If you have previous LGPS pension rights
If you rejoin the LGPS after having previously left an LGPS employment with deferred benefits then these deferred benefits can be joined with your new active pension account in the scheme.
This is unless you became entitled to the deferred benefit as a result of making an election, on or after 11 April 2015, to opt out of membership of the scheme. If that is the case, you will not be permitted to join the two periods of membership together and, instead, you will have two separate sets of pension benefits in the scheme.
For more information about joining previous LGPS pension rights download the
Member guide - Rejoining the LGPS
Factsheet - Joining Previous Service
What happens if I change jobs but remain in the LGPS?
If you are changing your job, but still working in local government or for another employer who offers you membership of the LGPS, or if you re-join the LGPS before your deferred benefits are paid, your deferred benefits are normally automatically joined with your new active pension account when you rejoin the scheme, unless you elect to keep them separate.
If you wish to keep your deferred benefits separate you must elect to do so within 12 months of re-joining the LGPS, unless your employer allows you longer.
If you wish to transfer your LGPS pension rights you should contact your current or former LGPS Fund as soon as possible to commence the process and find out about the matters you will need to consider in making your decision.
Please note that special rules apply if you were a member of the LGPS in England or Wales on or before 31 March 2014 – see the Member guide - Rejoining the LGPS for more information.
Please also note that if you became entitled to your deferred benefit as a result of making an election to opt out of membership of the scheme you will not be permitted to join your two periods of membership together and, instead, you will have two separate sets of pension benefits in the scheme.
What if I have two or more LGPS jobs?
If you have two or more jobs in which you pay into the LGPS at the same time and you leave one (or more) but not all of them, and you are entitled to deferred benefits from the job (or jobs) you have left, your deferred benefits from the job that has ended are automatically transferred to the active pension account for the job you are continuing in, unless you elect to keep them separate. If you wish to keep your deferred benefits separate you must elect to do so within 12 months of re-joining the LGPS, unless your employer allows you longer.
If you are not entitled to deferred benefits from the job (or jobs) you have left, you cannot have a refund of your contributions and you must transfer your benefits to the pension account for the job you are continuing in.
Please note that special rules apply if you were a member of the LGPS in England or Wales on or before 31 March 2014 – see the Member guide - Rejoining the LGPS for more information.