When can you retire?

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You must have two years’ service completed after 5 April 1988 or five years pensionable service completed at any time to be able to receive benefits from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Your service may just be in the final salary scheme or career average scheme or a combination of both. For example if you’ve completed six months in final salary and then a further 18 months in career average, you will qualify for benefits. If you've transferred in from another scheme, this may mean you qualify for benefits.

The earliest retirement benefits can be paid is age 55, unless you’re granted ill health benefits. Further information about ill health benefits can be found in our Ill health factsheet (PDF, 567 KB) (This link opens in a new window). 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 in our Early Retirement section
Last Updated: 12/04/2024 12:00

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