About the Avon Pension Fund

TheAvon Pension Fund is the UK’s 12th largest fund within the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with an approximate value at March 2009 of £1,819 million, The Fund works with 4 local unitary authorities ( Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and North Somerset Council) and over 90 employers in the area providing our 35,264 active members, 20,261 retired members and 22,578 deferred members quality customer service, focussed on accurate pension calculations and timely payment of their benefits. The Pension Fund is administered by Bath & North East Somerset Council who are legally responsible for the Fund as set out in the LGPS Regulations.

The Council delegates its responsibility for administering the Fund to the Avon Pension Fund Committee, which is the formal decision making body for the Fund.

More about the Governance of the Fund and Avon Pension Fund Committee

The administration of the Scheme is undertaken ‘in house’ by the Fund, which has experienced staff working within the Department areas below:

• 3 Benefits Processing Teams Each team has approximately 5 staff each, which process pension benefits for staff of the 90 employers who belong to the Local Government Pension scheme. Each team has a dedicated client list of employers which ensures continuity and a quality personal service.
• Pensions Payments & Support Services Team Responsible for the payment of pensions and enquiries from retired or dependant members. A free-phone helpline is available for pensioners to use (0800 0644 155).
• Systems Support & Development Providing support to the benefits team, developing IT systems and making the best use of fast moving technology. They also update the records of members with changes and input new starters to the Scheme.
• Investment & Accounts Monitoring Responsible for all details surrounding investments including strategies, actuarial valuations and financial aspects of maintaining the Avon Pension Fund.
• Technical & Compliance Assess and implement changes to the legislation issued by central Government guiding the administration of the LGPS.
• Employer Liaison & Communication Provides support to employers contributing to the Fund and to maintain that correct employer administration of the Scheme is upheld. Communication provides marketing and supporting materials using digital and printed media, included in this is the Fund’s dedicated website which contains details of the Scheme and helpful publications for all types of Member’s and Employer’s.
• Learning & Development Ensures all staff are supported properly and efficiently trained while being encouraged to enhance their professional development through related courses.

View the Structure of the Avon Pension Fund

The Fund’s office is situated in Keynsham (Floor 3 South, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1LA), between Bristol and Bath, if you would like to visit us, you may find the link below useful.

View the Location of the Fund

Contacting the Avon Pension Fund

The Fund can be contacted by
Telephone: 01225 477000
Email: pensionsedi@bathnes.gov.uk

01/09/2010