Early retirement
You may be able to retire early depending on the conditions below.
If you joined the scheme before 6th April 2006 and are still in active employment you may be able to buy an annuity any time from age 50 as long as you leave work.
If you joined the scheme on or after 6th April 2006 and are still in active employment you may be able to buy an annuity if you are aged 55 or over, or aged 50 to 55 if your retirement date is before 6th April 2010.
If you are considering early retirement you may wish to seek independent financial advice to ensure that your retirement benefits will be sufficient for your needs. To find a local independent financial adviser see Quick Links - Independent Financial Advisor.
Note: If you have chosen to invest in the Lifestyle option and want to retire earlier than your minimum pension age it is very important that you tell us at what age you want to retire. To find out more about the Lifestyle option and why you need to set a target retirement date if you want to retire early see Quick Links - Lifestyle.