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Election to change sections of the LGPS

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) allows you to save while you are working in order to enjoy a pension once you retire. It is one of the best occupational pension schemes in the UK. The LGPS is provided by your employer who meets a large part of the cost of providing the range of secure benefits, so it is a valuable and important part of your employment package.

However, it may be that for your own personal reasons, you wish to reduce or increase your contributions to the scheme.

The LGPS has two sections:

the main section
the 50/50 section

Both sections offer:

A pension that is secure and backed by law
A career average pension with a guaranteed level of retirement benefit
The option to exchange part of your pension for a tax-free lump sum on retirement
Voluntary retirement from age 55 (even though the scheme retirement age is state pension age or 65 if later)
An ill health pension from any age (which could be paid at an enhanced rate if ill health meant that you are incapable of gainful employment within three years of leaving)
Early payment of pension benefits if you are made redundant or retire on grounds of business efficiency at age 55 or over
The ability to take benefits from age 55 with your employer's consent if you continue in employment, but reduce your hours or grade, helping you ease into retirement (flexible retirement)
A death in service lump sum of three times your actual pay
Protection for your family on death, including either a widow's, widower's, civil partner's or cohabiting partner's pension as well as children's pensions
The index-linking of benefits to ensure they keep pace with the cost of living
The contributions you pay into the scheme attrat tax relief

None of these benefits are affected by a decision to move between sections of the LGPS.

However, if you do elect to change sections, your own pension benefit would be affected as shown below.

Main section

A member earing £10,000 per year pays into the main section of the scheme.

They pay contributions at a rate of 5.5% - this equates to a gross monthly deduction from their pay of £45.83.

If they remain a member of the main section for 1 year, they would build up the following amount of pension:

Pension = 1/49 x £10,000 = £204.08

Please complete the election form below to apply:

Election to join the main scheme (256 KB)

50/50 section

A member earing £10,000 per year pays into the 50/50 section of the scheme.

They pay contributions at a rate of 2.75% - this equates to a gross monthly deduction from their pay of £22.92.

If they remain a member of the main section for 1 year, they would build up the following amount of pension:

Pension = 1/98 x £10,000 = £102.04

A member paying into the 50/50 section is not able to pay additional pension contributions (APCs) except to cover authorised absence (for example maternity leave).

Please read the notes below before completing the form:

Notes on changing sections of the scheme (275 KB)

Title
Name

First

Last
Address
Email
National Insurance Number
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Employer's Name
Other - Employer (if not listed above)
Job Title (If you wish to change section of the scheme in more than one post, please enter all job titles and pay reference numbers in the boxes below).
Payroll or post reference number (if known)
I wish to join:
the 50/50 schemethe main scheme

Date of commencement of employment (dd/mm/yyy) (You cannot complete this form before your employment commences, please see the 50/50 election notes)
- • I have read and understood the notes overleaf.
- • I confirm that I wish to move to the 50/50 section in the job(s) I have indicated on this form.
- • I understand that during the period I am in the 50/50 section in that job I will only be building up half my normal pension in that job.
- • I understand the choices I make now are important in planning for my retirement and that if I elect to join the 50/50 section I will have a lower income when I retire than if I was a member of the main section of the LGPS.
- • I understand that any additional pension (APC) contract I have to purchase additional pension in the LGPS must cease (unless it is to purchase pension ‘lost’ during a period of authorised unpaid leave of absence or during a period of unpaid additional maternity, paternity or adoption leave).
- • I have not been forced or asked by my employer to elect to join the 50/50 section of the LGPS.
- • I am aware that at any time whilst I am eligible for membership of the LGPS I can choose to opt back into the main section of the LGPS by making an election to my employer.
- • I am aware that:
1. 1. if, during a pay period, I go onto no pay due to sickness or injury and I am still on no pay at the beginning of the next pay period, my employer will then move me back into the main section of the LGPS. On return to work I would have the right to make an election to move back to the 50/50 section if I wished to do so
2. 2. my employer is required to automatically put me back into the main section of the LGPS approximately three years from the date they first have to comply with the automatic enrolment provisions of the Pensions Act 2008 (and approximately every three years thereafter). I will have the right to make a further 50/50 election at that time if I wish to do so.
I understand all the above points.

Site information

External links

Pension Services Section

1 Staffordshire Place,

Tipping Street, Stafford
ST16 2DH
Tel: 01785 278222
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