Frequently Asked Questions about paying extra contributions

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Can my employer award me any extra benefits?

Your employer, at their discretion, can award additional annual pension up to £7,579.

This can be awarded to you if you are an active member or within six months of leaving the Scheme if you leave on the grounds of redundancy or business efficiency. You can ask your employer what their policy is on this.
 
Your employer can also, at their discretion, pay into your AVC scheme arranged through the LGPS (in-house AVCs). This is known as a shared cost AVC arrangement.

What happens if I pay extra and elect for the 50/50 option?

If you move from the main section of the Scheme to the 50/50 section, certain rules apply. For more information, please click here.

What if I'm paying extra and I am absent from work?

The rules that apply if you are paying extra contributions and you are absent from work are covered in the section How could my LGPS benefits be affected if I am off work?

Do the tax rules on pension savings limit the extra I can pay?

Yes. There are HM Revenue and Customs controls on the total amount of contributions you can make into all pension arrangements and receive tax relief.

For more information, please click here.