Can I rejoin the LGPS if I have been a member before?

If you rejoin the LGPS and you have deferred benefits in an LGPS fund in England or Wales (which you were awarded other than as a result of electing, on or after 11 April 2015, to opt out of membership of the scheme) your deferred benefits will normally be automatically joined with your new active pension account.

If you want to retain separate deferred benefits then you must make such an election within 12 months of rejoining the Scheme (or such longer period as your employer may allow).

If you have deferred benefits in an LGPS fund in England or Wales which you were awarded as a result of electing, on or after 11 April 2015, to opt out of membership of the scheme, you cannot join those benefits with your new active pension account. They will remain as a separate deferred benefit.

If you rejoin the LGPS in England and Wales and have a deferred refund, this must be joined with your new active pension account.

If you have deferred benefits in the LGPS in England and Wales and left the Scheme before 1 April 2014, or your deferred benefits include membership built up before 1 April 2014, please see the section If you joined the LGPS before 1 April 2014 for further information.

If you wish to transfer your previous LGPS pension rights you should contact the Fund as soon as possible to find out about this and about the matters you will need to consider in making your decision.

Pension rights built up as a councillor or mayor in England or Wales cannot be joined with rights built up as an employee in England or Wales and vice versa.