A change to the scheme rules has been made to provide that survivor benefits payable to a same sex spouse or a civil partner are equal those paid to the widow of a male member.

Last year The LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018 introduced the early payment of deferred benefits at age 55 for members who left active membership of the Scheme before 1 April 1998. A further change to the scheme rules has been made to allow these members to access their benefits early from the age of 55. I.e. at any point between age 55 and their Normal Retirement Date (NRD).