Find out when you can start taking your defined benefit (DB) pension.
Use the options below to read more about the different times you can start taking your pension, as well as a couple of other things you might want to consider.
Once you’ve reached your NRA, you’ll get an income that is based primarily on your salary and membership.
There will be no reduction in the benefits you receive at normal retirement, unlike with other types of retirement, including some of those listed below.
Your NRA is likely to be different to the age for claiming your State Pension. While your NRA is set by the Scheme, the State Pension Age is set by the Government and is based entirely on when you were born. Read the State Pension page for more information.
It could also be possible to apply for your pension benefits from age 50 if you have a Protected Pension Age. You can read more about the Protected Pension Age by selecting 'How a Protected Pension Age affects you' form the contents list at the top of this page.
If you start taking your pension benefits before your NRA, your pension payments will be lower than they would be with normal retirement. This is because your pension is likely to be paid out over a longer period.
How much lower your payments are, depends on the ‘early retirement factors (ERFs),’ that will be applied. You can find the ERFs for your section in your Member Guide. It shows the ERFs at different ages in years. If you take your pension benefits on a date other than your birthday, the ERFs will reflect your age in years and months.
If you decide to retire early, you will no longer be eligible for:
There are also extra restrictions if you want to take your pension early and continue working.
