It‘s possible to take your benefits before you reach your Normal Pension Age (NPA) provided you’re age 55 or over and are leaving service. Your benefits will be Actuarially Adjusted Benefits (AAB) to reflect that they’re being paid before you’ve reached your NPA. The minimum pension age is changing from 6 April 2028, when it will rise from age 55 to 57. Find out more about what this means below.

If you’re currently in pensionable service then your employer has to agree that you can leave and take your benefits. If they don’t agree initially, they can't withhold their consent for more than six months. Your benefits will be paid the day after you cease pensionable employment.

If you’re not in Pensionable Service then you can choose your retirement date but it must be six weeks after the date you sign your application form.

If you’ve benefits in both the final salary scheme and career average scheme then you need to take all your benefits at the same time.

Take a look at the factors and guidance notes (PDF, 1 MB) (This link opens in a new window)for more information about the Early Retirement factors. You can use our spreadsheet version if you'd prefer (XLSM, 1 MB) (This link opens in a new window).

Changes to the minimum pension age from 6 April 2028.

On 6 April 2028, the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) will increase from 55 to 57. This will impact the age at which new entrants to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme on or after 4 November 2021 can take their pension benefits. This change was made by the Finance Act 2022 and applies to all schemes, not just the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. 

A member would retain a NMPA of 55 if they had service in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme before the announcement regarding NMPA changes on 4 November 2021. Hence:

• From 6 April 2028, members with service in the final salary and/or career average scheme up to 3 November 2021 will retain the right to take Early (actuarially adjusted) Retirement or Phased Retirement from age 55 subject to an application being made and the relevant retirement conditions being satisfied. For example, for an ‘out-of-service’ Early Retirement application, a member must be out of service for a minimum of six weeks prior to the selected payable date of the Early Retirement award.

• Members who joined the career average scheme for the first time after 3 November 2021, will have a Normal Minimum Pension Age of 57.

There remain some policy considerations to work through, and the Department for Education is committed to giving an update as soon as possible.