Changes to the annual revaluation date of the LGPS for active members

19 April 2023

On 9 March 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) laid the LGPS (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (‘the regulations’). The regulations move the annual revaluation date from 1 April to 6 April. The regulations are effective from 31 March 2023.

Pensions Dashboards

31 March 2023

The Government is launching a new initiative which will allow users to securely view all their pension savings in one place. Savers will be able to choose from a range of Pensions Dashboards and, after verifying their identity, users will be able to trigger a secure digital search across virtually the entire pensions industry. A summary of the pensions found will be displayed back to the user on their smart phone, tablet, or desktop browser.

SCAPE discount rate and Impact on actuarial factors

30 March 2023

The SCAPE discount rate is used to set the employer contribution rates in the unfunded public sector pension schemes and to determine the actuarial factors across all public sector schemes. The discount rate was reduced on 30 March 2023 to the consumer price index (CPI) plus 1.7% from CPI plus 2.4%.

Government announces changes to Lifetime Allowance and Annual Allowance from 6 April 2023

15 March 2023

The current lifetime allowance of £1,073,100 is being removed from 6th April 2023 and abolished all together from 6th April 2024. The maximum amount of tax-free lump sum that you can withdraw from a pension will remain at £268,275 (25% of the current lifetime allowance of £1,073,100) unless you have a valid (enhanced) protection in place before 6th April 2023.

Our climate-focused investments are in the news

15 February 2023

Looking after our investments so we can pay all pensions in full, while working towards our net zero 2050 goal, are essential priorities for Avon Pension Fund. As we make good progress on reducing our investment portfolio’s carbon emissions, our innovative investment strategy has hit the news.

New arrangements for Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC)

22 December 2022

There are important changes to the Fund’s Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) arrangements being made from January 2023. These changes are applicable if you have paid or are currently paying using the current arrangement with Aviva (previously Friends Provident/Friends Life) or Utmost Life (formerly Equitable Life).

Responsible Investing Annual Report 2022 now available

19 December 2022

The Avon Pension Fund is pleased to publish both its latest Responsible Investment Annual Report and Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report for 2022.

This year’s Responsible Investment Annual Report serves to update stakeholders on the progress we have made against our climate objectives. This report offers insight into the structural challenges climate-aware investors face and provides details of the Fund’s focus over the coming year as we seek to deliver on our financial and environmental, social and governance (ESG) obligations.

The Avon Pension Fund’s Annual Report for 2021/22 is now available

16 November 2022

The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 require an administering authority to publish a pension fund annual report on or before 1st December following the Scheme year end. This annual report should contain an external auditor’s opinion on the pension fund’s statement of accounts, which is a ‘consistent with’ opinion referring to that given on the administering authority’s statement of accounts.