New Academy Status Page

The Employers section of our website has a new area regarding schools seeking academy status, within this section we outline the model funding agreement, briefing note from the department of education, the process the Fund has to complete before a school can transfer to be a new academy and the forms to be completed for this to commence. Read More

An Introduction to Councillors Pensions
Revised & Updated

This is an updated  short guide to LGPS Councillors Pensions, included in the guide is the LGPS1 Membership Form. Read More

Update on the LGPS - August 2010

CLG - (10) PRG45 Admitted Bodies & Related Matters
CLG - (10) PRG45 Avon Pension Fund Response

Ten facts about the Local Government Pension Scheme

Pension provision has long been a hot topic for discussion. However, currently the spotlight is firmly on the public sector pension schemes, particularly given the impending Independent Public Service Pensions Commissions led by Lord Hutton. The cost of public sector pensions has also been highlighted once again, this time within the debate about public sector spending cuts. As a result much information has been put into the public domain about public sector pension schemes which is sometimes confused and often misrepresented.

To help you through the minefield of information currently available we thought it would be useful to state some of the key facts about the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS): Read More

Independent Public Service
Pensions Commission

Ahead of their spending review, the Government has set up an independent pensions commission under John Hutton to make recommendations on public service pensions provision which is sustainable, affordable and fair in the long term. The commission has invited evidence and views for consideration and the response of the Avon Pension Fund can be viewed in the document 'The submission from the Avon Pension Fund'.

Letter from the Hutton Commission on Public Service Pensions
The submission from the Avon Pension Fund
The submission from the Audit Commission

Calculations of Additional Regular Contributions
and Transfers

In the recent budget the Government changed the method by which Local Government pensions increase from Retail Price Index (RPI) to Consumer Price Index (CPI). We have therefore been advised to cease calculations of Additional Regular Contributions (ARCs) and Transfers to and from Pension Schemes outside of the Public Sector until the Government Actuaries Department issue new factor tables. Communities and Local Government have said that the new factor tables should be released in October.

Deferred Benefits Guide for Leavers after 31st March 2008
Revised & Updated

This is a short description of the conditions of deferred membership
that apply if you left the LGPS on or after 31st March 2008. Read More

Welcome to the LGPS - Pension Pack for New Members
Revised & Updated

The Pension Packs are designed to be provided to Employees electing
to opt in to the LGPS. Giving the new member all the information required when joining the Local Government Pension Scheme. Read More

Short Guide to the LGPS 
Revised & Updated

This is a short description of the conditions of membership
and main scheme benefits that apply if you pay into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008.

NEW ISSUE!
atease Retired Members Newsletter - Spring 2010
Now available online!

Welcome to the Spring 2010 edition of atease, our newsletter for Pensioner Members of the Avon Pension Fund. We hope you’ll enjoy the range of articles.

As usual with the Spring edition there is an update on this year’s pension increase and details of pay dates for the year. We also have an article “Understanding your P60 and Pension Payment Advice” and what you should do if you have a query about your tax. Read More

Statement of Investment Principles - March 2010

The Statement of Investment Principles details the policy which controls how a pension fund invests. Read More

LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2010
LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2010 memorandum

Letter to LGPS Stakeholders and Interested Parties
Draft Amendment Regulations 2010

Website Update
NEW! Online Benefits Calculator

The online benefits calculator estimates your retirement pension and
lump sum. Your benefits are based on your final pay and your membership and when you retire, you will get a portion of your final pay in pension benefits. The longer you've been a member, the bigger the portion.

The online benefits calculator is only intended as a rough guide of your pension benefits.
For an accurate estimate please contact the Avon Pension Fund or your employer.

Changes to Dependants Benefits - March 2010

This document highlights the changes which alter the way that a
survivor’s pension for a registered civil partner is calculated, and introduce a new option to buy extra survivor’s pension for a nominated co-habiting partner.

NEW ISSUE!
Avon pension News - Spring 2010
Now available online!

Welcome to the latest edition of Avon Pension News. We include the highlights from the 2008/09 Scheme Annual Report and Accounts which this year includes additional information on our Key Performance Indicators on the service we gave you and how you rated the service you received.

There have been some important changes at our AVC provider Friends Provident. We keep you in the picture with information on page 7 and finally LGPS benefits were extended last year to provide a dependant’s pension for Cohabiting Partners in addition to spouses, but only if we hold a completed Nomination Form. We tell you what to do to make sure your loved ones won’t lose out. Read More

A-The Consultation Letter LGPS (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2010
Draft LGPS (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2010
B-The Consultation Letter LGPS (Miscellaneous) Regulations 2010

Welcome to the LGPS - Pension Pack for New Members

The Pension Packs are designed to be provided to Employees electing
to opt in to the LGPS. Giving the new member all the information required when joining the Local Government Pension Scheme. Read More

Guide to Employer Online Access

The Fund has issued a 'Guide to Employer Online Access'
this guide is aimed at helping Employers around the secure area of the Avon Pension Fund website, and provides illustrations on how to register, the tools on offer within this area and how to use them.

Short Guide to the LGPS 
Revised & Updated

This is a short description of the conditions of membership
and main scheme benefits that apply if you pay into the LGPS on or after 1 April 2008.

Avon Pension Fund
Annual Report 2008/09

The Avon Pension Fund has published its Annual Report 2008/09.
The report includes the accounts for the year, changes to the LGPS together with details of membership and changes to basic scheme details that have either taken place during the year or are proposed for the future. In addition, the report includes the Actuarial Statement applicable for the year and a report on Investments and Investment performance for the year.  Read More

NEW ISSUE!
atease Retired Members Newsletter - Autumn 2009
Now available online!

Hello again and welcome to the Autumn 2009 edition of At Ease, the newsletter for Pensioner Members of the Avon Pension Fund. We hope you’ll enjoy the range of articles which include: an item on where you can get practical help if you’re confused by the introduction of Digital Television; and an item explaining that your pension from Avon Pension Fund will not be reduced even if RPI (the government’s measure of the cost of living) is a minus figure. Read More

Website Update
NEW! Deferred Members Area

We have recently refreshed the Deferred Members area of the website included in this section are details about the Your Deferred Pension Benefits, Extra Contributions, Tax Rules & Your Benefits, Paying Deferred Benefits, Rejoining the LGPS and the Transferring from the LGPS Read More

Website Update
NEW! How to Find Us Page

We have refreshed the How to Find Us page which is now located on the main homepage of the website, this new feature includes an embedded 'google map' and also directions and links if travelling to the Avon Pension Fund by train bus, or car. Read More

Website Update
NEW! Find your Contact by Employer Page

We have updated and refreshed the ' Find your contact by Employer' page of the website which now features an A-Z search to help you find the Team you need to contact in regard to your pension. Simply find your employer in the list and the right hand column will link to which Team you need to contact either 'A' 'B' or 'C'.

Bath & North East Somerset Council
Statement of Accounts 2008/09

The Avon Pension Fund Statement of Accounts 2008/09 form part of Bath & North East Somerset Council's accounts. The Council's accounts for 2008/09 are now available on the Council's website: Bath & North East Somerset Council - Statement of Accounts 2008/09

The Avon Pension Fund will be publishing its Annual Report and Accounts 2008/09 before 1 December 2009. Once published, this report will be accessible via this website (and in hard copy).

Website Update
NEW! Finance & Investments Area
 

We have recently refreshed the Finance & Investments area of the website included in this section are details about the Investments Forum, Investment Principles, Corporate Governance Policy, Funding strategy statement, Actuarial Valuation and the Annual Report & Accounts Read More