Joining, leaving and benefits

Joining the Local Government Pension Scheme

Employees of Scheduled Bodies up to the age of 65 will normally become members of the LGPS automatically. The only exceptions to this are casual employees who need to fill in an application form to join. 

The majority of employees of Admitted Bodies will be entitled to automatic membership, but this will depend on the terms of the Admission Agreement.

Not currently in the Scheme?

The Local Government Pension Scheme has over a million members throughout the country. The Scheme is run through local pension funds - yours is Avon Pension Fund.

By not joining your occupational pension scheme, you are effectively taking a voluntary pay cut. As a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme, your employer will contribute towards your pension and also guarantee benefits for you and your family. You will get tax relief on your contributions and, in most cases, you will pay less National Insurance contributions. Other benefits you could enjoy are:-

  • Inflation proofed benefits
  • Tax free lump sum of up to 150% of final pay.
  • Spouse's and Children's pensions
  • Ill health provision
  • Opportunities to 'top up' your benefits
  • No administration charges
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    Still not convinced?

  • I'm too young - it is never too soon to start a pension. However, if you want maximum benefits at age 60 you really need to join at 20 as it's harder to catch up later
  • I'm temporary - the sooner you join the Scheme the bigger your benefits will be, so don't leave it until you are made permanent
  • The state will look after me - experts say that in less than 30 years', the old age pension will only be worth a tenth of average earnings
  • I might not stay - you can often transfer your funds to another scheme, or leave them with us and benefit from them later. The worst that can happen is that we refund what you have paid (if you leave before completing less than three months' service)
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    If you haven't already joined the Scheme and would like to, please contact your Personnel Department for a starter pack or complete a Pension Scheme Membership Form and return this to your employer (not Avon Pension Fund)

    If you decide not to become a member of the LGPS, or if you are a member and you opt out, you should be aware that you may not be able to join the Scheme at a later date if you change your mind. You cannot join the Scheme if you are eligible to join another public service pension scheme, like those run for teachers, police or firefighters.

    someone signing a formIf you contributed to an occupational or personal pension scheme before joining the LGPS, you can ask for your accrued benefits to be transferred into the LGPS. If you want to transfer your benefits, you should do this within one year of joining the LGPS. After twelve months, you will need to seek employer consent. If you wish to transfer your previous pension benefits, please print and complete the transfer form and return it to Avon Pension Fund.

    Membership with another LGPS, employer will be transferred if you decide that this is to your advantage. This decision can be made at any time from the date of joining your new employer to the date of retirement.

    You should contact the Pensions Department if you were previously a member of the scheme and left between the following dates and took a refund of your contributions:

    • 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1974 with more than five years service 

    • 1 April 1974 and 31 December 1979 with less than five years 

    For more information about the Local Government Pension Scheme - see our Simple Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme  or have a look at 'Into Retirement' - a guide for those about to retire

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