The earliest you can get your State Pension is when you reach your State Pension age. You'll have to wait to claim your State Pension if you retire before you reach that age.
A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.
The early retirement age in the UK is typically considered to be 55, as this is the minimum age at which most workplace and private pensions can be accessed. However, this is set to rise to 57 from 2028. It's important to note that the State Pension age is higher, currently at 66, and increasing to 67 by 2028.
What Is the Rule of 55? Under the terms of this rule, you can withdraw funds from your current job's 401(k) or 403(b) plan with no 10% tax penalty if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. (Qualified public safety workers can start even earlier, at 50.)