Regulation updates

The LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018 came into force on 10 January 2019.

The main changes resulting from these amendment regulations are:

• A technical amendment now allows early access to benefits from age 55 for all deferred members
• Survivors of registered civil partnerships or same-sex marriages will now get benefits similar to those given to widows

More information is covered below.

Early access to benefits for deferred members

You may remember in our update last year we covered changes to the regulations introduced in May 2018. The changes made it possible for most deferred members to choose to take their deferred benefits from age 55 (without their former employer's consent and providing they had left their employment to which the deferred benefit applies). 

Unfortunately, deferred members who left before 1 April 1998 were not covered due to the way the regulations were written at the time. However, recent updates to these regulations mean all deferred members can now choose to take their benefits early from age 55 but with a reduction for early payment.

If you wish to find out more about taking your benefits early and the reductions that would apply, you can log in to My Pension Online. 

To apply for payment of your benefits, please complete the 'application for payment of benefits' form. Please note, the earliest date your benefits can be paid is three months following your application. 

Changes to survivor benefits

There have been recent improvements to the membership used to work out survivor benefits in the event of a member's death. The benefits paid to survivors of registered civil partnerships or same-sex marriages will now replicate the benefits provided to widows.