Frequently Asked Questions about the 50/50 section

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Who can elect for 50/50?

As a member of the LGPS you can elect to pay into the 50/50 section at any time after you have joined.

An election to join this section must be made to your employer by completing an election form.

There is no limit to the number of times you can elect to move between the main and the 50/50 section, and vice versa. Your election once received by your employer takes effect from your next available pay period.

What does my election for 50/50 need to include?

You need to make a written election to your employer to move to the 50/50 section of the LGPS.

The 50/50 election form can be downloaded here and must be completed and returned to your employer.

If you have more than one job in which you contribute to the Scheme you must specify in which of the jobs you wish to be moved to the 50/50 section.

When you make an election for the 50/50 section your employer must provide you with information on the effect this will have on your benefits in the Scheme.

What happens to life cover and ill health cover when you are in the 50/50 section?

In the 50/50 section you build up half your normal pension because you are paying half your normal contributions.

However, if you were to die in service the lump sum death grant and any survivor pensions would be worked out as if you were in the main section of the Scheme.

If you are awarded an ill health pension under Tier 1 or Tier 2 whilst in the 50/50 section, the amount of any ill health enhancement added to your pension is worked out as if you were in the main section of the LGPS.

How long can I remain in the 50/50 section?

The 50/50 section is designed to be a short-term option for when times are tough financially.

Because of this, your employer is required to re-enrol you back into the main section of the Scheme every three years. This will be carried out in line with your employer’s automatic re-enrolment date.

Your employer will tell you when this is if you’re in the 50/50 section. If you wish to continue in the 50/50 section at that point you would need to complete another election form to remain in that section of the Scheme.

If you are in the 50/50 section and move onto a period of no pay due to sickness or injury, or no pay during a period of ordinary maternity leave, ordinary adoption leave or paternity leave then you will be moved back into the main section of the LGPS from your next pay period if you are still not in receipt of pay at that time.

If you are in the 50/50 section you can choose to rejoin the main section of the Scheme at any time by completing an election form and returning to your employer.

If you have more than one job in which you contribute to the Scheme you must specify in which of the jobs you wish to be moved back to the main section. You will then start to build up full benefits in the main section from the next available pay period after your employer receives your election.

What does my employer pay if I'm in the 50/50 section?

Your employer continues to pay their normal contribution rate (not half their normal rate) when you are in the 50/50 section of the Scheme.

What if I'm currently paying extra contributions or might wish to do so in the future - is this possible when in the 50/50 section?

As the 50/50 section is considered a short term option for use in times of financial difficulty, it's not expected that you will remain in the section for a long period of time.

The rules of the Scheme do not therefore permit you to pay additional contributions in certain circumstances when you are in the 50/50 section. For more information, please click here.