Pensions

Many AEP members are employed in Local Authorities, all of which have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Other employers will have made their own arrangements.

This is a currently a defined contributions and a standard benefit payable at, or after, normal retirement age, which is based on a career average. There are various branches of the scheme, each being maintained, controlled and administered by a group of trustees.

Each year, every member of the pension scheme should get a statement of benefits they will receive when they access their pension. Those benefits are likely to change as you continue membership or may be frozen if you stop working for an LA. If you need any information regarding your pension, you should contact the administrators of your particular pension scheme. The contact details will be on your statement, or can be obtained from your HR department.

Accessing your pension

You may be able to access your pension early (i.e. before normal retirement age) if you meet certain criteria. For example, you may become too sick to work and if you are unlikely to recover from an illness before your normal retirement age, you may apply for ‘Ill Health Early Retirement’. If you believe you may qualify for this, you will need to discuss this with your HR department – often as part of either an Occupational health review, or through the employers Sickness Management Procedures’.

85 year Rule (LGPS members only)

Although this was abolished some years ago, some LGPS members who met the criteria at the time may still be able to access their pension if their age plus length of service is equal to or greater than 85. Details can be obtained from your LGPS administrators. Their contact information can be found on your annual statement, or from your HR department.

Changing Employers

If you change employers, for example, to another local authority, you should receive a request for consent to move your pension from the previous employer to the new one. The document you receive should explain what will happen – if you get nothing within a few months of starting, you should contact your new HR department to ensure that they have notified the relevant area. It is in your interests to consider carefully whether you move it or not, depending on the pension arrangements in force at the time. You may want to consider seeking advice from an independent pensions advisor.

If you move from a local authority to an employer who is unable to continue contributions to the LGPS, different arrangements may apply. Please seek advice from your new. and former employer. NB – Whilst we are able to provide general information about Pensions, The AEP is unable to provide specific, individual advice. You should contact your LGPS or other Pension Provider’s Administrators if you require any detailed information. Alternatively, you may wish to contact an independent pensions advisor for specific advice about your pension arrangements.