Voluntary retirement

If you were an active member (paying into the scheme) after 1 April 2014, you can retire and access your benefits voluntarily from age 55. 

If you left the scheme before 31 March 2014 and have a deferred benefit, the regulations governing these payments changed on 14 May 2018 and, in most cases, you can now access the benefits voluntarily from age 55. Although if you opted out of the scheme, your benefit cannot be paid until you leave the job.

You should contact pensions services at least three months before your intended retirement date to tell us that you want to start receiving your pension. This can be as simple as sending an email confirming your name, National Insurance number and your intended retirement date to pensions.enquiries@staffordshire.gov.uk.