee who is dismissed or who resigns due to misconduct or an offence in connection with her employment
Because of the complexity of the provisions in this matter,
Employers should seek advice from the Pensions Service
before issuing an ‘Entitlement Award’ notification.
12
State Pensionable Date for women
Date of
birth
from
Up to
06/04/1950
06/05/1950
06/06/1950
06/07/1950
06/08/1950
06/09/1950
06/10/1950
06/11/1950
06/12/1950
06/01/1951
06/02/1951
06/03/1951
06/04/1951
06/05/1951
06/06/1951
06/07/1951
06/08/1951
06/09/1951
06/10/1951
06/11/1951
06/12/1951
06/01/1952
06/02/1952
06/03/1952
06/04/1952
06/05/1952
06/06/1952
06/07/1952
06/08/1952
06/09/1952
06/10/1952
06/11/1952
06/12/1952
06/01/1953
06/02/1953
06/03/1953
06/04/1953
06/05/1953
06/06/1953
06/07/1953
06/08/1953
to
05/04/1950
05/05/1950
05/06/1950
05/07/1950
05/08/1950
05/09/1950
05/10/1950
05/11/1950
05/12/1950
05/01/1951
05/02/1951
05/03/1951
05/04/1951
05/05/1951
05/06/1951
05/07/1951
05/08/1951
05/09/1951
05/10/1951
05/11/1951
05/12/1951
05/01/1952
05/02/1952
05/03/1952
05/04/1952
05/05/1952
05/06/1952
05/07/1952
05/08/1952
05/09/1952
05/10/1952
05/11/1952
05/12/1952
05/01/1953
05/02/1953
05/03/1953
05/04/1953
05/05/1953
05/06/1953
05/07/1953
05/08/1953
05/09/1953
SPD =
Age 60
06/05/2010
06/07/2010
06/09/2010
06/11/2010
06/01/2011
06/03/2011
06/05/2011
06/07/2011
06/09/2011
06/11/2011
06/01/2012
06/03/2012
06/05/2012
06/07/2012
06/09/2012
06/11/2012
06/01/2013
06/03/2013
06/05/2013
06/07/2013
06/09/2013
06/11/2013
06/01/2014
06/03/2014
06/05/2014
06/07/2014
06/09/2014
06/11/2014
06/01/2015
06/03/2015
06/05/2015
06/07/2015
06/09/2015
06/11/2015
06/01/2016
06/03/2016
06/07/2016
06/11/2016
06/03/2017
06/07/2017
06/11/2017
13
State Pensionable Date for women Continued
Date of
birth
from
06/09/1953
06/10/1953
06/11/1953
06/12/1953
06/01/1954
06/02/1954
06/03/1954
06/04/1954
06/05/1954
06/06/1954
06/07/1954
06/08/1954
06/09/1954
06/10/1954
06/04/1968
06/05/1968
06/06/1968
06/07/1968
06/08/1968
06/09/1968
06/10/1968
06/11/1968
06/12/1968
06/01/1969
06/02/1969
06/03/1969
06/04/1969
06/04/1977
06/05/1977
06/06/1977
06/07/1977
06/08/1977
06/09/1977
06/10/1977
06/11/1977
06/12/1977
06/01/1978
06/02/1978
06/03/1978
06/04/1978
to
05/10/1953
05/11/1953
05/12/1953
05/01/1954
05/02/1954
05/03/1954
05/04/1954
05/05/1954
05/06/1954
05/07/1954
05/08/1954
05/09/1954
05/10/1954
05/04/1968
05/05/1968
05/06/1968
05/07/1968
05/08/1968
05/09/1968
05/10/1968
05/11/1968
05/12/1968
05/01/1969
05/02/1969
05/03/1969
05/04/1969
05/04/1977
05/05/1977
05/06/1977
05/07/1977
05/08/1977
05/09/1977
05/10/1977
05/11/1977
05/12/1977
05/01/1978
05/02/1978
05/03/1978
05/04/1978
Onwards
SPD =
06/03/2018
06/07/2018
06/11/2018
06/03/2019
06/05/2019
06/07/2019
06/09/2019
06/11/2019
06/01/2020
06/03/2020
06/05/2020
06/07/2020
06/09/2020
Age 66
06/05/2034
06/07/2034
06/09/2034
06/11/2034
06/01/2035
06/03/2035
06/05/2035
06/07/2035
06/09/2035
06/11/2035
06/01/2036
06/03/2036
Age 67
06/05/2044
06/07/2044
06/09/2044
06/11/2044
06/01/2045
06/03/2045
06/05/2045
06/07/2045
06/09/2045
06/11/2045
06/01/2046
06/03/2046
Age 68
14
State Pensionable Date for men
Date of birth
from
to
Up to
05/12/1953
06/12/1953 05/01/1954
06/01/1954 05/02/1954
06/02/1954 05/03/1954
06/03/1954 05/04/1954
06/04/1954 05/05/1954
06/05/1954 05/06/1954
06/06/1954 05/07/1954
06/07/1954 05/08/1954
06/08/1954 05/09/1954
06/09/1954 05/10/1954
06/10/1954 05/04/1968
06/04/1968 05/05/1968
06/05/1968 05/06/1968
06/06/1968 05/07/1968
06/07/1968 05/08/1968
06/08/1968 05/09/1968
06/09/1968 05/10/1968
06/10/1968 05/11/1968
06/11/1968 05/12/1968
06/12/1968 05/01/1969
06/01/1969 05/02/1969
06/02/1969 05/03/1969
06/03/1969 05/04/1969
06/04/1969 05/04/1977
06/04/1977 05/05/1977
06/05/1977 05/06/1977
06/06/1977 05/07/1977
06/07/1977 05/08/1977
06/08/1977 05/09/1977
06/09/1977 05/10/1977
06/10/1977 05/11/1977
06/11/1977 05/12/1977
06/12/1977 05/01/1978
06/01/1978 05/02/1978
06/02/1978 05/03/1978
06/03/1978 05/04/1978
06/04/1978 Onwards
SPD =
Age 65
06/03/2019
06/05/2019
06/07/2019
06/09/2019
06/11/2019
06/01/2020
06/03/2020
06/05/2020
06/07/2020
06/09/2020
Age 66
06/05/2034
06/07/2034
06/09/2034
06/11/2034
06/01/2035
06/03/2035
06/05/2035
06/07/2035
06/09/2035
06/11/2035
06/01/2036
06/03/2036
Age 67
06/05/2044
06/07/2044
06/09/2044
06/11/2044
06/01/2045
06/03/2045
06/05/2045
06/07/2045
06/09/2045
06/11/2045
06/01/2046
06/03/2046
Age 68
15