Police Retirement
Checklist: 12 Months
A practical timeline for voluntary retirement from a police force in England and Wales: when you can go under each pension scheme, how much notice to give, when to ask for quotes and your McCloud statement, lump sum forms, leave, kit and what to do after your last day. Ill-health retirement and the SMP process are covered elsewhere.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 1 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Start a year out. Get an estimate split by scheme and confirm your earliest date (1987: 25 or 30 years; 2006: 55; 2015: 55 reduced, 60 unreduced). If you have 2015 to 2022 service, tell the scheme 6 to 3 months ahead to get your McCloud statement. Give one month's written notice (three for chief officers), return the lump sum and allowance forms, settle leave and return kit.
The checklist at a glance
Retiring from the police has a short legal notice period and a long administrative tail. The rules below are taken from the Police Regulations 2003, the three police pension schemes (1987, SI 1987/257; 2006, SI 2006/3415; 2015, SI 2015/445) and the 2023 McCloud remedy regulations, with administrators' own guidance where the law is silent. This page covers voluntary retirement. If you are being medically retired, see ill-health retirement and the injury and ill-health hub; if you are leaving before pension age, see resigning from the police.
- 12 months: estimate by scheme, earliest date, State Pension forecast, old pension records.
- 6 to 3 months: McCloud notification and statement; retirement pack; group insurance rules.
- 4 months: 1987 commutation and 2006 exchange notices can be given.
- 3 months: chief officer notice; forms back; McCloud choice within 12 weeks of your statement.
- 1 month: written notice of retirement for most ranks.
- Last weeks: leave settled, kit returned, records copied, contact details given.
- After: payment letter, lump sum, first payment, tax code, insurers, NARPO.
Our free police pension calculator gives a first estimate by scheme, service and pay, so you know what to compare against your administrator's figures. Your administrator's estimate is what counts.
Is there a police retirement age?
Not a compulsory one, now. The 1987 scheme (reg A18) and the 2006 scheme (reg 19) set compulsory retirement ages, which from 1 October 2006 were 60 for constables to chief inspectors and 65 for higher ranks. The Police Federation's BB Circular 007-2022 (14 June 2022) explains that the 2015 scheme, made under the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, has no power to retire an officer compulsorily on age, and since all serving officers have been in the 2015 scheme from 1 April 2022, forces should no longer apply those ages. It records that the NPCC issued an advice note agreeing, and that the Federation had asked the Home Office to confirm the legal position.
The same circular stresses that this does not change when you can draw your pension. That depends on your scheme, set out next. For the decision about going at the earliest point, read can I retire at 55? and should I retire before further pension changes?
When can you retire? Earliest date and what you get, by scheme
Most officers retiring now have two or three parts to their pension: a 1987 or 2006 part, the McCloud remedy period from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022, and a 2015 scheme part. Each part follows its own scheme's rules, so the earliest unreduced date for one part may not be the same as for another.
| 1987 scheme (PPS) | 2006 scheme (NPPS) | 2015 scheme (CARE) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earliest immediate pension on voluntary retirement | 25 years' pensionable service; with under 30 years the pension is not paid before age 50 (reg B1(1) and (5)). 30 years: payable at any age | Age 55 (reg 18(1)), with at least 2 years' qualifying service, for an ordinary pension under reg 27 | Age 55 (normal minimum pension age) with at least 2 years' qualifying service (reg 90(1)) |
| Unreduced pension | Yes, the ordinary pension is not reduced for age | Yes, from 55 | From normal pension age 60 (Public Service Pensions Act 2013 s.10). Before 60 an early payment reduction applies (reg 50(3)(a)), using GAD factors revised from 1 August 2026 |
| Lump sum | Optional: commute up to a quarter at GAD's age factors; 2.25 times the pension if under 30 years; HMRC's limit can be lower | Automatic: four times the pension (reg 28(1)(b)); you can exchange some or all of it for more pension (reg 37) | Optional: £12 for each £1 of pension given up, chosen before the first payment (reg 124) |
| Notice to the scheme | A month's written notice of intention to retire is a condition of the ordinary pension unless the authority decides otherwise (reg B1(2)); 3 months and age 55 for chief officer ranks retiring before 60 (reg B1(3)(b)) | One month; three months for chief officer ranks; shorter notice may be accepted (reg 18(2)) | One month's notice of intent to claim; three months for chief officer ranks; the scheme manager may accept less (reg 93) |
| Annual pension increases | Under the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 s.3(2), not paid on your own pension until 55 unless you retired on ill-health grounds or are disabled | Paid from the first April after retirement (you are at least 55) | Paid from the first April after retirement if 55 or over |
1987 detail. The Police Federation says the 25 and 30 year counts are across the schemes, so 2015 service counts. The 1987 regulations on legislation.gov.uk are not fully revised. LPPA's retirement guide also lists age 55 with any length of membership, and age 60 for inspectors and above, as 1987 retirement points; these appear linked to the former compulsory retirement provisions and we could not confirm how they now apply, so ask your administrator.
2015 detail. If you retire before 60, the early payment reduction is measured from 60, not from State Pension age, because you are retiring from active service (reg 50(3)(a)). GAD's consolidated factor workbook shows the 2015 early payment reduction factors were revised after the May 2026 SCAPE change and implemented on 1 August 2026, so an estimate from before then may be out of date. Regulation 92(3) also asks you to state in your claim whether you are buying out the reduction.
Increases before 55. If you retire under the 1987 scheme before 55, section 3(2) of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 means annual increases on your own pension are not paid until you reach 55 (unless you retired on ill-health grounds or are disabled). See the police pension increase guide. The normal minimum pension age rise to 57 in April 2028 does not apply to police scheme members, according to HM Treasury.
Month by month: the 12-month retirement timeline
The legal minimum is one month's notice, but the McCloud process, the lump sum notice windows and the forms take longer. LPPA, which administers pensions for several forces, says the retirement process "is likely to take at least two months". This timeline works back from your intended last day.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months before | Ask your pension administrator for a benefit statement and an estimate at your intended date, split by scheme. Check your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record on GOV.UK. Start finding old pension statements. | Shows which earliest-retirement rule applies and whether a later date changes much; the lump sum allowance declaration needs older records |
| 12 to 9 months | Work out your earliest date and what an extra month or year changes. Read your Federation branch's group insurance rules for retired members. Ask HR about any pre-retirement seminar. | Some branch schemes have deadlines or no later entry; seminars are force or branch-run |
| 9 to 6 months | Pick a target date. Ask HR how your leave year runs and plan leave, rest days and TOIL. List kit to return and records to copy. If you have McCloud remedy service, read the Remediable Service Statement process. | Annex O settles leave pro rata on leaving; force policy decides the rest |
| 6 to 3 months | McCloud deferred choice members: tell the scheme manager you intend to claim, which the 2023 regulations say should be between 6 and 3 months before (reg 13(2)). LPPA asks employers to be told at least three months ahead. | Triggers your Remediable Service Statement; administrator processing takes time |
| 4 months | 1987: commutation notice can be given from now (no earlier than 4 months before, reg B7(5)). 2006: notice to exchange lump sum for pension, also no earlier than 4 months (reg 37(3)). | Notices given too early are not effective |
| 3 months | Chief officer ranks: give notice. Complete the retirement pack, bank details, tax and lump sum allowance declaration. Make your McCloud choice within 12 weeks of receiving the statement. | Benefits may not be paid until forms are complete; three months is the chief officer notice |
| 1 month | Give written notice of retirement (one month for most ranks). Agree your last day and leave plan in writing. 2015: say whether you will buy out the early payment reduction if retiring before 60 (reg 92(3)). | Notice is a condition of the 1987 ordinary pension and required by 2006 reg 18 and 2015 reg 93 |
| Last 2 weeks | Return warrant card, uniform and equipment. Copy training records, qualifications and any injury on duty paperwork. Give HR and the administrator your personal contact details. A McCloud choice can be revoked up to 10 working days before payment. | Kit belongs to the force; records are harder to get later |
| After you go | Check the payment letter, lump sum and first pension payment; check your tax code; tell insurers; decide on NARPO and retired members' insurance. | Errors are easiest to fix early |
Your administrator and force may set their own internal deadlines. Where they differ from this table, follow theirs, but keep the legal ones in mind: the notice period, the 4-month windows for 1987 and 2006 lump sum notices, the 6 to 3 month McCloud notification, the 12-week choice window and the 10-working-day revocation deadline.
Retirement estimates and the 2026 pause in quotes
Ask your pension administrator for an estimate at your intended date, split by scheme and showing the lump sum options. What we verified about 2026:
- 19 May 2026: HM Treasury changed the SCAPE discount rate from CPI + 1.7% to CPI + 2.0% and revised its transfer value guidance "with immediate effect", so "certain member calculations needed to be suspended" (Government Actuary's Department on GOV.UK, 16 June 2026).
- 20 May 2026: the NPCC's FAQs (version 1) said transfer values for all schemes and 1987 scheme lump sums at retirement were affected, that some calculations were paused, and that pensions already built up or in payment were not reduced.
- 21 May 2026: GAD issued new 1987 commutation factors, in force immediately. The NPCC says 1987 members retiring on or after 21 May who had a quote on the old factors can review their lump sum decision before retirement; McCloud choices are intended to be final except in limited circumstances.
- Late May to June 2026: the Police Federation said on 27 May that quotes were "resuming as systems are updated". GAD says every scheme had new transfer value factors within 11 working days of the announcement, while some less-used transfer-in factors remained suspended at 16 June.
- July to September 2026: GAD's workbook shows new 2006 factors for exchanging lump sum for pension (7 July) and new 2015 early payment reduction factors (implemented 1 August).
Practical upshot: if your estimate is dated before 21 May 2026 and you are in the 1987 scheme, or before 1 August 2026 and you are retiring before 60 with 2015 scheme benefits, ask for a fresh one. Our page on why police pension quotes were suspended has more background, and the 2026 lump sum changes covers the 1987 factors.
The McCloud remedy: your Remediable Service Statement and deferred choice
If you were in a police pension scheme on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1 April 2015 (with no break of more than 5 years), your service from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022 is remediable service. If you have not yet taken those benefits, you are a deferred choice member and choose at retirement whether that period is calculated under your legacy scheme or 2015 rules. The Police Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023 set the steps:
- Tell the scheme you intend to claim, in the form the scheme manager sets, during the period between 6 and 3 months before you want the benefits paid, or another period the scheme manager considers reasonable (reg 13(2)).
- Receive your Remediable Service Statement, which the scheme manager must provide as soon as reasonably practicable after your notification (reg 4(2)(c)).
- Make your choice within 12 weeks of the statement, or by another date the scheme manager considers reasonable, and in any case before benefits become payable (reg 13(3)).
- Revoke only if you must: a choice can be revoked up to 10 working days before benefits become payable (reg 13(5)).
The choice changes both the pension and the lump sum for that period: legacy 1987 rules mean commutation at GAD's factors, legacy 2006 rules mean the automatic lump sum, and 2015 rules mean 12:1. See the McCloud remedy explained, contingent decisions and our McCloud remedy calculator.
The lump sum decision and the forms
- 1987 scheme. You choose whether to commute. Notice of commutation is given in writing no earlier than 4 months before retirement; a notice given earlier is not effective (reg B7(5) and (6)). The Home Office guide says that once effective it cannot be amended or cancelled.
- 2006 scheme. The lump sum of four times the pension is automatic. If you want to exchange some of it for more pension, give notice no earlier than 4 months before retirement (reg 37(3)).
- 2015 scheme. You choose before the first payment of pension (reg 124(2)).
- Lump sum allowance declaration. Administrators ask how much of your £268,275 lump sum allowance you have used, and about any protections or older pensions. The Metropolitan Police scheme's form says benefits cannot be paid until it is completed. If you have other pensions, ask those providers for statements now.
How much is tax-free, and why the 1987 scheme's maximum can exceed HMRC's limit, is explained in tax-free cash and the lump sum allowance. For the trade-off itself, see commutation explained and our commutation calculator.
Giving notice to retire
Regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 leaves notice to a Home Office determination. Annex D says a member of a police force may retire only after giving the police pension authority one month's written notice, or such shorter notice as it has accepted; chief officer ranks give three months. The pension regulations say the same: 2006 scheme reg 18(2) and 2015 scheme reg 93 (one month, three months for chief officer ranks, shorter notice may be accepted). In the 1987 scheme, retiring without the month's notice (or shorter notice accepted) can take you outside the ordinary pension unless the authority decides otherwise (reg B1(2)). The rule and the letter are covered in more detail in our resigning guide, which uses the same sources.
- Name, rank, collar or warrant number, team and station or department.
- That you are giving notice of your intention to retire under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003.
- Your intended last day of service, and any request for shorter notice.
- A request for your leave position and a breakdown of final pay.
- Confirmation that you have asked the pension administrator to start your retirement (or a request that HR notify them).
- A personal email and postal address for post-service letters.
LPPA says it cannot start a retirement application until the employer sends a leaver form with your pay information, and asks members to tell their employer at least three months ahead. That is an administrator's request, not the legal notice period, but it is the practical one.
Your last weeks: leave, kit, records and memberships
If you are deciding between going now and staying longer, our leaving cost calculator models the gap between the pension you have banked and what staying to normal pension age would add. It is a comparison, not a recommendation either way.
After your last day: payments, tax and telling people
- Payment letter. LPPA sends a retirement payment letter shortly before your retirement date with your benefits and payment dates; check it against your estimate and query anything straight away.
- Lump sum and first payment. The 2006 regulations say a lump sum is paid within three months of retirement (reg 82(5)); the Home Office 1987 guide says normally on the first working day after; LPPA says the lump sum comes before the first monthly payment, usually at the end of the month you retire, with any backdated pension in the first payment if the cut-off was missed.
- Tax. The pension is taxed through PAYE. Keep your last payslip and P45, and check the tax code on the first pension payslip. See tax on your police pension and your first year in retirement.
- Insurers. Tell car, home and other insurers your occupation has changed, as your policies require. Death in service cover stops when you leave; see death in service benefits and our protection gap calculator.
- Working again. If you plan to return to policing or a public role, read working after police retirement before you accept.
- Family. Make sure your partner knows where the pension paperwork is and what survivor benefits apply: see survivor and death benefits.
State Pension forecast and National Insurance record
Your police pension will usually start years before your State Pension. GOV.UK's forecast service shows your State Pension age, your forecast and your National Insurance record. GOV.UK says you need 10 qualifying years for any new State Pension, and that if your record started before April 2016 you may have been contracted out, in which case you "will usually need more than 35 qualifying years to get the full rate". Gaps can sometimes be filled with voluntary contributions; check the forecast before paying anything.
For how the two pensions fit together and the years in between, see police retirement income and the State Pension gap.
What people get wrong about retiring from the police
Who to ask, and what to ask them
| Question | Who to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Which retirement rule applies to me in each scheme, and my earliest unreduced date | Pension administrator | 1987, 2006 and 2015 parts can have different dates |
| A retirement estimate at my chosen date using the factors now in force | Pension administrator | Factors changed on 21 May 2026 (1987 commutation) and 1 August 2026 (2015 early payment reductions) |
| A Remediable Service Statement for 2015 to 2022 service, and the deadline for my choice | Pension administrator | The choice affects pension and lump sum; it can be revoked only until 10 working days before payment |
| The lump sum forms, the lump sum allowance declaration and the deadline for returning them | Pension administrator | Missing forms delay payment |
| My leave year, days taken and days owed on my last day; how TOIL and rest days in lieu are dealt with | HR / payroll | Annex O para 6 sets the pro rata rule; force policy covers the rest |
| Whether I can leave on shorter notice, and how to withdraw notice if plans change | HR | The regulations allow shorter notice to be accepted but say nothing on withdrawal |
| What happens to my group insurance, legal cover and Federation membership | Federation branch office | Branch schemes differ on retired members |
| Whether my force issues an identity card or letter for retired officers | HR / Professional Standards | We found no national scheme; it is force policy |
| My State Pension age, forecast and any National Insurance gaps | GOV.UK / Future Pension Centre | The police pension usually starts years before State Pension |
| Whether my plans for the lump sum, other pensions or a second job need advice | FCA-authorised financial adviser; MoneyHelper | Commutation and some tax choices cannot be undone |
Your Police Federation or staff association representative can help with disputes about notice, leave or pension decisions. MoneyHelper gives free, impartial guidance (its Pension Wise service is for defined contribution pensions only). For a personal recommendation on commutation or other pensions, speak to an FCA-authorised financial adviser. PolicePay is not FCA-authorised and this page is information, not advice.
What we could not verify, and how we handled it
- A current consolidated Annex D. We used the 2013 compilation and the 2017 amendment, as our resigning guide does; the pension regulations' own notice rules match it.
- Other 1987 retirement points. LPPA lists age 55 (any service) and 60 (inspector and above); we could not confirm how these apply now that compulsory ages are not used.
- A national retired officer ID card. None found; force policy.
- TOIL and rest days in lieu on leaving. No national rule found.
- Federation group insurance. Branch rules differ; we do not describe product terms.
- The legal status of compulsory retirement ages. We rely on the Federation's 2022 circular; it says it had asked the Home Office to confirm.
- Every administrator's process. We quote LPPA and the Met form as examples; your administrator's deadlines may differ.
- How long current estimates take. We found no published turnaround times after the 2026 factor changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the police retirement age?
There is no compulsory retirement age now. The 1987 and 2006 schemes had compulsory ages (from October 2006, 60 for constable to chief inspector and 65 above that), but the Police Federation's June 2022 circular says the 2015 scheme has no such power and forces should not apply them from 1 April 2022. When you can take your pension is a separate question that depends on your scheme.
When can police officers retire with a pension?
In the 1987 scheme, after 25 years' service (paid from 50 if you have under 30 years) or after 30 years at any age, or at 55 as a constable or sergeant whatever your service. In the 2006 scheme, from 55. In the 2015 scheme, from 55 with an early payment reduction or from 60 unreduced. Most officers have more than one scheme, and each part follows its own rule.
How much notice do I give to retire from the police?
One month's written notice for most officers, under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 and the Home Office determination (Annex D), matched by 2006 scheme reg 18 and 2015 scheme reg 93. Chief officer ranks give three months. Shorter notice can be accepted. In the 1987 scheme the month's notice is a condition of the ordinary pension unless the authority decides otherwise.
How far ahead should I start planning to retire from the police?
A year is sensible. The legal notice is one month, but the McCloud deferred choice process asks you to tell the scheme 6 to 3 months before you claim, LPPA asks for three months' warning to the employer, and lump sum notices in the 1987 and 2006 schemes can be given from 4 months before. Retirement estimates and old pension records also take time to obtain.
How do I retire from the police?
Ask your administrator for an estimate; check your earliest date; if you have 2015 to 2022 service, request your Remediable Service Statement 6 to 3 months ahead and make your choice; give written notice (one month for most ranks); complete the retirement and lump sum forms; settle leave; return kit; then check the payment letter and first payment.
Were police pension quotes suspended in 2026?
Some calculations were. After HM Treasury changed the SCAPE discount rate on 19 May 2026, calculations relying on affected factors were suspended immediately; the NPCC said transfer values and 1987 scheme lump sums at retirement were paused. GAD issued new 1987 commutation factors on 21 May and new transfer factors to all schemes within 11 working days. Ask for a fresh estimate if yours predates the change.
When do I make my McCloud remedy choice?
Deferred choice members choose at retirement. Under the Police Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023, you tell the scheme manager you intend to claim, normally between 6 and 3 months before; you get a Remediable Service Statement; and you choose within 12 weeks of it. A choice can be revoked up to 10 working days before benefits become payable.
Do I get paid for annual leave I have not taken when I retire?
Annex O para 6 (as amended from 1 April 2025) provides a payment in lieu if you have taken less than your pro rata share of the leave year when you leave, and for you to compensate the force if you have taken more. Forces often expect leave to be used during notice. Check the figure with HR before your last day.
Do retired police officers keep their warrant card?
No national rule lets you keep it; warrant cards and equipment are returned under force policy, and the Home Office determination on uniform says uniform remains the force's property. Some forces issue a retired officer identity card, but we found no national scheme: the Petitions Committee rejected a 2017 petition as an operational policing matter.
What happens to my Police Federation membership and insurance when I retire?
Federation membership is for serving officers. Group insurance is run by branches, and their retired members' rules differ: some enrol you automatically, some only if you are already in the scheme, and at least one gives one month after retirement to apply. Ask your branch well before your last day. NARPO is the separate association for retired officers.
When will I get my police pension lump sum and first payment?
The 2006 regulations say a retirement lump sum is paid within three months; the Home Office 1987 guide says normally on the first working day after retirement. LPPA says you should receive the lump sum before your first monthly payment, usually at the end of the month you retire, or the next month if forms miss the payroll cut-off.
Should I check my State Pension before retiring from the police?
It is worth doing. GOV.UK's forecast service shows your State Pension age, your forecast and your National Insurance record. GOV.UK says people contracted out before April 2016 usually need more than 35 qualifying years for the full rate, and you can sometimes fill gaps with voluntary contributions. Your police pension will usually start well before State Pension age.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 1 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 14 (retirement), latest version (legislation.gov.uk) — notice set by Home Office determination; shorter notice may be accepted (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Home Office determinations under the Police Regulations 2003, compilation January 2013 (hosted by Cambridgeshire Police Federation) — Annex D: one month, three months for chief officer ranks; Annex W uniform (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Home Office: Annex O (amendment), annual leave, in force 1 April 2025 — payment in lieu or compensation on leaving, para 6 (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 1987 (SI 1987/257), regulations B1, B7 and L3 (legislation.gov.uk, not fully revised) — 25 and 30 years; payment from 50; notice condition; commutation notice window; lump sum timing (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/3415), regulations 18, 27, 28, 37 and 82 — voluntary retirement at 55 and notice; ordinary pension and lump sum; exchange notice; lump sum within three months (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/445), regulations 50, 90, 92, 93 and 124 — early payment reduction; entitlement from 55; claim and notice periods; buy-out statement; commutation (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Public Service Pensions Act 2013, section 10 — normal pension age 60 for police (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023 (SI 2023/831), regulations 4 and 13, latest version — notify 6 to 3 months before; choose within 12 weeks of the statement; revoke up to 10 working days before payment (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Pensions (Increase) Act 1971, section 3 — increases on your own pension not paid before 55 unless retired on ill-health grounds or disabled (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Federation of England and Wales: BB Circular 007-2022, compulsory retirement ages (14 June 2022) — 1987 reg A18 and 2006 reg 19 ages; no compulsory retirement power in the 2015 scheme; not applied from 1 April 2022 (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Government Actuary's Department: Public service pension schemes, new CETV factors (GOV.UK, 16 June 2026) — SCAPE change on 19 May 2026; calculations suspended immediately; new CETV factors within 11 working days (accessed 1 October 2026)
- NPCC: Police Pension Scheme FAQs, change to the SCAPE discount rate (version 1, 20 May 2026; copy hosted by Warwickshire Police Federation) — what was paused; 1987 retirements on or after 21 May; revisiting lump sum decisions (accessed 1 October 2026)
- GAD Factor Guidance Hub: Police (England and Wales) consolidated factor workbooks — workbook 2026-03, 4 September 2026: 2015 early payment reduction factors implemented 1 August 2026 (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Federation of England and Wales: 1987 scheme lump sum, what's changed (27 May 2026) and actuarial factor update (17 July 2026) — quotes briefly suspended after 19 May 2026 and resuming; later factor reviews (accessed 1 October 2026)
- LPPA: police retirement guide — process takes at least two months; tell employer three months ahead; forms, payment letter, lump sum then first payment (accessed 1 October 2026)
- LPPA: pension lump sum — lump sum before first monthly payment, usually end of the month of retirement (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Metropolitan Police Pension Scheme (Equiniti): lump sum allowance declaration — benefits not paid until the declaration is completed (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Home Office: Police pension scheme 1987 members' guide (2006) — lump sums normally paid the first working day after retirement; commutation notice cannot be changed once effective (accessed 1 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: The new State Pension; check your State Pension forecast — forecast and NI record; contracted out before 2016 usually needs more than 35 qualifying years (accessed 1 October 2026)
- UK Parliament petitions: Let police officers retain their warrant cards on retirement (rejected 21 June 2017) — rejected as an operational policing matter (accessed 1 October 2026)
- HM Treasury/HMRC: increasing normal minimum pension age (4 November 2021) — rise to 57 from 6 April 2028 does not apply to police scheme members (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006, regulation 11 — injury award for a person who ceases or has ceased to be a member (accessed 1 October 2026)
- Police Federation of England and Wales: becoming a member — membership for serving constables to chief inspectors; group insurance requires membership (accessed 1 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
More in this guide series
Pension tools and guides
Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent reference site. It is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and this page is general information, not financial, tax or pension advice, and it cannot consider your personal circumstances. Pension and tax rules change and depend on your scheme, service and tax position: check your pension administrator's statement and, where sums are large or decisions hard to reverse, speak to an FCA-authorised adviser, Pension Wise (free guidance for defined contribution pensions only) or HMRC. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 1 October 2026.