News and Updates
» 2024
| 30 October - Bulletin 256 October 2024 published today We have published LGPC Bulletin 256. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 22 October - Communications Working Group minutes published Minutes of the Communications Working Group meeting held on 3 October 2024 are available on the Communications Working Group page. |
| 14 October - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 4 October 2024 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 4 October 2024 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 11 October - Part 2 of McCloud administrator guide published We have published part 2 of the McCloud administrator guide. You can find this on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 30 September - September bulletin published We have published LGPC Bulletin 255. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 19 September - McCloud public service pensions history forms published We have published a new McCloud form. The public service pensions history forms can be used to collect information about previous pensions from members that may affect their McCloud protection. You can find the template on the Administrator guides and documents page. Please read the administrator notes carefully before using the form. |
| 30 August - August bulletin published We have published LGPC Bulletin 254. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 28 August - Pension awareness week - slide deck published We have published a template Powerpoint presentation for Scheme members that administering authorities may use during Pension Awareness Week, which starts on 9 September 2024. The presentation can be used for online or in-person events. Funds may wish to adapt the presentation to use at other times of the year. You can find the template Pension Awareness Week 2024 presentation on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 15 August - MHCLG issues new flexible retirement guidance The new guidance covers how the McCloud remedy affects flexible retirement calculations and confirms the death grant calculation for a member who dies after flexible retirement. You can find the guidance on the Actuarial guidance page. |
| 02 August - version 1.0 of Dashboards Connection guide and AVCs & Dashboards administrator guide published today We have today published version 1.0 of the Pensions Dashboards Connection guide and version 1.0 of the AVCs and Pensions Dashboards administrator guide. You can find these guides on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 31 July - GAD publishes McCloud interest calculator GAD has produced a calculator to work out the interest due on retrospective payments made because of the McCloud remedy. You can find the calculator and a user guide in the McCloud section of the Actuarial guidance page. |
| 31 July - Annual benefit statement technical guide updated We have updated the annual benefit statement (ABS) technical guide. The latest version (v3.0) reflects our understanding of the ABS requirements from 2025 onwards, taking into account McCloud and pensions dashboards. You can find the guide on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 31 July - July bulletin published We have published LGPC Bulletin 253. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 30 July - FAQs on backdated pay awards updated We have published an updated version of the employer FAQs on backdated pay awards. We have added a question about the calculation of APP and backdated pay. You can find the latest version on the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 29 July - Communications Working Group minutes published Minutes of the Communications Working Group meeting held on 4 July 2024 are available on the Communications Working Group page. |
| 28 June - Bulletin 252 published We have published LGPC Bulletin 252. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 26 June - New version of McCloud transfer calculator We have today published a new version of the 2024/25 spreadsheet for calculating the McCloud element of a CETV. We have corrected an error in the previous version that stopped calculations for members with an underpin date in the current year being processed. You can find version 1.1 of the McCloud non-Club transfer calculator 2024/25 on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 25 June - Version 2.3 of the abolition of the LTA administrator guide published We have published version 2.3 of the Abolition of the LTA technical guide on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 13 June - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 7 June 2024 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 7 June 2024 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 31 May - Bulletin 251 May 2024 published today We have published LGPC Bulletin 251. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 15 May - Version 2.2 of the abolition of the LTA administrator guide published We have published version 2.2 of the Abolition of the LTA technical guide on the Administrator guides and documents page located under Pensions Tax. The guide has been updated to reflect the transitional provisions for paying PCELSs. |
| 08 May - 2024/25 version of McCloud calculator published We have published a 2024/25 version of the spreadsheet to calculate the McCloud element of a non-Club transfer value. You can find the calculator on the Administrator guides and documents page. Use the filter on the right hand side of the page and select status - 'Old' if you need to find the 2023/24 version of the calculator. |
| 30 April - Bulletin 250 April 2024 published today We have published LGPC Bulletin 250. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 26 April - Version 2.1 of the abolition of the LTA technical guide and version 1.0 of the declaration form published today We have published version 2.1 of the Abolition of the LTA technical guide and version 1.0 of the 'Previous pension benefits declaration form' available on the Administrator guides and documents page located under Pensions Tax |
| 24 April - Communications Working Group minutes published Minutes of the Communications Working Group meeting held on 11 April 2024 are available on the Communications Working Group page. |
| 02 April - Version 2.0 of the abolition of the LTA technical guide and declaration form published today We have published version 2.0 of the Abolition of the LTA technical guide and a draft version of the 'Previous pension benefits declaration form' available on the Administrator guides and documents page located under Pensions Tax |
| 28 March - Bulletin 249 March 2024 published We have published LGPC Bulletin 249. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 27 March - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 8 March 2024 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 8 March 2024 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 22 March - Abolition of the LTA technical guide and declaration form published today We have published the Abolition of the LTA technical guide and a draft version of the 'Previous pension benefits declaration form' available on the Administrator guides and documents page located under Pensions Tax |
| 13 March - Annual update bulletin published We have published the Annual update bulletin for 2024 (Bulletin 248) which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 29 February - Bulletin 247 February 2024 published We have published LGPC Bulletin 247. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 21 February - McCloud non-Club calculator published We have published a calculator that can be used to calculate the McCloud element of a non-Club transfer value. You can find the calculator on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 01 February - January LGPC bulletin published We have published LGPC Bulletin 246. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 25 January - HMT announces 2024 revaluation and indexation rates A HMT written ministerial statement confirms that active pension accounts will be revalued by 6.7% in April 2024. The same increase will apply to deferred pensions and pensions in payment. You can find the pensions increase multiplier tables on the Related legislation page. |
| 25 January - New GAD guidance published DLUHC has issued new actuarial guidance today. The guidance does not include any new actuarial factors, but does provide information about how the McCloud remedy will affect certain calculations. You can find the new GAD guidance covering individual incoming and outgoing transfers, early and late retirement, and an addendum for interfund transfers on the Actuarial guidance page. |
» 2023
| 22 December - Bulletin 245 December 2023 published We have published LGPC Bulletin 245. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 12 December - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 8 December 2023 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 8 December 2023 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 29 November - Bulletin 244 November 2023 published We published LGPC Bulletin 244 on 29 November 2023. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 15 November - McCloud administrator guide published We have published part 1 of the McCloud administrator guide. You can find this on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 14 November - SCAPE rate change - transitional arrangements table updated We have published an updated version of the transitional arrangements table. The new version includes amendments for non-club transfers in. You can find the transitional arrangements table and links to GAD factors and guidance on the Actuarial guidance page |
| 06 November - LGPS Pensions Dashboards connection guide published today We have published the draft LGPS Pensions Dashboards connection guide. You can find this on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 31 October - Bulletin 243 October 2023 published We published LGPC Bulletin 243 on 31 October 2023. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 05 October - Timeline regulations updated We have updated the LGPS Regulations 2013 and LGPS Transitional Regulations 2014 to reflect the rule changes to introduce the McCloud remedy to the Scheme from 1 October 2023. |
| 05 October - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 29 September 2023 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 29 September 2023 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 02 October - SCAPE rate change - fourth set of revised factors published We have published an updated version of the transitional arrangements table. The new version covers the latest batch of GAD factors which are in force from 2 October 2023. You can find the transitional arrangements table and links to GAD factors and guidance on the Actuarial guidance page |
| 02 October - Revised Club memorandum published - effective from 1 October 2023 We have published a revised version of the Club memorandum effective from 1 October 2023. You can find the clean and track changes versions of the Club memorandum on the Other Government documents page |
| 28 September - Bulletin 242 September 2023 published today We published LGPC Bulletin 242 on 28 September 2023. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 12 September - LGA respond to the policy paper on abolishing the LTA You can see our response on the none-scheme consultations page |
| 11 September - McCloud regulations laid The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has laid The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2023. The regulations come into force on 1 October 2023 and implement the McCloud remedy. |
| 31 August - Bulletin 241 August 2023 published today We published LGPC Bulletin 241 on 31 August 2023. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 08 August - Aggregation template letters published We have published a new document including template letters and guides for members with an aggregation option. You can find the Aggregation - Member template letters and guides on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 03 August - SCAPE rate change - transitional arrangements table updated We have published an updated version of the transitional arrangements table. The new version covers the latest batch of GAD factors which are in force from 28 July 2023. You can find the transitional arrangements table and links to GAD factors and guidance on the Actuarial guidance page |
| 31 July - Bulletin 240 published We published LGPC Bulletin 240 on 31 July 2023. You can find the latest edition and past bulletins on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 24 July - Communications Working Group minutes published We have published the minutes of the Communications Working Group meeting held on 6 July 2023. You can find the minutes from this and previous meetings on the Communications Working Group page |
| 18 July - Abolition of lifetime allowance consultation On 18 July, HMRC launched a consultation on abolishing the pensions lifetime allowance. The consultation includes draft legislation and closes on 12 September 2023. |
| 30 June - LGA respond to the McCloud supplementary issues and regulations consultation You can view our response on the Scheme consultations page. |
| 30 June - Bulletin 239 June 2023 published today We have published Bulletin 239 – June 2023. This is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 21 June - Revised June 2023 Transitional Measures table published Revised June 2023 Transitional Measures table published setting out the use of new CRA factors for Club transfers effective from 1 June 2023. This is available on the Actuarial guidance page. |
| 20 June - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 9 June 2023 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 9 June 2023 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 12 June - Written Ministerial Statement on delays to dashboards connection deadlines On 8 June 2023, Laura Trott, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions, published written ministerial statement, giving an update on pensions dashboards. The statement confirms the Department for Work and Pensions (D W P) has laid the draft Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023. The draft regulations remove the phased staging timeline, replacing it with a single connection deadline of 31 October 2026. The regulations will allow the D W P and the Money and Pensions Service to issue guidance setting out a staged connection timeline for individual schemes, to which administering authorities must have regard. MaPS aim to collaborate with industry on this guidance later this year. |
| 31 May - Bulletin 238 May 2023 published today We have published Bulletin 238 – May 2023. This is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 30 May - DLUHC launches McCloud consultation On 30 May 2023, DLUHC launched a consultation on the McCloud remedy in the LGPS - supplementary issues and draft scheme regulations. You can find links to the consultation on the Scheme consultations page. The consultation will close on 30 June 2023, with final regulations in force for 1 October 2023. |
| 24 May - HMRC publishes consultation on second set of McCloud tax regulations The draft Public Service Pension Schemes (Rectification of Unlawful Discrimination) (Tax) (No.2) Regulations provide further clarification about how pension tax rules will apply for members affected by McCloud remedy. The consultation closes on 19 June 2023. |
| 28 April - Bulletin 237 April 2023 published We have published Bulletin 237 – April 2023. This is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 14 April - Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide v2.4 published Version 2.4 of the non-club transfer out technical guide has been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 31 March - Bulletin 236 March 2023 published today We have published Bulletin 236 – March 2023 containing important articles on the SCAPE discount rate and the Lifetime allowance. This is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 27 March - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 10 March 2023 published Minutes and the meeting documents of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 10 March 2023 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 22 March - Annual update bulletin published We have published the Annual update bulletin for 2023 (Bulletin 235) which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 17 March - Bulletin 234A (annual revaluation) published Special bulletin 234A looks at the impact of the annual revaluation date change. It is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 10 March - Judgment on including McCloud remedy in cost cap mechanism handed down On 10 March 2023, the High Court ruled that HM Treasury's decision to include the McCloud remedy in the cost cap mechanism was not unlawful. The unions are seeking permission to appeal. |
| 09 March - DLUHC respond to the revaluation date change consultation DLUHC has today responded to the consultation on changing the revaluation date. The response confirms that it will be proceeding with the change. Regulations have been published which take effect on 31 March 2023. We are currently working on a special bulletin which we aim to publish by the end of next week. This will set out the impact of the change. We will update the timeline regulations by 31 March. |
| 03 March - SAB publish McCloud data issues guidance You can view the guidance on the administrator guides and documents page. The guidance sets out what options administering authorities in England and Wales may consider if they are unable to collect the data needed to implement the McCloud remedy. It covers both missing data and data the authority is not confident is accurate. The guidance should be read in conjunction with the legal advice provided by Eversheds on McCloud data issues – this is referenced within the guidance document. |
| 02 March - Written Ministerial Statement on delays to dashboards connection deadlines On 2 March 2023, DWP published a written ministerial statement confirming delays to the delivery of pensions dashboards. |
| 28 February - LGPC Bulletin 234 (February 2023) published We have published Bulletin 234 – February 2023 - which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 24 February - LGA publish response to the revaluation date change consultation We have published our response to DLUHC's consultation on changing the revaluation date in the LGPS from 1 to 6 April. You can view our response on the scheme consultations page. |
| 22 February - Written Ministerial Statement on revaluation and indexation On 20 February 2023, HM Treasury published a written ministerial statement confirming the rates of annual revaluation, earnings and pensions increase due to apply in April 2023. The statement confirms the effective date of revaluation in the LGPS will be 6 April 2023, subject to consultation. |
| 14 February - LGPC response to TPRs Dashboards compliance and enforcement policy published We have published our response to TPR's Dashboards compliance and enforcement policy. You can view the response on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 10 February - Consultation on changing the revaluation date issued DLUHC has issued a consultation on changing the in scheme revaluation date from 1 to 6 April, with effect from 1 April 2023. The proposed change will remove the impact of high inflation on the annual allowance and reduce the number of members incurring a tax charge. The consultation runs for two weeks and closes on 24 February 2023. You can view the consultation on the Scheme consultations page. DLUHC is asking that respondents use the online consultation link to respond. This will allow responses to be analysed more efficiently and quickly. |
| 31 January - January 2023 bulletin published We have published Bulletin 233 – January 2023 - which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 30 January - version 2.3 of non-club transfers out technical guide published Version 2.3 of the non-club transfer out technical guide has been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 06 January - LGA respond to McCloud tax regulations consultation We have published our response to HMRC's consultation on The Public Services Pension Schemes (Rectification of Unlawful Discrimination) (Tax) Regulations 2023. You can view the response on the non-scheme consultations page. |
» 2022
| 30 December - December 2022 bulletin published We have published Bulletin 232 - December 2022 - which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 13 December - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 9 December 2022 published Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 9 December 2022 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 30 November - Bulletin 231 published We have published Bulletin 231 - November 2022 - which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 28 October - Bulletin 230 October 2022 published We have published Bulletin 230 October 2022, which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 17 October - Government responds to the Pensions Dashboards further consultation In its response, the Government confirmed the Secretary of State must issue a formal notice specifying the Dashboard Available Point (DAP) at least six months before it will occur. This is opposed to the 90 days which was proposed in the consultation. The proposals on the disclosure of information will proceed as planned. |
| 29 September - Bulletin 229 September 2022 published We have published Bulletin 229 September 2022 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 20 September - Communications Working Group meeting minutes published The minutes from the Communications Working Group meeting held on 6 September 2022 have been published. You can find the Group's workplan and minutes from the most recent and earlier meetings on the Communications Working Group page. |
| 12 September - Revised technical query log published for England & Wales We have revised our list of technical queries we have outstanding with DLUHC so that the queries are grouped within regulatory order within each category. The list can be found on the Technical Group page. |
| 07 September - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 2 September 2022 published Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 2 September 2022 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 31 August - LGA respond to PDP's consultation on pension dashboards standards We have published our response to PDP's consultation on standards. You can view the response on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 31 August - Bulletin 228 published We have published Bulletin 228 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 02 August - Digital engagement technical guide published We have today published a digital engagement guide. The guide is based on experiences of administering authorities that operate an online portal for scheme members. We produced the guide in partnership with the Communications Working Group, and we would like to extend our thanks to the group for all their hard work on this project. You can find the guide on the Administrator guides and documents page |
| 29 July - McCloud update from DLUHC The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has issued an update on McCloud. See LGPC Bulletin 227 for more information. |
| 29 July - Bulletin 227 July 2022 published today We have published Bulletin 227 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 21 July - TPR transfer warning letter version 2.0 published TPR transfer warning letter has now been published and is available on the TPR page. |
| 21 July - Non Club Transfer Out Technical guide version 2.2 & QROPS addendum version 1.2 published Version 2.2 of the non-club transfer out technical guide and version 1.2 of the transfers out QROPS addendum has now been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 19 July - LGA response to the Pensions dashboards: further consultation published We have published our response to the Pensions dashboards: further consultation. You can view the response on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 19 July - Pensions dashboards standards consultation published The Pensions Dashboards Programme has launched a consultation on standards. The purpose of the standards is to ensure the security, stability and effective operation of dashboards. The consultation runs from 19 July 2022 to 30 August 2022. See the non-scheme consultations page for a link to the consultation documents. |
| 14 July - Pensions dashboards - LGPS connection deadline confirmed The Government has responded to the consultation on the draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations 2022. The response confirms the connection deadline for public service pension schemes, including the LGPS, is deferred from 30 April 2024 to 30 September 2024. It also confirms the requirement to provide value data (accrued and projected pension values) will not apply until 1 April 2025. |
| 11 July - Communication Working Group minutes published The minutes from the meeting held on 5 July 2022 are available to view on the Communications Working Group page . |
| 29 June - Bulletin 226 June 2022 published today We have published Bulletin 226 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 27 June - LGPC draft minutes published The draft minutes from the LGPC meeting of 6 June 2022 are available to view on the LGPC minutes page. |
| 21 June - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 17 June 2022 published Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 17 June 2022 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 07 June - Payroll guide and Lifetime allowance factsheet published We have today published new versions of the Lifetime allowance factsheet and Payroll guide. You can find the latest versions of all our administrator guides on the Administrator guides and documents page. You can find the Payroll guide and all other employer documents on the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 31 May - New versions of guides published We have today published new versions of the Annual allowance factsheet, Full guide for councillors, Update for councillors in England, Introductory leaflet for councillors in Wales, Employees' brief guide, Retirement planning guide and HR guide. You can find the latest versions of all our administrator guides on the Administrator guides and documents page. You can find the HR guide and all other employer documents on the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 31 May - Bulletin 225 published We have published Bulletin 225 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 16 May - DLUHC publish special severance payment guidance On 12 May 2022, DLUHC published statutory guidance on the making and disclosure of special severance payments by local authorities in England. The guidance sets out the criteria employers should consider in the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to make a special severance payment. It also the clarifies the disclosure and reporting requirements. |
| 29 April - Bulletin 223 April 2022 published We have published Bulletin 223 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 07 April - Revised GAD query logs published for E&W and Scotland Revised GAD query logs have been published for both England & Wales and Scotland. Theses are available on the Actuarial guidance page. |
| 01 April - Mandatory Scheme Pays deadlines are changing on 6 April 2022 The Finance Act 2022 and the Registered Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 (‘the new regulations’) will change the timescale for members to make or amend a mandatory scheme pays election when paying an annual allowance charge, with effect from 6 April 2022. The changes will apply when the information used to calculate a member’s pension input amount is retrospectively amended. |
| 01 April - Transfers out version 1.1 QROPS addendum published Version 1.1 of the non-club transfer out QROPS addendum has now been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 31 March - Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide v2.1 published Version 2.1 of the non-club transfer out technical guide has now been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 30 March - Bulletin 222 March 2022 published today We have published Bulletin 222 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 29 March - Annual update bulletin published We have published the Annual update bulletin for 2022 (Bulletin 221) which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 17 March - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 11 March 2022 published Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 11 March 2022 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 15 March - LGA responds to the draft Registered Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022 The LGA has responded to the draft Registered Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022. You can find links to the consultation documents and the LGA response on the Non-Scheme consultations page. |
| 08 March - LGA responds to DWP consultation on the Pensions Dashboards Regulations 2022 The LGA has responded to the DWP consultation on the draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations 2022. You can find links to the consultation documents and the LGA response on the Non-Scheme consultations page. |
| 01 March - LGPC Bulletin 220 published LGPC Bulletin 220 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 14 February - DWP call for evidence on State Pension age DWP has launched a call for evidence as part of Baroness Neville-Rolfe's independent review of the State Pension age. You can find a link to the call for evidence on the Non-scheme consultations page |
| 08 February - Communication Working Group minutes published The minutes from the Communications Working Group (CWG) meeting that took place on 11 January 2022 are available to view on the CWG page. |
| 31 January - LGPC Bulletin 219 (January 2022) published LGPC Bulletin 219 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 31 January - DWP consult on draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations DWP have launched a consultation on the draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations. The consultation closes on 13 March 2022 and is available on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 19 January - Transfers out QROPS and AVCs addendums published We have published a QROPS and an AVCs addendum relating to the Conditions for Transfers Regulations 2021, on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 17 January - Government responds to Stronger Nudge to pensions guidance consultation The Government has responded to the DWP consultation on a Stronger Nudge to pensions guidance. The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) (Requirements to Refer Members to Guidance etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 come into force from 1 June 2022. You can find links to the consultation documents, the Government response and the Regulations on the Non-Scheme consultations page. The Government's consultation response suggests that there have been changes to the proposals that were originally consulted on. We will provide an update on the impact on LGPS members with an in-house AVC once we have had chance to study the Regulations. We do not expect these changes to affect members taking or transferring their LGPS pension if they do not have an LGPS AVC. |
| 07 January - Judicial Review of McCloud remedy dismissed The Police Superintendent's Association (PSA) brought a judicial review against the government in relation to HM Treasury's consultation on the McCloud remedy. This consultation did not apply to the LGPS. On 15 December 2021, the judgment was handed down and the claim for judicial review dismissed. This case has no impact on the LGPS. |
» 2021
| 22 December - LGPC Bulletin 218 (December 2021) published LGPC Bulletin 218 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 17 December - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 7 December 2021 published Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 7 December 2021 are published and available on the Technical Group page. |
| 17 December - New Transfer Out documentation and Non-club technical guide published Version 2.0 of the non-club transfer out technical guide, version 2.0 of the transfer out initial enquiry letter, version 1.0 of the transfer out initial enquiry letter for AVCs and Pension Credits, version 1.0 of the confirmation of transfer payment letter and version 1.0 of the refusal to transfer letter has now been published and is available on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 16 December - DLUHC publish Section 13 report Today, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published GAD's report on the 2019 fund valuations which is required by section 13 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013. |
| 01 December - LGPC Bulletin 216 published LGPC Bulletin 216 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 10 November - Government responds to pension scam consultation The Government has responded to the pension scam consultation which can be found on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 29 October - LGPC Bulletin 215 (October 2021) published LGPC Bulletin 215 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 08 October - HMT publishes Directions on the 2016 scheme valuations HM Treasury has published The Public Service Pensions (Valuations and Employer Cost Cap) (Amendment) Directions 2021. These amending Directions set out how schemes must carry out the cost control element of the 2016 valuations. You can find links to the Directions and Gov.uk webpage in the Directions and guidance section of the Related legislation page. |
| 06 October - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 1 October 2021 published The minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 1 October 2021 have been published. They can be found on the Technical group page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 05 October - HM Treasury responds to cost control mechanism consultation HM Treasury has responded to the cost control mechanism consultation. The response confirms that HMT will proceed with proposals to move to a reformed scheme only design, widen the 'corridor' to 3% of pensionable pay and introduce an economic check. |
| 30 September - Bulletin 214 September 2021 published LGPC Bulletin 214 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 20 September - GDPR template documents updated We have published new versions of the template privacy notices (short and full), data retention policies (for employers and funds) and the memorandum of understanding document. The documents all be found on the Administrator guidance and documents page |
| 09 September - Communication Working Group minutes published The minutes from the Communications Working Group (CWG) meeting that took place on 7 September 2021 are available to view on the CWG page. |
| 02 September - LGA respond to DWP's Stronger Nudge to pensions guidance consultation We have published our response to the consultation on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 24 August - TPR interim response to code of practice consultation The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published an interim response to the recent consultation on its new code of practice. You can find links to the consultation documents and the interim response on the Non-scheme consultations page. |
| 20 August - Responses to consultations on cost control The Scheme Advisory Board (England and Wales) has responded to HMT's consultation on the cost control mechanism and the LGA has responded to HMT's consultation on the discount rate methodology. You can find links to the consultation documents and these responses on the Non-scheme consultations page. |
| 16 August - LGA respond to MHCLG's consultation on Special Severance Payment guidance The LGA has submitted a response to MHCLG's draft guidance on Special Severance Payments. You can view the response on the Scheme consultations page. |
| 30 July - Non Club Transfer Out Technical guide version 1.3 published We have today published version 1.3 of the Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide along with a track changes version. Both of these documents can be found in the Administrator guides and documents pages of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 29 July - Bulletin 212 July 2021 published LGPC Bulletin 212 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 19 July - New HR and Payroll guides published We have today published 2021 versions of the HR and Payroll guides for England and Wales (version 4.2). You can find the guides on the Administrator guides and documents and Employer guides and documents pages. |
| 16 July - Updated log of actuarial queries with MHCLG We have published a revised and newly formatted log of actuarial queries with MHCLG. Both the newly formatted version and revised old version can be found on the Actuarial guidance page. |
| 05 July - LGPC responds to the PDP Staging Call for Input The LGPC response to the Pensions Dashboards Staging Call for Input has been published. It can be found on the Non-Scheme consultations page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 02 July - MHCLG publishes consultation on special severance payments MHCLG has published a consultation on New Best Value statutory guidance covering special severance payments for local authorities in England. You can find the draft statutory guidance and covering letter from MHCLG on the Scheme consultations page. The six-week consultation will close on 13 August 2021. |
| 02 July - MHCLG publishes data on local authority exit payments in England MHCLG has published Local authority exit payments (first estimates) covering payments made by English authorities in 2019-20 and 2020-21. This is the first summary of the exit payment data submitted by councils. It will be followed by a further publication in the coming weeks. These initial data show that the average exit payment made in 2020-21 across English local authorities was £26,000. The file is in OpenDocument format. You may need to convert it into Excel to see all the data. |
| 01 July - TPR publishes annual governance and administration survey results TPR has published the results of the Public service governance and administration survey 2020-21. The results show improvements in risk management processes, cyber controls and the proportion of members receiving their annual benefit statement on time. Unsurprisingly, implementing the McCloud remedy is a significant risk identified by most schemes. Governance has stood up well given the unique challenges the last year has presented. |
| 30 June - Bulletin 211 published LGPC Bulletin 211 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 24 June - Consultations published: cost control and discount rate methodology HM Treasury has published consultations on the cost control mechanism and the discount rate methodology alongside a written ministerial statement. Both consultations are available to view on the non-scheme consultations page |
| 22 June - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 18 June 2021 published The minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 18 June 2021 have been published. They can be found on the Technical group page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 15 June - CWG minutes and annual work plan published The minutes from the Communications Working Group (CWG) meeting that took place on 8 June are available to view, along with the 2021/22 workplan on the CWG page. |
| 15 June - Cost control review report published Today, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced the publication of the Government Actuary’s final report on his review of the cost control mechanism. The written ministerial statement confirms the Government will respond to the report in due course. The report includes five recommendations on potential changes to the mechanism – which applies across all public service pension schemes. |
| 10 June - High Court judgment on exit credits On 27 May 2021, the High Court handed down its judgment in the case of EMS & Amey v Secretary of State for MHCLG. The case relates to the non-payment of a £6.5 million exit credit. The Court found in favour of MHCLG and upheld the retrospective effect of the LGPS (Amendment) 2020 Regulations. The judge noted that 'there were compelling public interest reasons for making the regulations retroactive', and that 'the aim of avoiding windfall payments and protecting the pension funds was legitimate'. |
| 04 June - Pension Scams: Empowering Trustees and Protecting Members - LGA response The LGAs response to the DWP consultation on Pension Scams has been published. It can be found on the Non-scheme consultations page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 02 June - HMT guidance on severance payments does not apply to local authorities HM Treasury has issued Guidance on special severance payments. This guidance does not apply to local authorities, however, we expect MHCLG to launch a consultation on similar guidance shortly. |
| 28 May - Bulletin 210 published LGPC Bulletin 210 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 13 May - Written Ministerial Statement on McCloud and the LGPS On 13 May 2021, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government made a Written Ministerial Statement on McCloud and the LGPS. The statement confirms the key changes that the Government will make to the LGPS to remove age discrimination identified in the McCloud judgment. |
| 11 May - New GAD guidance published MHCLG has issued new actuarial guidance covering: Annual allowance charges: calculation of scheme pays offset Conversion of AVCs to transfer credits Purchase of additional pension - elections before April 2012 and elections April 2012 to March 2014 Application of a pension credit (pre 2014 leaver) Purchase of additional survivor benefits Conversion of lump sum into pension - Regulation 58 Early payment of pension and Late retirement The new guidance comes into force from 11 May 2021. The guidance has been updated to reflect changes in LGPS and wider pensions legislation, but it does not include new factors. You can find the guidance, covering letter and the spreadsheet of current factors on the Actuarial Guidance page. |
| 30 April - LGPC Bulletin 209 (April 2021) published LGPC Bulletin 209 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 27 April - Non Club Transfer Out Technical guide version 1.2 published We have today published version 1.2 of the Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide along with a track changes version. Both of these documents can be found in the Administrator guides and documents pages of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 06 April - Communication Working Group minutes published The minutes from the communications working group meeting of 9 March 2021 are available to view on the Communication Working Group page |
| 06 April - HMT publish Direction under s59A of SSPA 1975 HM Treasury have published their Direction under section 59A of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975. This is available on the Related legislation page. |
| 31 March - LGPC Bulletin 208 (March 2021) published LGPC Bulletin 208 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 23 March - GMP indexation consultation - Government response published The Government has published their response to the Consultation on GMP indexation for public service pension schemes. This can can be found in the Non scheme consultation pages of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 23 March - Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide version 1.1 published We have today published version 1.1 of the Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide along with a track changes version. Both of these documents can be found in the Administrator guides and documents pages of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 19 March - Annual update bulletin 207 published We have published the Annual update bulletin (207) which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 12 March - Pensions Dashboards Identity approach Call for Input - LGA response The LGAs response to the Pensions Dashboard Identity approach for a Call for Input has been published. It can be found on the Non-Scheme consultations page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 12 March - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 5 March 2021 published The minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 5 March 2021have been published. They can be found on the Technical group page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 10 March - Exit cap information notes updated We have updated the employer and administrator exit cap information notes for the revocation regulations and MHCLG's letter of 4 March 2021. You can find the latest versions of the information notes on the Administrator guides and documents page and the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 08 March - LGPC minutes published The draft minutes from the LGPC meeting of 8 February 2021 are available to view on the LGPC minutes page. |
| 05 March - Exit payment cap: MHCLG update In response to the revocation of the exit cap regulations, MHCLG has issued a letter to update LGPS stakeholders. The MHCLG letter to administering authorities and council Chief Executives withdraws the earlier letter from MHCLG dated 28 October 2020. You can read the the latest information on the Public Sector Exit Payments page of SAB's website, which includes the Board's comments on the contents of the MHCLG letter. |
| 26 February - LGPC Bulletin 206 published We have published LGPC Bulletin 206 which is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 26 February - Legislation to revoke the exit cap laid On 25 February 2021 revocation regulations were laid before Parliament. They take effect from 19 March 2021. See the SAB website for more information. |
| 24 February - Exit cap information notes updated We have updated the employer and administering authority exit cap information notes to include SAB's recommendations based on the legal advice from Eversheds Sutherland. You can find the latest versions of the information notes on the Administrator guides and documents page and the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 17 February - Exit cap information notes updated We have updated the employer and administering authority exit cap information notes following the announcement on 12 February 2021 that the exit cap regulations had been disapplied. You can find the latest versions of the information notes on the Administrator guides and documents page and the Employer guides and documents page. |
| 15 February - Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide and Initial Enquiry form published We have today published a Non-Club Transfer Out Technical guide along with an initial enquiry form. Both of these documents can be found in the Administrator guides and documents pages of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 12 February - Government issues Directions disapplying the exit cap in England with immediate effect On 12 February, the government issued the Exit Payment Cap Directions 2021 which disapply parts of the exit cap regulations with immediate effect. The Directions do not apply to exit payments made by a devolved Welsh authority; however, we understand the Welsh government will issue a similar direction shortly. As the Directions disapply regulation 3, the exit cap no longer applies in England with effect from 12 February 2021. HM Treasury has issued guidance on the Directions. More information will follow. |
| 11 February - Pension Schemes Act 2021 receives Royal Assent The Pension Schemes Bill 2019/2021 was granted Royal Assent on 11 February 2021 and is now the Pension Schemes Act 2021. You can read the Act on the Legislation.gov.uk website. We will issue more information about the impact of the Act on the LGPS in the coming weeks. |
| 11 February - HM Treasury launches consultation on increasing the minimum pension age HM Treasury has launched a consultation on increasing the minimum pension age from 55 to 57 in 2028. You can find links to the relevant Gov.uk webpage and consultation documents on the Non-scheme consultations page. |
| 04 February - Update on HM Treasury cost cap published HM Treasury has today published an update on its cost cap process. It confirms government is now in a position to produce the amending directions to enable schemes to recalculate the 2016 scheme valuations. HM Treasury will share the draft directions with Scheme Advisory Boards (SABs) before final versions are published. Once the directions are published the SAB to the LGPS in England and Wales will be able to consider its own cost management process. |
| 04 February - HM Treasury responds to McCloud consultation in respect of the unfunded public service schemes HM Treasury has today published its response to the consultation on changes to the transitional arrangements to the 2015 schemes alongside a written ministerial statement. This response is in respect of the unfunded public service pension schemes only. Changes to the LGPS were consulted on separately. We expect MHCLG to make a written statement in relation to the consultation on changes to the underpin in England and Wales later this month. |
| 29 January - LGPS update - video recording and presentation slides available The presentation slides and video recording of the LGPS update are available to view on the past events page of the LGA website. The LGPS update took place on 26 January 2021. |
| 27 January - LGPC Bulletin 205 published LGPC Bulletin 205 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page |
| 18 January - Strain cost caveat working published We have published caveat wording for LGPS administering authorities to use when providing strain cost quotes to employers subject to the exit cap. The wording is available on the administrator guides and documents page. |
| 12 January - Judicial reviews of the exit cap will proceed On 22 December 2020, three requests for Judicial Reviews of the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payment Regulations 2020 were given permission to proceed. These requests contest the regulations on a number of grounds including their effect on the LGPS regulations. We expect the requests to be heard towards the end of March 2021. We understand that these proceedings will prevent any direction by the Pensions Ombudsman on this matter until they are complete. We have asked for confirmation and will keep you updated with the latest information. Scheme members will still be able to bring claims against employers and administering authorities. We expect these claims to be stayed during the Judicial Review process. |
» 2020
| 23 December - HMT Exit Payment documents updated HM Treasury has updated the Directions and Guidance that accompany the Exit Payment Restrictions Regulations. You can find the revised documents in the Directions and Guidance section of the Related legislation page |
| 22 December - APC application form updated to allow electronic signatures The additional pension contribution (APC) application form on the APC calculator has been updated to allow the applicant to enter a digital signature and date. |
| 22 December - Exit cap information notes updated We have updated the exit cap information notes for both employers and administering authorities. The notes have been updated to strengthen the message on responsibilities and incorporate MHCLG's guide on waiver applications. Tracked and clean versions are available on the respective guides and documents pages. |
| 22 December - HMT confirm employer NICs not included in exit cap calculation HM Treasury has confirmed that for the purposes of calculating individual exit payments in relation to the £95k cap, employer national insurance contributions should not be included. Confirmation was provided in response to a written question from Baroness Eaton. Please ensure this is communicated to your Scheme employers. |
| 21 December - LGA and LGPC responds to HMT consultation on PSPS GMP indexation The LGA and LGPC have responded to HMT Public Service Pensions GMP indexation consultation. It can be found on the non-scheme consultation page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 17 December - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 10 December 2020 published The minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting held on 10 December 2020 have been published. They can be found on the Technical group page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org. |
| 16 December - Exit cap waiver guidance published MHCLG have today published waiver guidance for the £95K cap. The LGA has raised a number of issues regarding this guidance in terms of clarity and interpretation. |
| 11 December - Bulletin 204 December 2020 published LGPC Bulletin 204 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 08 December - SAB publishes draft response to proposed exit payment reform regulations SAB has published a draft response to the MHCLG proposed regulation changes to reform local government exit pay. You can read the draft response and other documents related to the MHCLG consultation on reforming local government exit pay on the Scheme consultations page. |
| 27 November - Interfund contact added to Your LGPS contacts system A new section has been added to the Your LGPS contacts system for interfund contacts. Administering authorities should log into the system and enter at least one interfund contact. |
| 24 November - Exit cap FAQs for LGPS members published The FAQs are available to view via a link on the 'latest news' page of the LGPS member website |
| 10 November - Bulletin 203 published LGPC Bulletin 203 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 09 November - Exit payment cap - information for administering authorities published We have published an information note for LGPS administering authorities on the exit payment cap. The note provides process and policy considerations for administering authorities when dealing with redundancy and business efficiency exits that take place from 4 November 2020 until the LGPS regulations are amended to accommodate the exit payment cap. You can view the document on the Administrator guides and documents page. |
| 04 November - Exit cap - information note for employers published We have published an information note for LGPS employers on the exit cap. The note provides a process to follow for redundancy and business efficiency exits that take place from 4 November until the LGPS regulations are amended to accommodate the exit cap. The document is available to view on the employer guides and document page. |
| 04 November - Version 1.10 of the technical guide covering the full list of discretionary policies We have published version 1.10 of the full list of discretionary policies. This can be found on the Administrator Resources page of www.lgpsregs.org. Section 1 of the guide has been slightly tweaked covering the waiver of actuarial reductions where a member voluntarily draws benefits before NPA. |
| 04 November - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators and employers updated We have updated both the FAQs for administrators and the FAQs for employers. For both FAQs, we have amended the questions covering furlough, whether the Ombudsman’s service will be affected, whether the Scottish and Welsh governments have introduced life assurance schemes, and what flexibilities an administering authority has when dealing with exiting employers. In addition, for the FAQs for administrators, we have also updated the questions on whether there will be any relaxation of the deadlines for sending AFT returns and for telling HMRC about overseas transfers. |
| 03 November - LGA webinar for local authorities on exit payment reforms announced The LGA pensions and workforce teams will deliver a webinar for local authority employers on exit payment reforms via Zoom at 1.30pm on 6 November 2020. You can book a free place at the webinar online. |
| 30 October - LGA Workforce publish position statement on the Exit Payment Regulations LGA Workforce has published a position statement on the Exit Payment Regulations. This can be found on the Reform of Local Government Exit Payments page of www.local.gov.uk |
| 30 October - SAB publish commentary on the Exit Payment Regulations SAB has published a commentary on the Exit Payment Regulations. This can be found on the Public Sector Exit Payments page of www.lgpsboard.org |
| 28 October - MHCLG letter to Local Authorities re implementation of £95k cap A letter has been sent by MHCLG to all Local Authorities in respect of the implementation of the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020 from 4 November 2020. |
| 28 October - LGA publish draft response to MHCLG consultation on reforming Local Government Exit Pay The LGA has published a draft response to the consultation published by MHCLG on reforming Local Government Exit Pay. This can be found on the Scheme consultations page of www.lgpsregs.org |
| 22 October - Exit payment reform update SAB has updated the Public sector exit payments page of their website. The update includes a statement about the period of legal uncertainty faced by LGPS administering authorities from 4 November until LGPS regulations are amended. |
| 21 October - National LGPS Technical Group minutes of 1 October 2020 published We have published the minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 1 October 2020. Discussions and updates covering: Pension Schemes Bill 2019-21 – McCloud Remedy – Public Sector Exit Payments - Pensions Dashboards – Pensions Tax Relief |
| 16 October - LGA respond to the call for evidence on pensions tax relief administration Our response can be viewed on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 15 October - Exit cap regulations signed - £95k cap effective from 4 November The legislation implementing the £95k cap on exit payments comes into force on 4 November 2020. We are still awaiting the Guidance and Directions that accompany the regulations - these will set out processes including the use of discretionary waivers and the position of exits agreed before the cap is introduced. More information to follow. |
| 14 October - MHCLG publishes draft exit payment reform regulations MHCLG has issued draft regulations to introduce the exit payment cap and wider exit payment reform to the LGPS. The consultation on reforming local government exit pay closes on 9 November 2020. You can read the draft regulations and other consultation documents on the Scheme consultations page. |
| 09 October - LGA respond to McCloud consultation for the unfunded schemes The LGA's response to the 'Public service pension schemes: changes to the transitional arrangements to the 2015 schemes' consultation is available to view on the non-scheme consultations page |
| 09 October - Communications Working Group minutes published The minutes from the communications working group meeting of 29 September are available to view on the Communication Working Group page |
| 08 October - HMT publish GMP indexation consultation HMT have published a consultation on Public Sector Pensions GMP Indexation; it is available on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 06 October - SAB respond to the consultation on amendments to the statutory underpin The SAB has now submitted a response the LGPS: Amendments to the statutory underpin consultation. The response can be viewed on the scheme consultations page. |
| 06 October - LGPC minutes published The draft minutes from the LGPC meeting of 7 September are available to view on the LGPC minutes page |
| 01 October - Exit cap regulations approved by the House of Commons The House of Commons approved the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payment Regulations 2020 on 30 September 2020. The legislation will become effective 21 days after the regulations are signed by the Minister. |
| 30 September - LGPC Bulletin 202 published The September 2020 bulletin (202) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 30 September - MHCLG issue exit payment reform draft strain cost guidance and impact assessment MHCLG have issued draft strain cost guidance and an impact assessment to provide further clarity about the effects of the exit payment reform proposals they are currently consulting on. Please send any comments, queries or observations you may have on either of these documents to the pensions team at MHCLG. The documents can be viewed on the Scheme consultations page. |
| 30 September - Commons vote on £95k cap legislation deferred until 30 September The vote on the draft Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payment Regulations 2020 has been deferred until Wednesday 30 September. |
| 28 September - Exit payment reform webinar - video available The video from the exit payment webinar for local authorities is now available on the LGA past events webpage. The webinar took place on 23 September 2020. |
| 25 September - Exit payment reform webinar - slides available The slides from the exit payment webinar for local authorities are now available on the LGA past events webpage. The webinar took place on 23 September 2020. A recording of the webinar will be made available shortly. |
| 27 August - LGPC Bulletin 201 August 2020 published The August 2020 bulletin (201) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 25 August - LGA response to pensions dashboards call for input published Following the pensions dashboards call for input on 6 July 2020, the LGA has published its response which can be found in the non scheme consultations page of this website. |
| 03 August - Bulletin 200 published The July 2020 bulletin (200) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 31 July - Employer Resources and Bite-size training launched We have created a new area of this website where Scheme employers can find resources and guides that are relevant to them. The Employer Resources section includes bite-size training for employers on Assumed pensionable pay. We will launch more employer bite-size training on other topics in the coming months. |
| 21 July - Government response to exit cap consultation pubished The Government has published its response to the 2019 consultation on restricting exit payments in the public sector. You can see their response on the non-scheme consultations page. |
| 17 July - SAB publish summary of LGPS McCloud consultation The SAB has published a summary of the LGPS McCloud consultation and updated the McCloud Q&A for administrators. Both can be viewed on the McCloud page of the SAB website. |
| 16 July - MHCLG publish McCloud consultation for the LGPS (E&W) MHCLG has published a consultation on amendments to the statutory underpin to remove the unlawful age discrimination identified in the McCloud judgment. |
| 16 July - HM Treasury cost cap pause lifted The Government has provided an update on the employer cost cap process that applies to all public service pension schemes. The update confirms that the pause will be lifted and the 2016 valuation process completed, taking into account the cost of addressing the discrimination identified in the McCloud judgment. The SAB (E&W) are considering whether to lift the pause on the separate SAB cost cap process. |
| 16 July - HM Treasury publish McCloud consultation for unfunded schemes On 16 July 2020, HM Treasury published a Public service pension schemes consultation setting out proposals to remove age discrimination from the unfunded public sector schemes. This consultation covers the Teachers’, NHS and Police Pension Schemes in England and Wales and the Firefighters’ Pension Schemes in England. |
| 30 June - June 2020 bulletin published The June 2020 bulletin (199) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 19 June - Minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group of 12 June 2020 published We have published the minutes of the National LGPS Technical Group meeting of 12 June 2020. Discussions covered: Pensions Dashboards, NI Database, AVCs, COVID-19. With updates on McCloud, Cost Control, Exit Payments Cap, G M P, Local Valuation Cycle and the Management of Employer Risk, SF3 Data Collection, Survivor Benefits, Forfeiture and Fair Deal |
| 18 June - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators and employers updated We have updated both the FAQs for administrators and the FAQs for employers. For both FAQs, we have amended the questions on whether employers can reclaim pension contributions for staff on furlough and whether there will be any relaxation on the 2019/20 annual benefit statement deadline. In addition, for the FAQs for administrators, we have also updated the questions on whether LGPS authorities can suspend CETV payments and what approach TPR will take to breaches, and added a new question covering how members can contact the scheme. |
| 16 June - Transfer warning letter adapted for use by the LGPS TPR's guidance on communicating to members during COVID-19 includes a request for pension managers to issue a transfer warning letter to members applying for a CETV quote. The original letter, jointly prepared by TPR, FCA and MaPS contains references to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and is not suitable for use by the LGPS. An adapted version of the letter is now available for use by LGPS administering authorities. TPR has asked that the letter is issued to all members requesting a CETV quote to a DC scheme for the foreseeable future. |
| 09 June - McCloud FAQs for members published We have published FAQs for members on the McCloud judgment. These can be viewed in the news section of the national LGPS member website. |
| 09 June - Standard McCloud wording for ABS issued Today we issued all funds with a standard wording on McCloud for use in this year's Annual Benefit statements. The statement has been agreed with HMT and MHCLG. See the email from [email protected] sent on 9 June 2020. |
| 08 June - Discretionary policies v1.11 and list of Discretionary policies v1.9 published today We have published revised versions of the full list of discretionary policies (v1.11) together with a revised version of the discretionary policies document (1.9) for administering authorities and scheme employers. |
| 01 June - May 2020 bulletin published The May 2020 bulletin (198) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 28 May - COVID-19 employer webinar recording We recently delivered webinars for LGPS employers covering the pension issues they might face during the pandemic. Please visit the COVID-19 news page to access a recording of the webinar. |
| 28 May - COVID-19 FAQs for employers updated We have published COVID-19 FAQs for employers. These will help employers understand pension issues that may arise due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| 22 May - Governance survey results published The Scheme Advisory Board have published the results of the LGPS COVID-19 Governance survey. The survey ran from 1 to 15 May. |
| 21 May - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators updated We have updated the COVID-19 FAQs for administrators. In the 'payment of benefits' section we have updated the question on the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme (England) to reflect that the Government have now published guidance on it. We have also added a question to clarify the current position on the equivalent life assurance schemes in Scotland and Wales. |
| 21 May - Details on the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme published Details of the NHS and Social Care Life Assurance Scheme (England) were published on 21st May. The SAB have compiled a summary of the main aspects of the scheme which also contains links to further information and the rules of the scheme. The summary is available on the SAB website. |
| 12 May - COVID-19 webinars for LGPS employers We are delivering webinars for LGPS employers in England and Wales on the impact of COVID-19. Please visit the COVID-19 news page for details and to reserve a place. |
| 12 May - COVID-19 FAQS for administrators updated We have updated the COVID-19 FAQs for administrators. In the 'Furloughed staff' section we have confirmed that an employer can choose to award additional pension to a member whose pay has been reduced. |
| 01 May - Bulletin 197 published The April 2020 bulletin (197) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 01 May - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators updated We have updated the COVID-19 FAQs for administrators. A new question about issuing the TPR transfer warning letter is added under the 'Governance and Resilience' section. |
| 29 April - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators updated We have updated the COVID-19 FAQs for administrators. Updates include: In the 'Governance and Resilience' section the question on how TPR will approach breaches has been updated. A new 'Payment of benefits' section has been added under which two questions on ill health and a question on the new life assurance scheme are added. Under the 'Emergency Volunteering Leave, Secondment, Re-employment and Reserve Forces Leave' section a new question on abating CAY is added. |
| 17 April - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators updated We have updated the COVID-19 FAQs for administrators. Both questions in the 'Annual Scheme Events' section have been updated and a new question on salary sacrifice has been added to the 'Furloughed Staff' section. |
| 08 April - Bulletin 196 - March 2020 published March bulletin (196) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 07 April - COVID-19 NEW FAQs added for administrators We have published a further batch of coronavirus FAQs for LGPS administrators. These have been added to the Governance and Resilience', 'Annual Scheme Events' and 'Pensions Tax' sections. We will continue to update the FAQs page with any new developments. |
| 07 April - Results of LGPS resilience survey Summary results of survey on ability to provide critical processes now available on the COVID-19 page. |
| 06 April - COVID-19 3rd batch of FAQs for administrators We have published the third batch of coronavirus FAQs for LGPS administrators and employers. We will continue to update the FAQs page with any new developments. |
| 02 April - COVID-19 2nd batch of FAQs for administrators We have published the second batch of coronavirus FAQs for LGPS administrators and employers. We will continue to update the FAQs page with any new developments. |
| 01 April - COVID-19 FAQs for administrators We have published the first batch of coronavirus FAQs for LGPS administrators and employers. We will update the FAQs page with any new developments. |
| 31 March - Annual update bulletin 195 published The Annual update bulletin (195) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 31 March - COVID-19 page updated with PASA guidance The new COVID-19 news and information page has been updated to include PASA's guidance for administrators. |
| 30 March - McCloud Q&A updated The McCloud Q&A has been updated following the written ministerial statement made by Lord Agnew on March 25. |
| 24 March - Covid-19 message and online survey Today, all pension managers will receive a message from the LGA about minimum levels of service provision and the measures that we are taking to support administering authorities in these uncertain times. All administering authorities are asked to feedback, via an online survey , issues in terms of resources, the ability to process data, the situation of scheme employers together with any local challenges to service provision. This will enable us to raise the awareness with Government, seek the clarification needed and to issue necessary guidance and advice. |
| 13 March - version 3.0 Survivor benefits technical guide published Version 3.0 of the Survivor benefits technical guide published on 13 March 2020 and can be found in the 'Guides and sample documents' page of www.lgpsregs.org |
| 10 March - National LGPS Technical Group minutes of 06/03/20 published Discussions: CIPFA annual report guidance, GAD 2020 data collection, Statutory guidance for survivor benefits, AVCs, GMP reconciliation and equalisation. Updates on McCloud, Fair Deal, 4 Year Valuation & Exit Credits, 95k cap and recovery |
| 28 February - February bulletin published The February bulletin (194) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 31 January - January bulletin published The January bulletin (193) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 29 January - Retirement planning guide and revised ABS technical guide published We have published a new document for members - a Retirement Planning guide and revised the existing Annual Benefit Statement technical guide. You can find both documents on the guides and sample documents page. |
» 2019
| 30 December - December bulletin published The December bulletin (192) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 30 December - Opt out form & notes and AVC FAQs updated We have published new versions of the Opt out form and notes and A member's guide to AVCs. We have made minor technical changes and more significant format changes to both documents. You can find clean and tracked changes versions on the guides and sample documents page. |
| 20 December - Version 8.0 of the Transfer Out declaration forms published Transfer out declaration forms version 8.0, updated to include opposite sex civil partnerships and clarification surrounding 'Earner' |
| 20 December - Version 2.0 of 'When to add Supplementary PI' Technical guide published Version 2.0 of 'When to add Supplementary PI' published. Updated for minor technical revisions |
| 13 December - National LGPS Technical Group minutes of 10 December 2019 published Agreements and discussions covering: LGPS Knowledge System, CIPFA annual report guidance, AVCs to additional pension and ABS content |
| 29 November - Bulletin 191 - November 2019 and Circular 315 - November 2019 Bulletin 191 published and Circular 315 published (2020 Annual Governance Conference update) |
| 08 November - New Aggregation Technical Guide published We have published a new version of the Aggregation Technical guide. We have made significant changes in the format of the guide, including adding a table that summarises the aggregation rules. You can find the guide on the guides and sample documents page. |
| 05 November - version 2.0 Survivor membership guide published Version 2.0 of the Survivor membership guide. Clarifying updates |
| 30 October - October bulletin published The October bulletin (no. 190) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 30 September - September (no. 189) bulletin published The September 2019 LGPC bulletin (no. 189) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 27 September - National LGPS Technical Group minutes of 20 September 2019 published Agreements concerning claims management companies, aggregation & concurrency, purchase of LGPS Knowledge system. Updates on McCloud, Fair Deal, 4 Year Valuation & Exit Credits, Exit payments |
| 09 September - Equitable Life transfer - Counsel's opinion on considerations for administering authorities published The LGPC secretariat have obtained a Counsel’s opinion on considerations for administering authorities when voting on the proposed transfer of Equitable Life's business to Utmost Life and Pensions. The opinion be viewed on the legal opinions page. |
| 28 August - Bulletin 188 August 2019 published Bulletin 188 is now available on the LGPC Bulletins page. Of particular importance is the article on Equitable Life. |
| 19 August - LGPS community document published The purpose of this document is to explain the relationship between the different bodies that make up the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) community. It has been produced at the request of the Local Government Pension Committee who are of the view that it will be particularly helpful to pension committee and local pension board members. It is available under the guides and sample documents page. |
| 14 August - MHCLG issue Additional survivor benefits factors effective from 1 April 2020 MHCLG have issued new factors for the purchase of additional survivor benefits which are effective from 1 April 2020. No new additional survivor benefits contracts can start, but the contributions to any existing ongoing contract should be based on the new factors from 1 April 2020. The updated factor spreadsheet, covering letter from MHCLG and actuarial guidance can be found on the actuarial guidance page. |
| 02 August - July Bulletin (187) published The July 2019 LGPC bulletin (no. 187) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 23 July - Consultation on West Midlands pension fund merger published MHCLG have today opened a six week consultation on the proposed merger of the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority Pension Fund and West Midlands Pension Fund. The consultation document includes draft regulations and a draft Direction. |
| 15 July - Government confirms that the McCloud judgment is to apply to all public service pension schemes The statement confirms that "as ‘transitional protection’ was offered to members of all the main public service pension schemes, the government believes that the difference in treatment will need to be remedied across all those schemes. This includes schemes for the NHS, civil service, local government, teachers, police, armed forces, judiciary and fire and rescue workers. Continuing to resist the full implications of the judgment in Court would only add to the uncertainty experienced by members." |
| 05 July - Survivor membership guide This guide sets out the LGPC Secretariat’s understanding of the membership to be used in the calculation of survivor benefits in the LGPS, once entitlement to that benefit has been established. The guide can be found in the guides and sample documents page. |
| 02 July - MHCLG issue late retirement factors effective from 01/09/2019 MHCLG have issued new late retirement factors which are effective from 1 September 2019. The updated factor spreadsheet, covering letter from MHCLG and actuarial guidance can be found on the actuarial guidance page. |
| 01 July - June bulletin (no. 186) published The June 2019 LGPC bulletin (no. 186) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 28 June - Version 2.0 of Ill Health Certificates republished Revised version 2.0 of the Ill Health Certificates has been published. The guide can be found in the guides and sample documents page. |
| 27 June - Supplementary pensions increase guide published The objective of the guide is to set out the LGPC Secretariat’s understanding of how supplementary pension increases are applied to LGPS lump sums. The guide can be found on the guides and sample documents page. |
| 27 June - Breaking news: Government denied request for an appeal in the McCloud case On 27th June the Supreme Court denied the Government’s request to appeal the McCloud case. This followed a ruling in the Court of Appeal regarding age discrimination arising from public sector pension scheme transition arrangements. The case will now be referred back to the Employment Tribunal for remedy. The Q&A on the case on the SAB website has been updated following the Supreme Court’s decision. The matter will be discussed further at the Scheme Advisory Board meeting on the 8th July. |
| 20 June - MHCLG update actuarial factor apreadsheet MHCLG have updated the actuarial factor spreadsheet to include new factors for inverse commutation, annual allowance debits and conversion of AVC funds for additional pension or transfer credits. The spreadsheet, covering letter from MHCLG and new actuarial guidance covering annual allowance debits can be found on the actuarial guidance page. |
| 20 June - LGPS National Technical Group minutes of 14 June 2019 published Agreements concerning the NI Database - Recommendation to SAB concerning future refunds and the issues around non-payment of CEPs – Supplementary Pensions Increase technical guide approved – PENTAG on-line guide agreed that LGA would lead the project. The minutes can be found in the technical group minutes page. |
| 12 June - Revised Ill Health Certificates The Ill Health certificates have been revised to include the changes to SPa in November 2018, amendments made by the LGPS (Miscellaneous) Amendment Regulations 2018 [SI 2018/493] and a number of minor corrections. The guide can be found in the guides and sample documents page. |
| 10 June - Annual LGPS Governance Conference now open for booking Annual LGPS Governance conference is taking place at the Principal Hotel York 23 - 24 January 2020. The conference is aimed at elected members and others who attend pension committees/panels and local pension boards. Book your place on the LGA events page. More information including the training programme is available in circular 314. |
| 30 May - Bulletin 185 May 2019 published This bulletin contains a number of important updates for LGPS administering authorities, scheme employers and software providers; whilst also providing a general update for all stakeholders. The bulletin can be found in the LGPC bulletins page. |
| 14 May - SAB issue Scheme Annual Report 2018 Cllr Roger Phillips, the chair of the scheme advisory board launched the 2018 annual report at the recent PLSA local authority conference. The aim of the annual report is to provide a single source of information about the status of the LGPS for its members, employers, and other stakeholders. It aggregates information supplied in the 89 fund annual reports, as at 31st March 2018. The report is available on the Board's website. |
| 14 May - SAB issue advice on McCloud and the local valuations Due to the pause of the cost cap process (both HMT and SAB) and the uncertain outcome of the McCloud case there is a scheme liability which is unknown in both scale and timing. A survey of administering authorities undertaken by the SAB indicated very strong support for SAB advice on the approach to be taken with regard to this liability in the 2019 valuation process. The advice is available on the Board's website. |
| 08 May - MHCLG issue consultation on local valuation cycles and managing employer risk MHCLG have today opened a 12 week policy consultation called ‘LGPS: Changes to the local valuation cycle and the management of employer risk’. The consultation documents be viewed on the consultations page. |
| 23 April - MHCLG issue Lifetime Allowance factors MHCLG have issued Lifetime Allowance factors that have effect from 1 April 2019. The factor spreadsheet and covering letter from MHCLG are available under the actuarial guidance page. |
| 17 April - Briefing on the exit cap consultation published The LGPC Secretariat has published a briefing for local government employers and LGPS administering authorities which collates information from the HMT consultation documents. The briefing along with all the consultation documents can be viewed on the Non-scheme consultations page. |
| 10 April - HM Treasury issue consultation on the exit cap HM Treasury have today issued a 12 week consultation called 'Restricting exit payments in the public sector: consultation on implementation of regulations'. The consultation closes on 3 July 2019. Consultation documents can be viewed on the Non-scheme consultations page. The LGA will provide a summary of the consultation shortly. |
| 10 April - Fundamentals training is now open for booking Fundamentals is a three day training course aimed at elected members and others who attend pension committees/panels and local pension boards. It runs from October to December each year in three different locations. Book your place on the LGA events page. More information including the training programme is available in circular 313. |
| 08 April - Communication working group minutes published The minutes from the meeting held on 3 April 2019 are available to view under the CWG minutes page. |
| 08 April - Version 1.10 of Discretions Policy & version 1.8 of Discretions List published New versions of the Discretions Policy (version 1.10) and List (version 1.8) were published on 8 April 2019. The documents remove a flawed discretion under regulation 30(7) of the LGPS Regulations 1997 (employer approval for payment of benefits at NRD, in respect of a member who opted out of the Scheme whilst continuing in employment). The guides can be found in the guides and sample documents page. |
| 01 April - LGPC responds to the Fair Deal consultation The Local Government Pension Committee (LGPC) of the LGA has responded to MHCLG’s consultation on ‘Fair Deal - strengthening pension protection’. The response can be viewed on the consultations page. |
| 29 March - Bulletin 183 published The March 2019 LGPC bulletin (no. 183) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 29 March - MHCLG update actuarial factor spreadsheet to include revised Club and CRA factors MHCLG have updated the actuarial factor spreadsheet to include the revised Club factors and revised CRA factors. The spreadsheet and covering letter from MHCLG are available under the actuarial guidance page. |
| 29 March - Additional pension calculator updated The additional pension calculator on the member website has been updated to take into account the revised factors and methodology from 1 April 2019. |
| 28 March - Short consultation on the implementation of new late retirement factors issued Following consultation with the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) and the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD), MHCLG have opened a short, technical consultation on draft late retirement guidance and their plans for implementation of the new factors. Consultation documents are available under the consultations page. |
| 22 March - Bulletin 182 March 2019 Annual Update published Bulletin 182 - Annual Update March 2019 has been published and is available from LGPC bulletins. |
| 15 March - The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2019 published The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2019 published effective from 8 April 2019 |
| 13 March - LGPS National Technical Group minutes of 8 March 2019 published Recommendation to SAB EW re: aggregation following the cessation of a concurrent employment & to remove the 5 year limit to pay a 2014 refund of contributions - Recommendation to seek POG group support for PENTAG on-line LGPS historical guide - McCloud and SAB survey re 2019 valuation - Finalisation of revised Terms of Reference - Response to Fair Deal consultation published by MHCLG on 4 January 2019 - CEPs and the end of contracting out - Academy sponsors - Changes to the NI Database / update – List of LGA technical queries with MHCLG – List of historical recommendations made by Technical group. The minutes can be found in the technical group minutes page. |
| 10 March - Leaflet for communicating recent changes to members published The LGPC secretariat, in conjunction with the national Communications Working Group, have produced a leaflet to assist administering authorities when communicating the material changes to the scheme made by the LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018 to scheme members. The document is available for download under the guides and sample documents page. |
| 19 February - Bulletin 181 February (2) 2019 published This is the second bulletin to be published in February 2019 has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 15 February - SAB publish a McCloud Case Q&A The Scheme Advisory Board to the LGPS in England and Wales has produced a Q&A for administering authorities on the potential timescales and possible outcomes of the McCloud case and its impact on the cost cap process. The Q&A is available on the Board's website. |
| 13 February - Timeline regulations updated for the LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018 The timeline regulations have been updated to take into the account the changes made to both the LGPS 2013 Regulations and the LGPS (Transitional) Regulations 2014. The updated regulations can be viewed under the scheme regulations page. |
| 11 February - Circular 312 - Training Events published Circular 312 has been published and is available under LGPC circulars and advertises Employer and Practitioner training events to be run in March, April and May 2019. |
| 08 February - SAB cost management process paused On 8th February, the SAB announced that it considers it has no option but to pause its own cost management process pending the outcome of the McCloud case. As a result there are currently no changes to benefits planned in respect of the cost cap. For more information see the cost management page on the Board's website. |
| 04 February - Bulletin 180 published - commentary for administering authorities on the LGPS (Misc Amendment) Regulations 2018 LGPC bulletin (no. 180) is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. It provides a commentary on the changes made to the LGPS in England and Wales by the LGPS (Misc Amendment) Regulations 2018 |
| 02 February - National Communications Working Group minutes published The minutes from the meeting held on 15 January 2019 are available to view under the CWG minutes page. |
| 01 February - Discretionary list and employer policy guides updated Version 1.9 of the scheme employer Discretionary policy guide has been published to include a mandatory Discretion under the 1997 Scheme. Version 1.7 of the Discretionary policies list has been published to take into account an amendment made by the LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018. The guides can be found in the guides and sample forms page. |
| 10 January - Fair deal consultation issued On 10 January 2019, MHCLG opened a twelve week consultation called LGPS: Fair deal - strengthening pension protection. Consultation documents are available under the consultations page. |
| 09 January - MHCLG issue revised factors MHCLG have issued revised factors for non-club transfers in, early retirements, trivial commutations, pension debits (pre and post 2014) and pension credits (pre 2014). The excel workbook containing the factors and the transitional arrangements table have been updated and are available under the actuarial guidance page. |
| 04 January - The application of increases to LGPS pensions - technical guide The information in this Guide sets out the LGPC Secretariat’s understanding of how increases are applied to LGPS pensions in payment on and after 6 April 2016 (i.e. following the end of contracting out). The guide can be found in the guides and sample documents page. |
» 2018
| 21 December - December bulletin (no.179) published The December 2018 LGPC bulletin (no. 179) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 18 December - LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018 enacted The LGPS (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2018 were enacted on 18 December 2018. The regulations and explanatory memorandum can be viewed on the LGPS 2013 Regulations page. MHCLG have also published their response to the consultation. |
| 14 December - LGPS National Technical Group minutes of 11 December 2018 published NI Database usage expansion, possible recommendation for change to timescale for payment of 2014 refund, Ms D v bath & North East Somerset (the Council) (PO23282), Transfers out – requests for information from Claims Management companies, Aggregation following the cessation of a concurrent employment, Ministerial Direction under s59A of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975, revision to the Terms of Reference, creation of sub-groups to review forthcoming consultations, factor for interfunds. |
| 30 November - November bulletin (no. 178) published November bulletin (no. 178) published |
| 19 November - MHCLG issue updated non-club transfer and pension CETV on divorce factors MHCLG have issued the updated factors in accordance with regulation 2(3) of the LGPS 2103 Regulations. A spreadsheet containing the factors and a covering letter were emailed to LGPS administering authorities on 19 November - both will be uploaded to the actuarial guidance page in the next few days. |
| 03 November - October bulletin (no. 177) published The October 2018 LGPC bulletin (no. 177) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 23 October - LGPS National Technical Group minutes of 28 September 2018 published Recommendation: refund process where payment of refund is reaching the 5 year maximum retention period, Recommendation: change to the forfeiture regulations, Recommendation: process for CEP reclaim upon transfer from the LGPS to another registered pension scheme, View: impact of TUPE on pensionable employment, View: payment of an exit credit where a commercial risk sharing agreement is in place, Connected entities, LGPC update and National LGPS Technical Group membership and terms of reference |
| 12 October - 15th LGPS annual governance conference - programme published The programme for the 15th LGPS annual governance conference is now available. Places are going fast - see the programme for information on how to book your place. |
| 08 October - AVC technical guide updated The Freedom and Choice AVC technical guide has been updated to clarify the options available where an orphan AVC is left with a previous administering authority. Clean and tracked versions of the guide (version 3.0) are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 04 October - MHCLG open consultation on technical amendments to the LGPS On 3 October 2018, MHCLG opened an eight week consultation on amendments to the LGPS which are necessary to respond to recent legal judgements and meet existing policy objectives. MHCLG intend to undertake a separate technical consultation on draft amendment regulations to give effect to the proposed changes. Consultation documents are available under the consultations page. |
| 02 October - Members' guide to AVCs published The national communications working group, in conjunction with the LGA, have produced a members' guide to AVCs in the LGPS. The guide is available in word and pdf format and can be found under guides and sample documents. |
| 26 September - Bulletin 176 - September 2018 published September bulletin 176 was published on 26 September 2018. |
| 21 September - 15th LGPS annual governance conference - now open for booking The 15th LGPS annual governance conference is now open for booking on the LGA events page. The conference is taking place in Bristol on 17/18 January 2019 and will be of interest to elected members and others who attend pension committees and local pension boards. Early booking is recommended. More information is available in Circular 310 |
| 31 August - August bulletin (no. 175) published The August 2018 LGPC bulletin (no. 175) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 10 August - version 1.12 85 year rule guide published The 85 year rule guide has been updated to reflect the changes brought about by the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018 - accordingly version 1.12 has been published in both track and newly formatted clean versions. |
| 31 July - Revised Bulletin 171 published Since publication, we have made a number of clarifying amendments to bulletin 171 and we have now published an updated version (dated July 2018). The updated version replaces the first version with the amendments shown in tracked changes. |
| 31 July - Bulletin 174 published Bulletin 174 was published on 31 July 2018 |
| 25 July - Freedom and Choice - AVC technical guide and template letters updated The Freedom and Choice AVC technical guide and template letters have been updated to reflect the recent changes made by the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018. Clean and tracked versions of both documents (both version 2.0) are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 18 July - version 1.8 of the Underpin guide published Version 1.8 of the underpin guide has been published. This guide reflects the changes implemented by way of the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018. |
| 17 July - Fundamentals training now open for booking The fundamentals training course is now live for booking on the LGA events page. Fundamentals is a three day training course aimed at pension committee and local pension board members. Early booking is highly recommended. More information is available in Circular 309 |
| 13 July - HMRC Annual Allowance calculator is back online The issues with HMRC's annual allowance calculator have now been fixed and the calculator is back online. |
| 09 July - Discretionary policies updated Version 1.8 of the Discretionary policies for Scheme employers and version 1.6 of the Full list of discretionary policies to be determined upon published |
| 09 July - Circular 308 - Training Events published Circular 308 - Training Events published advertising Insight and Understanding Transfers courses |
| 29 June - Bulletin 173 published The June 2018 LGPC bulletin (no. 173) has now been published and is available on the LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 25 June - Employee and councillor guides updated The employee guides (full and brief) and councillor guides (full, 2014 update for England and the introductory leaflet for Wales) have been updated for the changes made by the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018. Tracked and clean versions are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 21 June - Full privacy notice updated - Version 3 is now available Squire Patton Boggs have updated the template full privacy notice to include administering authorities of other LGPS funds in the section which sets out which data controllers LGPS funds share data with. Clean and tracked versions of the privacy notice are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 19 June - Circular 307 - training events published Circular 307 - training events published |
| 18 June - Leaflet for communicating with members about the recent changes to the LGPS published The Secretariat, in conjunction with the national Communications Working Group, have produced a leaflet to assist administering authorities when communicating the material changes to the scheme made by the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018 to scheme members. The document is available for download under the guides and sample documents page. |
| 08 June - LGPS National Technical Group minutes published LGPC update, LGPS(Amendment) Regulations 2018, Elmes v Essex, TPR Governance & Administration Survey 2018, useage expansion of the NI database, aggregation and Bona Vacantia payments |
| 30 May - Bulletin 172 pubished Bulletin 172 published on 30 May 2018 |
| 17 May - Circular 306 - training events published Circular 306 has been published and is available under LGPC circulars. |
| 11 May - Bulletin 171 - commentary on the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2018 published Bulletin 171 provides commentary for LGPS administering authorities in England and Wales on the changes to the LGPS introduced by the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (Statutory Instrument 2018 No. 493). The bulletin is available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 30 April - April 2018 bulletin pubished LGPC's April bulletin (no.170) has been published and is available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 25 April - Employee guides updated The employee and councillor guides have been updated for the 2018/19 annual updates. |
| 19 April - The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2018 enacted The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2018 were enacted on 19 April 2018 and amend the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 (“the 2013 Regulationsâ€) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions, Savings and Amendment) Regulations 2014 (“the 2014 Regulationsâ€) adding clarity, and addressing necessary issues that were raised during the 2016 consultation, as good stewardship of the regulatory framework of the Scheme. |
| 17 April - HMRC Annual Allowance calculator temporarily removed Unfortunately, following the addition of the 2018/2019 tax year, the pensions annual allowance calculator is not working as it should in some cases. As this is not in line with the level of service that HMRC is committed to provide, and to make sure customers get the right results from the calculator in future, they have temporarily removed access to the calculator until it can be updated. |
| 01 April - GDPR - memorandum of understanding issued The LGPC Secretariat, on behalf of LGPS administering authorities, commissioned Squire Patton Boggs to produce a template Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) document for administering authorities to issue to participating employers in their fund. The document is now available for download under the guides and sample documents page. |
| 29 March - LTA and AA member factsheets updated Updates have been made to both the lifetime allowance and annual allowance member factsheets. Tracked and clean versions are available for download under the guides and sample documents page. The latest versions are 1.5 for the lifetime allowance factsheet and 1.4 for the annual allowance factsheet. |
| 28 March - Bulletin 168 and 169 published Bulletin 168 (March 2018) has been published and contains topics such as the publication of the new Freedom & Choice AVC technical guide, SPPA circulars, security compliance for TUO, publication of GDPR template privacy notices and publication of version 7.0 of the transfer out declaration forms. Bulletin 169 (Annual Update 2018/19) has also been published. Both bulletins are available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 27 March - Transfer out declaration forms - version 7.0 We have removed reference for the requirement to be a ‘nominated’ co-habiting partner in respect of the Northern Ireland LGPS and made clear that where a transfer is in respect of a deferred refund, this is a ‘Cash Transfer Sum’. We have also made a technical adjustment to the areas concerning what sums should be included when assessing whether or not the aggregate value of a members benefits has exceeded £30,000 or not. |
| 27 March - Technical Group minutes of 9 March 2018 Minutes of the Technical Group meeting held on 9 March 2018 covering the LGPC update, Consultation outcome on indexation and equalisation of GMP in public service pension schemes, GMP Technical Working Group that took place on 28 February 2018 - update, Contracted-out reconciliation – rectification (Stage 3), Contracted Out Reconciliation – Stalemate cases, HMRC Notification for Survivors, Re Use of Public Sector Information Request, GDPR – Data Sharing – Mortality Screening, TPR Conditional data. |
| 23 March - Freedom and Choice AVC technical guide published The freedom and choice AVC guide has now been published along with template letters and an AVC risk warning. It is available under guides and sample documents. |
| 13 March - GDPR - template privacy notices published The LGPC secretariat, on behalf of LGPS administering authorities, commissioned Squire Patton Boggs to produce two template privacy notices for LGPS administering authorities to use / adapt. The privacy notices will need to be tailored to the specific circumstances of each fund taking into consideration the notes on the first page and the footnotes when doing so. Both privacy notices are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 06 March - GDPR - Q&A for members published The Communications Working Group in conjunction with the LGA have published a Q&A for members on the GDPR. The document is available under guides and sample documents. |
| 01 March - February 2018 bulletin published The LGPC Secretariat's February 2018 bulletin (no. 167) has now been published and is available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 29 January - January 2018 bulletin published The LGPC Secretariat's January 2018 bulletin (no. 166) has now been published and is available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 22 January - Government response to the consultation on indexation and equalisation of GMP in public service pension schemes The Government has responded to its consultation on the indexation and equalisation of GMP in public service pension schemes, issued on 28 November 2016, this has been published and is available under Non-scheme consultations. |
» 2017
| 22 December - December 2017 bulletin published The LGPC Secretariat's December 2017 bulletin (no. 165) has now been published and is available under LGPC bulletins. |
| 06 December - Annual Allowance technical guide updated A revised version (version 3.3) of the annual allowance technical guide has been uploaded to the guides and sample documents page. The guide has been updated to reflect the reduction in Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) from 6 April 2017 and also to correct the carry forward examples on pages 126 to 143 of the guide. |
| 05 December - Updated transfer declaration forms issued Version 6.0 of the LGPC Secretariat's pack of transfer declaration forms have been issued and are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 30 November - November 2017 bulletin published The LGPC's November 2017 bulletin (no. 164) has now been published. To read the bulletin, please visit the LGPC bulletins webpage. |
| 20 November - Legal opinion on implications of GDPR for LGPS published The LGA have published a legal opinion from Squire Patton Boggs on the implications of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for LGPS administering authorities when it comes into effect in May 2018. The legal opinion can be found on the legal opinions page of our website. |
| 15 November - DCLG publish template documents for moving administering authorities DCLG have published two template documents to assist LGPS employers in the process of making an application to substitute an administering authority under Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the LGPS Regulations 2013. The two documents are available under Other Government Documents (see the sub-heading Other Documents) and consist of the following: Application form – to be completed by the scheme employer containing the relevant details regarding the application. This form can be used by any scheme employer looking to make an application to substitute an administering authority for another. Template Direction for College mergers – to be completed by the legal representative of the scheme employer(s) making the application. The legal representative should complete the gaps so that the completed version could be sent by DCLG to the applicant(s) to approve the application. This form can be used by Colleges who are merging and, as a consequence, wish to merge or move their LGPS memberships into another fund. Where a College is making an application to substitute an administering authority, the application form (above) must also be completed. Completed applications and questions or queries in respect of the forms should be sent to [email protected]. |
| 13 November - Counsel opinion on assistant coroners published The LGPC Secretariat have obtained a Counsel opinion on the eligibility of assistant coroners for the LGPS in England and Wales. The opinion is available on the legal opinions page and has been published alongside an additional note regarding a historic matter on the treatment of coroners in the LGPS. |
| 13 November - Automatic enrolment brief guide updated The automatic enrolment brief guide has now been updated in accordance with the Employers’ Duties (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2017 which has the effect of aligning the timing of the deferral date in relation to postponement so that for staging and post-staging employers the period for which automatic enrolment can be deferred is the same i.e. three months and one day. In addition some other small amendments have also been made. A clean and tracked version of the guide (version 8.0) are available under guides and sample documents. |
| 03 November - Transfer declaration form updates and temporary withdrawal of Freedom and Choice guide The LGPC Secretariat have made a series of updates to our suite of transfer declaration forms, the current versions of which can be found under guides and sample documents. We have also temporarily withdrawn the Freedom and Choice technical guide whilst we make a series of updates to its content. The updated version of the guide will be published as soon as possible and, in the meantime, the most recent version of the guide can be found under withdrawn guides. |
| 03 November - October 2017 bulletin published The LGPC's October 2017 bulletin (no. 163) has now been published. To read the bulletin, please visit our LGPC bulletins webpage. |
| 30 September - September 2017 bulletin published The September 2017 LGPC bulletin, no. 162, has now been published and is available on the LGPC bulletins page. |
| 05 September - New automatic enrolment brief guide published A relaunched version (version 7.0) of the automatic enrolment brief guide has now been published and is available under guides and sample documents. The new version is a complete rewrite of the guide meaning that a tracked version is not available. The new guide aims to supplement the information provided by the Pensions Regulator (TPR); it covers automatic enrolment from the perspective of the LGPS and TPS and contains signposts to the detailed guidance available on TPR’s website. The sample letters have also been updated and are now contained in a standalone document – clean and tracked version of these are also available under guides and sample documents. The full guide has now been removed and placed under withdrawn guides. We have taken this decision because in 2017 automatic enrolment, for the most part, is simply ‘business as usual’ and the TPR website contains the vast majority of information needed by an employer. |
| 29 August - August 2017 bulletin published The August 2017 LGPC bulletin, no. 161, has now been published and is available on the LGPC bulletins page. |
| 03 August - July 2017 bulletin published The July 2017 LGPC bulletin (no. 160) is now available on the LGPC bulletins along with accompanying appendices. |
| 19 July - Updated lifetime allowance factsheet published Minor updates have been made to the sample lifetime allowance factsheet for scheme members which is now available as version 1.4 on the guides and sample documents page. A tracked version of the factsheet shows the amendments made in the revised version. |
| 12 July - DCLG published updated guidance on preparing and maintaining an ISS DCLG have published an updated version of their statutory guidance on preparing and maintaining an investment strategy statement (ISS), as issued under regulation 7(1) of the LGPS (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016. The updated guidance is available on the Investment Regulations 2016 page. |
| 02 July - June 2017 Technical Group minutes uploaded The minutes of the June 2017 meeting of Technical Group are now available on the Technical Group minutes page. |
| 30 June - June 2017 bulletin published The June 2017 LGPC bulletin, no. 159, has now been published and is available on our LGPC bulletins page. |
| 26 June - March 2017 LGPC minutes published The minutes of the 6 March 2017 LGPC meeting have now been finalised and are available on the LGPC minutes page. |
| 09 June - Information note on GMP pensioner overpayments issued LGPC information note on GMP pensioner overpayments has been issued and is available on our Guides and sample documents page. |
| 07 June - New version of the automatic enrolment full guide issued Version 6.2 of the automatic enrolment full guide for pension funds and employers has now been issued and is available on the guides and sample documents page. This will be the last version of the full guide to be issued and, once legislative changes are introduced that would mean the guide would again need to be updated, the guide will be removed and placed on the withdrawn guides page. The current version of the LGA pension team's automatic enrolment brief guide has been moved to the withdrawn guides pending a re-launch of the guide, due in late Summer 2017. |
| 05 June - Bulletin 158 published The LGPC secretariat's May 2017 bulletin (no. 158) has now been published and is available on the LGPC bulletins page. |
| 02 June - Scheme advisory board publish academies report The Scheme Advisory Board for the LGPS in England and Wales have published a report by PwC entitled 'Options for academies in the LGPS'. The report was commissioned by the Scheme Advisory Board in 2016 to look into the issues associated with the participation of academies in the LGPS and the options for addressing these. The report is available on the Board website. |
| 24 May - Updates to Timeline 2013 Regulations The timeline LGPS Regulations 2013 have now been amended to reflect minor changes made by a number of statutory instruments issued in 2016. Clean and tracked versions of the updated Regulations are available from the LGPS Regulations 2013 homepage. |
| 24 May - Timeline version of Investment Regulations 2016 issued A timeline version of the LGPS (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2016 (SI2016/946) is now available from the Investment Regulations 2016 homepage. |
| 08 May - Updated trivial commutation guide issued Version 1.7 of the LGPC guide to trivial commutation for LGPC administrators has now been issued and is available on our Guides and sample documents page. |
| 20 April - Scheme administrator factsheet published on the overseas transfer charge A scheme administrator factsheet has been published on the overseas transfers charge that can apply to QROPS transfers from 9 March 2017. |
| 20 April - Transfer discharge forms updated The transfer discharge forms have been updated. Clean and tracked versions are available (version 4.0). |
| 12 April - Information document on the LGPS and academies published In conjunction with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Education, the Local Government Association has today published “Local Government Pension Scheme – arrangements for academiesâ€. This is intended for schools considering conversion to academy status, academy trusts, multi-academy trusts and administering authorities. Contents of the paper include guidance for academy trusts on preparing to be an LGPS employer; their role and responsibilities post conversion; the position of multi-academy trusts in the scheme; pooling arrangements; understanding scheme deficits; outsourcing services; the Department for Education guarantee and academy re-brokerage. Although the advice given in the paper is intended to have wide application across the 79 LGPS funds in England, some variation in policy and approach across all the funds and their advisers is inevitable. Schools engaged in conversion are therefore encouraged to contact their local fund as early as possible in the process and seek assistance from independent professional advisors retained by them for the purpose. The document can be found on our Other Government documents. |
| 04 April - Employee guides and factsheets updated The employee guides and factsheets (LTA and AA) have been updated for the new financial year |
| 28 March - March 2017 bulletin published The LGPC's March 2017 bulletin (no. 156) has been published containing a number of general items of information. The bulletin is available on our LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 28 March - 2017 conference now open for booking The LGPC's trustees' conference, taking place this year in Bournemouth on 29-30 June 2017, is now open for bookings. Full details are available in circular 303 and in the conference flyer. To book, visit the LGA Events website. |
| 23 March - New transfer factors published by DCLG New individual incoming and outgoing transfer factors have been published by DCLG. The publication follows the issue of the new Club memorandum by the Cabinet Office in February 2017. The new factors can be found on our Actuarial guidance page. |
| 22 March - LGPC annual update bulletin 2017 published LGPC bulletin no. 155 containing the annual update for 2017 has now been published. The bulletin can be found on our LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 21 March - 2017 annual update SIs published The 2017 'annual update' statutory instruments, meaning those SIs which amends rates and bands applicable from April 2017 for various purposes, have now been published by the Government and are available on the Related legislation page. The accompanying annual update bulletin is due to be published shortly. |
| 21 March - Updates to the underpin guide An updated version of the LGPC's technical guide to the underpin has now been issued (version 1.7). The updated version is available on our Guides and sample documents page. |
| 01 March - LGPC bulletin no. 154 published The February 2017 bulletin (no. 154) has now been published and is available on our LGPC Bulletins page. |
| 27 February - Updated annual allowance guide published Minor amendments have been made to the annual allowance guide which has now been published as version 3.2 and is available on our Guides and sample documents page: - An update has been made to footnote 81 in paragraph 68 - Paragraph 71 and example 48 have been updated to correct an error in the revaluation rate added to the Opening Value |
| 24 February - DCLG publish new actuarial guidance on conversion of accumulated AVCs DCLG have publised new actuarial guidance on the conversion of accumulated AVCs to transfer credits under regulation 66(8) of the LGPS Regulations 1997. The new guidance can be found on our Actuarial Guidance page. |
| 22 February - Minutes of January 2017 LGPC meeting published The minutes of the 23 January 2017 meeting of the Local Government Pensions Committee have now been published on our LGPC minutes page. |
| 20 February - Updates to ABS template and councillor full guide Version 1.3 of the LGPS ABS template has now been published along with version 1.5 of the full guide for councillors. Both documents are available on our Guides and sample documents page. |
| 20 February - LGA submits response to GMP consultation The LGA have submitted its response to the HM Treasury consultation on the indexation and equalisation of GMP in public service pension schemes (Gov.uk). The response is available on our Non-scheme consultations page. |
| 13 February - New factsheet on topping up state pension published Following discussions held at the communications working group in late 2016, the LGPC Secretariat have published a short factsheet for members on the options available for topping up their state pension. The leaflet’s content has been checked by DWP’s policy team and can be found on our Guides and sample documents page. As mentioned in bulletin 150 topping up the State Pension may be particularly appealing to former public sector workers who have: a) Retired, and b) Not yet reached SPA (or have reached their SPA since 6 April 2016). |
| 10 February - Cabinet Office update public sector transfer club memorandum The Cabinet Office have issued an updated version of the public sector transfer club memorandum along with an updated list of the schemes participating in the club. The updated memorandum is effective from 1 March 2017. The updated documents are available on the Civil Service Pensions website as well as under other Government documentson this website. The main changes to both documents are shown in red. |
| 10 February - Updates to annual allowance, 85 year rule and ABS technical guides Version 3.1 of the annual allowance guide has been published incorporating the below main changes: Paragraph 34: AVCs for life assurance are NOT to be included in the Closing Value Paragraph 71: The effect of a scheme pays election Paragraph 68 (and footnote 81) and paragraphs 163, 179, 180, 181, 182, 202, 218 and 223: Treatment of Voluntary Scheme Pays requests Paragraph 173 (and footnote 141 on pages 158/159): Treatment of reportable events 22 and 23 Annex 1: a new definition has been added to the Glossary to explain what is meant by the references in the guide to ‘Standard’ annual allowance Annex 3: Example 39 has been substantially updated Annex 3: New examples 47 to 57 have been added to explain the effect on the annual allowance calculation of Club transfers. Note that examples 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55A, 55B, 56A and 56B represent the LGPC Secretariat’s view on how the cases in those examples should be valued for annual allowance purposes. However, although we feel reasonably confident that the examples are correct, the Secretariat is checking with the Cabinet Office, GAD and the Public Sector Pensions Forum to see whether or not they agree with the calculations. Confirmation, either way, will be provided to administering authorities as soon as a response has been received. Minor updates have also been made to both the 85 year rule technical guide (now issued as version 1.11) and the ABS technical guide (now issued as version 1.11). The updated documents can be found as tracked and clean versions on our Guides and sample documents page. |
| 01 February - Bulletin 153 published The January 2017 LGPC bulletin has now been published and is available on our LGPC bulletins page. |
