You’d normally take your benefits at age 65… but you have choices.
If you work for your employer beyond 65 then you can leave your benefits where they are but they will only receive annual increases. No late retirement uplift or enhancement is applied.
You can apply to take benefits at any time after the age of 55 (or earlier on grounds of ill health). The benefits will generally be reduced because they are payable early – a reduction might not apply if you are retiring on grounds of ill health. The government is increasing the minimum age at which you can take your benefits early (except on ill health) to 57 from 6 April 2028.
If you’re at least 54 years and eight months old, you can ask the Pensions Service for a personalised quotation of the options available to you.
You can request a quote by completing the online ‘Early Retirement form’.
If you don’t know which section you’re in, contact the Helpline (contact details are at the bottom of the page); or If you recieve an Annual Benefit Illustration the section is noted on the front page.