If you were previously a member of another public service pension scheme the transfer may be accepted under preferential rules known as the club transfer rules. These special terms apply provided you have not had a break in active membership of a public service pension scheme for more than 5 years.
Public service pension schemes include pension schemes for
- civil servants
- the armed forces
- teachers
- health service workers
- fire and rescue workers
- the police force
- the judiciary
- the LGPS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
If the transfer is accepted under the club transfer rules the amount of extra pension which is added to your pension account will normally be broadly equal to the amount of pension you had built up in your pension account with your previous pension scheme. The amount of pension that is added to your account will be adjusted to take into account any differences between the two schemes and will, whilst you are an active member of the LGPS, be increased by the revaluation rate that applied to your previous scheme.
The extra pension will be added to your pension account in the year that the transfer payment is received.
You have only 12 months from joining the LGPS to opt to transfer your previous pension rights, unless your employer and your administering authority allows you longer. This is a discretion and you can ask your employer and administering authority what their policy is on this matter.