Early Retirement Process

Step by Step guide to claiming your pension from the Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund.

If you leave your employment, you are aged 55 or over and have at least 2 years of LGPS membership you have a right to apply for the release of your pension benefits without the need for your employer's consent. This process applies to active scheme members who are claiming their pension on voluntary retirement grounds.

Please note - this process does not apply if you are retiring for the following reasons: 

  • Redundancy retirement 
  • Flexible retirement 
  • Ill-health retirement 
  • Normal Pension Age retirement 
  • Late retirement (retiring after your Normal Pension Age onwards) 

If you are retiring due to any of the above reasons your employer will inform the pension team directly and we do not require prior notice to claim your pension. 

  1. Decide to leave your employment

    If you are over age 55 and have at least two years of LGPS membership you can claim your pension at the point you leave your employment. 


     

  2. Provide notice to Berkshire Pension Fund

    We require three months notice if you are intending to claim your pension benefits before your Normal Pension Age (NPA). You can email your notice to our helpdesk: info@berkshirepensions.org.uk  

  3. Leaving information received from your employer

    Your employer is responsible for notifying the pension team of your leaving details. Once this information is received we can calculate the value of your retirement benefits and write to you with your retirement options. 
     

  4. Review your retirement options

    Review your retirement options set out in our letter and return your completed paperwork to the pension team. 
     

  5. Payment of your pension

    On receipt of your completed forms we will process your retirement through our payroll and commence payment of your monthly pension income. 

  6. Issuing of payslips and P60 information 

    View your pension payslip and P60 information via your 'Engage' pension portal.