You can currently retire from the Scheme as early as age 55, although the government has announced that this will increase to age 57 from 2028.
If you retire between age 55 and 59, your benefits will be reduced for early payment – this means there will be a reduction in the amount of pension you receive.
If you retire early and take your benefits before you reach State Pension age, you have the option to ‘Bridge the Gap’.
Visit My Retirement Planner at BWebstream to find out more about when you can retire and how this affects your annual pension.
There’s a Q&A about My Retirement Planner that explains more about the services it provides.
There are different processes if you want to retire early due to ill health.