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GUIDES AND FACT SHEETS FOR MEMBERS

 
The Fund publishes a number of guides and fact sheets to tell you about the main features of the Scheme, the type of benefits you can look forward to in retirement, and how soon you can draw them. We also look at what happens if you fall ill, are made redundant, or die.
 
We hope you find the guidance useful, whether retirement is many years away or just around the corner. We have deliberately used simple terms wherever possible in our guidance and avoided much technical detail which appears in the Scheme regulations. It is the actual regulations however which will be used in the event of any dispute or disagreement.
 
A Brief Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme
PDF Document JUNE 2009 (PDF, 24 pages, 722KB) Opens New Window
 
 
 
 
This guide is for those employees who were contributing members of the LGPS on 1 April 2008 or who have subsequently joined. It explains the benefits available to you when you join the Scheme, together with how the Scheme works, what it costs to join and the financial protection that it offers to you and your family.
Increasing your Benefits
PDF Document MARCH 2008 (PDF, 2 pages, 559KB) Opens New Window
 
 
 
 
This guide explores the options available to members when considering how to increase their benefits via a pension arrangement.
Councillors Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme
PDF Document MAY 2010 (PDF, 48 pages, 2.89MB) Opens New Window
 
 
 
 
This guide provides full information for those local councillors who are offered membership of the LGPS under their Council's scheme of allowances and who are under age 75.
Planning your Retirement
PDF Document AUGUST 2009 (PDF, 48 pages, 780KB) Opens New Window
 
 
 
 
You can look forward to enjoying a guaranteed package of benefits when you retire. In this guide, we look at how your retirement benefits are worked out and when you can retire if you pay into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008. 
The Dependants' Guide
PDF Document APRIL 2010 (PDF, 48 pages, 755KB) Opens New Window
 
 
 
 
In the main, this guide deals with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) benefits payable to dependants on the death of a Scheme member. It explains who is eligible, how to make a claim, the necessary documents you need to produce and the procedures to follow.
Fact Sheet 1: Reductions in Pay
Fact Sheet 1 - Reductions in Pay (PDF, 3 pages, 104KB)Download                                                                            
PDF Document JULY 2009 (PDF, 3 pages, 104KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet is intended for those whose level of pay is reduced by reasons other than a change in the hours worked.
Fact Sheet 2: Tax and your Benefits
PDF Document DECEMBER 2009 (PDF, 8 pages, 171KB) Opens New Window
 
In this fact sheet we look at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules that govern pension savings.
Fact Sheet 3: Contribution Bands
PDF Document FEBRUARY 2009 (PDF, 1 page, 96KB) Opens New Window
 
From 1 April 2009, the contribution rate will change for all members.
Fact Sheet 4: Your Pensions Choice
PDF Document OCTOBER 2008 (PDF, 8 pages, 220KB) Opens New Window
 
In this fact sheet we look at your pensions choice, who can join the LGPS and the cost of joining.
Fact Sheet 5: Pensions and Divorce/Dissolution
PDF Document OCTOBER 2008 (PDF, 4 pages, 110KB) Opens New Window
 
In this fact sheet, we look at what happens to your LGPS benefits if you get divorced or your civil partnership is dissolved.
Fact Sheet 6: Life Cover in the LGPS
Fact Sheet 6 - Life Cover (PDF, 6 pages, 99KB)Download
PDF Document JANUARY 2010 (PDF, 6 pages, 99KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet details how the Scheme provides valuable life cover and financial protection to your family in the event of your death.
Fact Sheet 7: Transferring Pension Rights
Fact Sheet 7 - Transferring Pension Rights (PDF, 4 pages, 102KB)Download
PDF Document JANUARY 2010 (PDF, 4 pages, 102KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet explains how members can transfer previous pension rights into the LGPS.
Fact Sheet 8: Leave of Absence
Fact Sheet 8 - Leave of Absence (PDF, 4 pages, 56KB)Download
PDF Document JANUARY 2010 (PDF, 4 pages, 56KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet explores how your membership in the LGPS could be affected and your benefits reduced if you are off work for any reason.
Fact Sheet 9: Leaving your job before Retirement
Fact Sheet 9 - Leaving your job before Retirement (PDF, 12 pages, 218KB)Download
PDF Document JANUARY 2010 (PDF, 12 pages, 218KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet looks at what happens to your LGPS benefits on leaving your job before retirement if you pay into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008.

 
Fact Sheet 10: Changes to Dependant's Benefits
Fact Sheet 10 - Changes to Dependant's Benefits (PDF, 4 pages, 136KB)Download
PDF Document FEBRUARY 2010 (PDF, 4 pages, 136KB) Opens New Window
 
This fact sheet explainins recent changes to the LGPS which may affect the survivor’s pension payable on your death if you are in a registered civil partnership or have nominated a cohabiting partner.