Leaving options
Leaving options - refund, transfer out and deferred pension
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my options if I leave with less than two years’ membership?
What are my options if I leave with more than two years' membership, hold other LGPS pension rights or transferred in membership?
Can I get a refund?
How do I claim my refund?
How long does it take to be paid my refund?
What happens to my employer contributions if I take a refund?
Can I leave my pension benefits and take a pension?
Transferring your benefits out to a new Scheme
Taking financial advice
Keeping your pension in the Pension Scheme
Can I keep paying into the Scheme once I have left my job
What is my reference/ policy number?
If you still have questions after reading the information provide on the Member Section of our website and in the Help Hub, visit the Contact Us section.
What are my options if I leave with less than two years’ membership
• take a refund of the contributions you have paid less tax
• transfer your pension to a new pension arrangement, you may need independent financial advice before you can do this if the transfer is over £30,000.
What are my options if I leave with more than two years' membership, hold other LGPS pension rights or transferred in membership
• You can choose to keep your pension in the Scheme until your pension is due for payment - this is known as deferred pension
• You can transfer your pension to a new pension arrangement, you may need independent financial advice before you can do this if the transfer is over £30,000.
Can I get a refund?
Your employer will provide details of the contributions paid to for us to refund or defer your benefits. If you choose a refund, we'll send a form to complete and provide us with your bank details.
How do I claim my refund?
How long does it take to be paid my refund?
What happens to my employer contributions if I take a refund?
Transferring your benefits out to a new Scheme
You won't be able to keep paying in if you have left the Scheme unless you rejoin in another qualifying employment or if you opted out.
What is my reference/ policy number?
We use your National Insurance number as the unique identifier for each member and you should give this to your new provider if asked for a reference or policy number.