Improving access and fairness in the LGPS
The Government has introduced changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) regulations to make the Scheme fairer for all members. Most changes will take effect from 1 April 2026, and some improvements apply retrospectively.
Fairer survivor pension benefits
The LGPS provides valuable benefits when you die. Your spouse, civil partner or eligible cohabiting partner will receive part of your pension. This will be paid as a survivor pension and will be paid for the rest of their life.
From 1 April 2026, survivor pensions will be calculated more consistently to ensure equal treatment regardless of the sex of the member or their survivor.
Some survivor pensions will be increased as more of the member’s service before April 2014 will now count. Some survivor pensions will become payable for the first time, which will be male survivors of female members who left the LGPS before April 1988.
The changes also apply retrospectively to survivor pensions dating back to:
- 5 December 2005 for opposite sex marriages and same sex civil partnerships
- 13 March 2014 for same sex marriages
- 31 December 2019 for opposite sex civil partnerships
Some cohabiting partners’ pensions may also increase if the member died between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2014.
Where necessary, we will recalculate survivor pensions and pay arrears with interest. Impacted dependants will be notified in due course.