ACTIVE MEMBERS' NEWS 2009

DECEMBER
1-6 of 6 items
THE FUND has revised Fact Sheet 2 in its series of guidance notes for LGPS members. Fact Sheet 2 explains the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules that govern pension savings.
 
THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES & LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DCLG) has published draft propsals to amend the LGPS in 2010. Comments are invited to be received no later than Thursday 18 March 2010.
THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DCLG) has issued guidance explaining the regulatory position provided for in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations 2008 [2008/239] (as amended) about how external providers, such as companies or third sector organisations, can be admitted to the LGPS.
The LGPS (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2009The LGPS (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2009
THE LGPS (MISCELLANEOUS) REGULATIONS 2009 have now been made under powers contained in section 7, 12 and 24 of the Superannuation Act 1972. The new regulations come into force on 31 December 2009.
Annual Benefit Statements for Active Members 2009Annual Benefit Statements 2009
ANNUAL BENEFIT STATEMENTS were posted in the week commencing 14 December 2009 to those Scheme members who were already members of the LGPS as at 1 April 2009. Those employees who were not already members at 1 April 2009 will receive their first statement as part of next year’s run.
THE LGPS (MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT OF FUNDS) REGULATIONS 2009 have now been made under powers contained in section 7 of the Superannuation Act 1972. These new regulations come into force on 1 January 2010.
NOVEMBER
1-1 of 1 items
In August, the Fund launched a consultation with all employers about the draft version of its new Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS).The PAS was duly ratified at the November meeting of Pensions Committee and is now in operation.
OCTOBER
1-3 of 3 items
Merseyside Pension Fund has published its Report & Accounts for the Year 2008/09. The Fund reports that notwithstanding the most difficult market conditions for 35 years, its long-term investment performance continues to remain strong.
Post StrikePostal Strike
Due to industrial action there will be disruption to Royal Mail postal services between Thursday October 29 and Saturday October 31 2009. Anyone who needs to send information to the Fund or are expecting correspondence from the Fund should be aware of the delays that this may cause.
After consultation with all relevant interested parties and in accordance with The Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004, the Fund has published its 2009 Funding Strategy Statement (FSS).
SEPTEMBER
1-2 of 2 items
THE FUND explains its policy towards performance-related payments to Investment Managers.
MERSEYSIDE PENSION FUND has joined some of the world’s largest global investors in a call for strong action from international policy makers in the fight against global warming.
AUGUST
1-1 of 1 items
New Retirement Guide 2009NEW Retirement Guide 2009
THE FUND has published the 2009 edition of its 'Planning your Retirement' guide for LGPS members who are approaching retirement.
JULY
1-3 of 3 items
THE LATEST ISSUE of our newsletter for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) members, beeline has been published. This edition leads on the Fund being highly ranked in a report ranking pension funds in their responsible investment together with a wide range of other pension related articles.
THE FUND ACTUARY, Mercer, has published a document discussing the key issues emerging from the pensions, benefits and savings measures contained in the Finance Act 2009 given Royal Assent last week.
THE FUND has revised Fact Sheet 1 in its series of guidance notes for LGPS members. Fact Sheet 1 is intended for those whose level of pay is reduced by reasons other than a change in the hours worked.
JUNE
1-3 of 3 items
You can now view an updated video giving an overview of the Local Government Pension Scheme. The video contains full details of the Scheme's wide range of benefits, together with full details of how much you pay in contributions from 1 April 2009.

New Brief GuideNEW Brief Guide to the LGPS
THE FUND has published a new version of it's Brief Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme for active members of the Scheme.
MAY
1-3 of 3 items
THE FUND has been ranked fourth in an examination of the responsible investment policy, practice and transparency of the UK’s largest occupational schemes by FairPensions.
DCLG has laid new Amendment Regulations before Parliament.
APRIL
1-3 of 3 items
Fund Governance Compliance StatementNew Governance Compliance Statement 
THE FUND has published an updated Governance Compliance Statement.
THE FUND has published its 2009 Communications Policy.
THE FUND has published a new poster informing members of the new earnings bands used to determine the contribution rate they will pay from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.
MARCH
1-3 of 3 items
THE FUND has published the new edition of its Promotional Leaflet.
THE FUND has published a short paper produced by the Fund Actuary, Mercer, which provides additional background commentary on the Quantitative Easing (QE) policy announced recently by the Bank of England, and its impact on pension schemes.
MERSEYSIDE PENSION FUND has joined with other investors, including North Yorkshire County Council Pension Fund, in litigation action against the Royal Bank of Scotland.
FEBRUARY
1-3 of 3 items
IN ACCORDANCE with the Statement of Investment Principles, the Fund voted on all of its internally managed UK and European equity holdings, in accordance with the recommendations provided by our consultant PIRC Ltd.
 
THE FUND has published its Top 100 holdings by market value as at 31 December 2008.
THE FUND was featured in the recent Channel 4 programme 'Chickens, Hugh and Tesco Too' as a supporter of the campaign by popular TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to improve the basic welfare standards of chickens sold by the retailer.
JANUARY
1-3 of 3 items
THE GOVERNMENT has responded to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Report into the prudential regulation of the Equitable Life Assurance Society from 1988 to December 2001.
THE LATEST ISSUE of our newsletter for Local Government Pension Scheme members, beeline has been published. This edition leads on the current world financial crisis.
THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DCLG) has published Regulations made on 16 December 2008 under powers contained in sections 7 and 12 of the Superannuation Act 1972 and laid before Parliament on 23 December 2008.