Employer Focus September 2021
A downloadable version of this newsletter is available below.
Employer Focus- September 2021 (240 KB)
ARE YOU PREPARED?
As previously advised, we require all Employers to retain hour changes and salary details for all employees, past and present who were members of the LGPS on the 1 April 2014.
Over the last 6 months, we have worked successfully with our software provider to establish a solution to identify the individual employees within scope. Once we have received the required data from employers we will be able to upload the missing data onto our pensions database.
Commencing in October 2021, Employer Data requests will be emailed to all key Employer contacts and we expect to have issued all requests for data by mid November 2021.
What should Employers expect:
- A Secure File Transfer (SFT) email from SPFData@staffordshire.gov.uk The email is informing you that there is a secure file transfer waiting for you via the link contained in it. You may also receive an access passcode in a separate email, to enable you to register and retrieve your files.
- The email will contain the following contents: Introduction Letter, Completion Guidance Notes, and a Data Template (partially completed with all the LGPS members we have linked to your organisation).
- The Data request will cover the period of 1 April 2014 up to 31 March 2021, for both contractual hours and service breaks, for both past and present employees (a further request for 2021/22 year end data will follow where required).
When to return the data?
3 months from the date of receipt of the request
We will use the nominated contact email for McCloud where one has been supplied for the Fund. If you want to provide us with a different contact name specifically for McCloud, please email martin.griffiths@staffordshire.gov.uk
Thank you to those Employers who have helped us with the first phase of the data testing, and already submitted data, we will continue to work closely with you as the data is processed.
At the end of August, we sent an e-mail to all scheme members who have registered on our online portal (MPP) to make them aware that their latest Annual Benefit Statement is now available to view on MPP.
Whilst we are very pleased that a significant number of members are registered to use the service, we are very keen to increase the number of MPP users. Registration will allow users to view their pension details, update their records and produce estimates for their own pension benefits.
Therefore, we would very much appreciate your assistance in cascading the following message via your internal email system, intranet site, news bulletins, notice boards etc.:
Draft email - Staffordshire Pension Fund - Your Annual Benefit Statement (ABS)
If you are a member of the Staffordshire Pension Fund, then your Annual Benefit Statement is now available online via My Pension Portal (MPP)
Your statement shows the value of your pension benefits as at 31 March 2021, together with a projection of your benefits at your Normal Pension Age (NPA).
Membership of the pension scheme provides much more than just a pension at retirement. It also provides valuable life cover and based on individual circumstances benefits for dependants; so it is important that you take the time to view your pension statement.
Did you know that MPP also enables you to easily run early retirement pensions estimates, even if retirement is years away. Remember it is never too early to start planning your financial future
If you have not yet registered for MPP and would like to do so, you can still apply on the Fund’s website for an activation code to be sent to your home address.
Keep up to date with your valuable pension benefits and register for MPP, by logging on today
If you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Martin Griffiths, Communication Officer
martin.griffiths@staffordshire.gov.uk
01785 276070