The State Pension

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In addition to your LGPS benefits, you may also qualify for a state retirement pension paid by the government from State Pension Age (SPA).
 
A new single tier, flat rate State Pension has been introduced for people who reach SPA on or after 6 April 2016. It replaces the basic and additional State Pension that is payable to people who reach SPA before 6 April 2016.
 
You will be able to claim the new State Pension when you reach SPA if you are:
 
  • a man born on or after 6 April 1951
  • a woman born on or after 6 April 1953
 
and, normally, have at least 10 years qualifying years on your National Insurance record.
 
If you don't know when you will reach SPA, you can check by using the government's online State Pension Age Calculator by clicking here.
 
You should be aware that, as a member of the LGPS, if you are eligible for the new State Pension you might not receive the full amount. This is because as a member of the LGPS you are likely to have paid a lower amount of National Insurance in previous years.
 
For more details about the new State Pension, please visit https://www.gov.uk/yourstatepension.
 

State Pension Age equalisation timetable for women

SPA is currently age 65 for men. SPA for women is currently being increased to be equalised with that for men and will reach 65 by December 2018.
 
Date of Birth New State Pension Age
Before 6 April 1950 60
6 April 1950 to 5 April 1951 In the range 60 - 61
6 April 1951 to 5 April 1952 In the range 61 - 62
6 April 1952 to 5 April 1953 In the range 62 - 63
6 April 1953 to 5 August 1953 In the range 63 - 64
6 August 1953 to 5 December 1953 In the range 64 - 65
SPA will then increase to 66 for both men and women from December 2018 to October 2020.
 
 

Increase in State Pension Age from 65 to 66 for men and women

 
Date of Birth New State Pension Age
6 December 1953 to 5 October 1954 In the range 65 - 66
After 5 October 1954 66
 
Under current legislation SPA is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, the government has announced plans to link rises SPA above age 67 to increases in life expectancy.