Your pension is paid directly into your bank account on a monthly basis unless you go abroad and need to make alternative arrangements.
Remember to inform us immediately if your bank account or address changes - either temporarily or permanently. If you don’t do this, you may miss out on a payment. You can find out about what to do on the if your circumstances change page of this site.
Monthly payments
Your pension is paid into your account on the 15th day of each month. When that day falls on a weekend, it’s paid in on the Friday before (either the 13th or 14th).
The payment covers the calendar month it’s made. In effect, your pension is paid two weeks in advance and two weeks in arrears.
The amount due from the partial month at the start of your retirement will either be paid during your first month or will be added to your payment for the first full month of your retirement. This depends on the amount of notice your employer gives us.
Payment advice slips
You’ll get a payment advice slip with your first payment, and then every April and May if you receive an increase in your pension, and the May slip contains your P60, which you’ll need if you fill in a tax self assessment form.
You’ll also get an advice slip if your pension varies by more than £5.
Life certificates
From time to time you may be sent a “life certificate”. This is to protect the scheme from fraud.
If you receive a life certificate, it will need to be signed by someone who knows you personally but is not a family member. Make sure the certificate is returned as soon as possible - a delay might affect payments of your pension.
More information
You can download A Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with full details of all the features and how to take advantage of them, to print out and read when you want. If you would rather receive a copy by post, contact us.
If you’ve got further questions, visit the pensioner member frequently asked questions page of this site.