Refund of contributions

The vesting period in the LGPS is 2 years. A vesting period is the minimum amount of time you need to be in the scheme to qualify for a pension.

You meet the 2 years vesting period if:

• you have been a member of the LGPS in England and Wales for 2 years, or
• you have brought a transfer of pension rights into the LGPS in England or Wales from a different occupational pension scheme or from a European pensions institution and the length of service you had in that scheme or institution was 2 or more years or, when added to the period of time you have been a member of the LGPS is, in aggregate, 2 or more years, or
• you already hold a deferred benefit or are receiving a pension from the LGPS in England or Wales (other than a survivor's pension or pension credit member's pension).

If you leave the pension scheme with less than two years’ membership you’re entitled to a refund of your pension contributions, less deductions for tax. The contributions your employer has paid will not be refunded. 

You’ll also have the option of transferring your pension rights to another pension scheme if you want to.