Pension News
October 2006
Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) For Deferred Members
We have commenced mailing the 2006 Annual Benefit Statements for deferred members. As a result of this, we are experiencing a very high volume of calls during this busy period. If you have not received your statement by 30 November 2006 please contact the Pensions Helpline.
If you are attempting to contact the Pensions Helpline with any query, please remain patient and we will deal with your call as quickly as possible.
Click below to see a sample PDF of this years statement.
Deferred Blank Statement 2006. (613KB)
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September 2006
Consultation on a new look Local Government Pension Scheme
On 30 June 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which now has responsibility for the LGPS, issued a consultation document entitled "Where Next? - Options for a new-look Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales".
Included in this document were a number of costed options for the new LGPS, which is to be introduced in April 2008.
Please click on the document below to view the response of the TWPF within their role as Administering Authority.
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"85 year rule" protections extended
New LGPS regulations have been issued and will come into force on 1st October 2006. As expected these regulations give added protection to existing members following the removal of the '85 year rule'. The level of protection depends on your age and is as follows:
All existing members at 30 September 2006 have protection on their
membership up to 31st March 2008. Additionally, the following protections will apply:
Members who will be age sixty before 31st March 2016 and would have
satisfied the '85 year rule' by that date, will receive protection up to 31st March 2016.
Members who will be age sixty between 1st April 2016 and 31st March 2020
and would have satisfied the '85 year rule' between these dates, will have any reductions tapered on a sliding scale, based on when they reach age sixty. Details of the sliding scale have yet to be released.
From 1st October 2006 the '85 year rule' will no longer apply to new members.
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Regulation and Consultation Update
Please click on the documents below for further information regarding a regulatory update and three consultation exercises, that have been launched by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
LGPS - Governance Arrangements (108KB)
Consultative discussion paper on Admitted Body Status (45KB)
LGE Update - Draft Compensation Regulations (15KB)
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August 2006
Pensions Fund Newsletter
This is the latest mailing to Pension Fund members. It deals with the recent changes to the LGPS, as well as changes from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concerning tax limits on pension contributions and benefits. This newsletter will be despatched to active members at the start of August.
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Consultation on a new look Local Government Pension Scheme
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) has been under review for a number of years. This review, known as the Stocktake, first led to a number of amendments to the LGPS regulations from April 2004.
On 30 June 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which now has responsibility for the LGPS, issued a consultation document entitled "Where Next? - Options for a new-look Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales".
Included in this document are a number of costed options for the new LGPS, which is to be introduced in April 2008.
Copies of this document, together with a covering letter and Jargon Free Questions and Answers document, can be found by clicking here.
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TWPF response to The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (Amendment) (No. 2 ) Regulations 2006.
Please click on the document below to view the response of the TWPF in relation to the above mentioned LGPS regulations.
TWPF response to The LGPS (Amendment) (No. 2 ) Regulations 2006.
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April 2006
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (Amendment) (No. 2 ) Regulations 2006.
On 30 March the Government made regulations amending the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Further information can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website. If you wish to view the draft regulations, please click here. Alternatively if you wish to view the accompanying consultation document, please click here.
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Pensions Increase 2006
The draft pensions increase for 2006 is 2.7 % effective from 10 April 2006.
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LGPS: Compliance with HMRC Tax Regime from April 2006
With the implementation of the new HMRC tax regime from 6 April 2006, the Employers Organisation for local government have issued information which compliments the ODPM's letters of 1 and 3 February 2006.
Employers Organisation for local government letter of 8 February 2006
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Compliance with HMRC Tax Regime from April 2006
Please note it is our normal practice to refer employers to the ODPM's website to obtain copies of their documents. To date their website has not been updated with the latest information. Therefore, on this occasion for ease of administration, we have published the following documents on the Fund's website.
ODPM Letter of 1 February 2006
ODPM Letter of 3 February 2006
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The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment)(No3) Regulations 2005: Addendum
Following the announcement of the draft regulations and consultation exercise, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has published an addendum to the draft regulations. This can be found on the ODPM's website at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/road/xoq83/addendum.htm
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The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment)(No3) Regulations 2005 - Consultation Draft
Following a statement made to Parliament on 2 December 2005 by the Minister for Local Government, Phil Woolas, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has commenced a consultation exercise and issued the draft regulations which propose further changes to the LGPS.
Copies of the draft regulations, a covering letter and written statement by the Minister for Local Government can be found on the ODPM's website at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/road/xoq83/whatsnew.htm
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February 2006
LGPS: Compliance with HMRC Tax Regime from April 2006
With the implementation of the new HMRC tax regime from 6 April 2006, the Employers Organisation for local government have issued information which compliments the ODPM's letters of 1 and 3 February 2006.
Employers Organisation for local government letter of 8 February 2006
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Compliance with HMRC Tax Regime from April 2006
Please note it is our normal practice to refer employers to the ODPM's website to obtain copies of their documents. To date their website has not been updated with the latest information. Therefore, on this occasion for ease of administration, we have published the following documents on the Fund's website.
ODPM Letter of 1 February 2006
ODPM Letter of 3 February 2006
December 2005
The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment)(No3) Regulations 2005: Addendum
Following the announcement of the draft regulations and consultation exercise, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has published an addendum to the draft regulations. This can be found on the ODPM's website at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/road/xoq83/addendum.htm
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The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment)(No3) Regulations 2005 - Consultation Draft
Following a statement made to Parliament on 2 December 2005 by the Minister for Local Government, Phil Woolas, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has commenced a consultation exercise and issued the draft regulations which propose further changes to the LGPS.
Copies of the draft regulations, a covering letter and written statement by the Minister for Local Government can be found on the ODPM's website at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/road/xoq83/whatsnew.htm
November 2005
Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) 2005
Please note the ABS exercise (for active members) is now in progress. Statements are mailing during November and December. If you have not received your statement by 31st January 2006 then please contact the Pensions Helpline on 0191 4244141.
Shown below are PDF's of the versions of text used in the statements, and the Annual Report which accompany the statements:
Text of Standard ABS including Combined Pension Forecast details.
Text of NILABS including Combined Pension Forecast details.
Members Annual Report 2004-2005.
October 2005
Proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
The Local Government Pensions Committee (LGPC) provides advice on the LGPS and related matters. They have recently issued the following circular regarding proposals for changes in LGPS, which may be of interest to you.
No.177 - October 2005
Proposals for changes to the LGPS in England and Wales
This circular has been issued to notify authorities for proposals to the LGPS that have been submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister by the Local Government Association.
The proposals are the result of consultations with employers, not just local authorities, since the Stoctake of the LGPS began in August 2001. They are a representation of elements of earlier submissions to the ODPM including responses to the ODPM’s consultation document- “Facing the Future”.
Circular 177 - Proposals for changes to the LGPS in England and Wales
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Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) For Deferred Members
We have commenced mailing the 2005 Annual Benefit Statements for deferred members. As a result of this, we are experiencing a very high volume of calls during this busy period. If you have not received your statement by 30 November 2005 please contact the Pensions Helpline.
If you are attempting to contact the Pensions Helpline with any query, please remain patient and we will deal with your call as quickly as possible.
Click below to see a sample PDF of this years statement.
Deferred Blank Statement 2005.
July 2005
Revocation of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004
On 13 July 2005, the Government laid Regulations before Parliament, which revoked most of the recent changes in the Scheme rules, which took effect on 1 April 2005. Apart from some minor amendments, which will stay in place, this effectively puts the Scheme rules back in the same position as they were on 31 March 2005.
In brief this means:
- The earliest age members may retire, on redundancy, efficiency, or early with their employer’s consent, returns to age 50.
- When a member’s age plus membership (whole calendar years) totals 85, they may retire with unreduced benefits from age 60, or from age 50 with their employers consent.
Looking Ahead
The Government is also in the process of undertaking a review of all the unfunded public service pension schemes to tackle the issues of increasing longevity, changing demographics and the consequential increases in pension costs. A series of meetings between the Government, the TUC affiliated trade unions and Employers (The Tri-Partite Committee) has begun.
The 1 April 2005 changes to the LGPS (which have now been revoked) were aimed at safeguarding the future of the LGPS by constraining costs. The intention was that the 1 April 2005 changes would pave the way for the next stage of the review to modernise the scheme, which would have seen a new-look LGPS introduced from 2008 to meet the needs of employers and the local government workforce, whilst representing good value for local and national tax payers. However, there will need to be a reassessment now that the 1 April 2005 changes have been revoked. The Tripartite Committee will consider what measures need to be put in place to ensure the LGPS remains affordable and sustainable in the long-term.
2005 Amendment Regulations - Covering Letter
April 2005
Pensions Increase 2005
From April 2005, pensions increase will be 3.1%. Click below for further information:
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Revocation of the 2005 LGPS Amendment Regulations
The government has issued Draft regulations that will, subject to statutory consultation, revoke the 2005 LGPS Amendment Regulations.
Click below to see:
2005 Amendment Regulations - Covering Letter
Please note that comments on the Draft must be submitted by May 31 2005.
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The LGPS (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has introduced changes to the LGPS under the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2004. These changes will come into force on 1 April 2005.
The document below provides a step by step guide as to how these changes may affect you.
How will the changes to the LGPS on 1 April 2005 affect me? (PDF doc 61.4KB)
March 2005
Proposed Strike cancelled.
For details of the news release made by John Prescott on 18 March 2005, please click here.
The Local Government Pension Scheme and Strike Action
The Fund has produced the leaflet 'Strike Action and Your Pension Rights' which is a brief, general guide explaining the effects of strike action on your pension rights.
Strike Action and Your Pension Rights (PDF doc 106.8KB)
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Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) For Deferred Members
We have commenced mailing the 2004 Annual Benefit Statements for deferred members. As a result of this, we are experiencing a very high volume of calls during this busy period. If you have not received your statement by 15 April 2005 please contact the Pensions Helpline.
If you are attempting to contact the Pensions Helpline with any query, please remain patient and we will deal with your call as quickly as possible.
Click below to see a sample PDF of this years statement.
Deferred Blank Statement 2004.
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"Affordability and Sustainability" key to the future of Local Government Pensions. [PDF doc.- 262.7KB)
This document provides details of the proposed Changes to the LGPS from 1 April 2008.
December 2004
Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) 2004
Please note the ABS exercise (for active members) is now complete. If you have not received your statement, then please contact the Pensions Helpline on 0191 4244141.
Shown below are PDF's of the versions of text used in the statements, and the surveys which accompany the statements:
Standard Text (active)- without combined pension forecast
Standard Text (active)- with combined pension forecast
Survey 2004 (active) - without combined pension forecast
Survey 2004 (active) - with combined pension forecast
October 2004
"Affordability and Sustainability" key to the future of Local Government Pensions. [PDF doc.- 262.7KB)
This document provides details of the proposed Changes to the LGPS from 1 April 2008.
August 2004
The LGPS (Amendment)(No.2) Regs. 2004 - The LGPC response to the draft changes proposed by the ODPM
The Local Government Pensions Committee has provided local authorities with a response to the draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2004. The draft regulations detailed the changes that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) propose to make to the LGPS.
Combining LGPS Membership - Final Pay Calculator
A Final Pay Calculator is available to assist you in deciding whether to combine/transfer previous periods of LGPS service. Compare your current pensionable earnings to pensionable earnings from your previous post, taking into account the rises in the cost of living.
July 2004
The Fund has issued a special edition of the 'Pension Planning' newsletter explaining the changes to the Scheme.
Combining Pension Benefits (Please read below before clicking here)
If you are already receiving a pension from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) at the same time as contributing to the LGPS in a current post, then you need to act now to retain the right to combine your pension benefits.
The changes to the Regulations remove the option to combine two periods of service after a period of re-employment. However, if you make a written election before 30 September 2004, you can claim the right to retain this option for as long as you stay in your current post.
April 2004
The LGPS (Amendment) Regs. 2004 - Details of Changes within the Scheme
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has introduced changes to the LGPS under the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2004.
Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2004
- Answers to FAQ's
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has produced this document in response to questions raised by scheme members, relating to changes in legislation.
March 2004
The House of Lords ruled that in certain cases part-time workers can claim past membership of Pension Funds as far back as 1976. If you have claimed to backdate your membership you can view the latest information from the Employers' Organisation for Local Government website. See Circulars 128, 138, 140, 140A, 140B, 143, 144, 152, 158, 158A, 159 and 160.