The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a statutory occupational pension scheme covering employees (other than teachers) of local authorities and other related organisations.
Entry to the pension scheme is automatic on joining the council, if you have a change in your existing contract of employment or on the commencement of a new or additional post unless you are employed on a casual basis, the contract of employment is of less than three months duration or you are over age 75.
If you do not wish to be automatically entered into the pension scheme on commencing employment please ensure you complete the pension option form indicating your wish to opt out.
Current employees who have previously opted out of the pension scheme will automatically be brought into the pension scheme from the commencement of a new post or a change in their existing contract of employment or on the commencement of an additional post unless they complete a further pension option form indicating their continuing wish to opt out.
If you enter the pension scheme a refund of pension contributions is only payable if you have less than three months total pensionable membership, have not brought a transfer into the LGPS and do not already have a deferred benefit in the LGPS in England or Wales.
The employees pension contribution rate depends on their level of earnings but will be between 5.5% and 7.5% of pensionable pay. Full details of the employee pay bands together with further information regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme can be found on the following websites: