Re-joining the LGPS

If you have previous LGPS pension rights

If you re-join the LGPS and you have deferred benefits in an LGPS fund, your deferred benefits will generally be automatically joined with your new active pension account. You will have 12 months from re-joining the scheme to make your decision. Your employer may allow you longer to decide.

Different rules apply if you have deferred benefits in an LGPS fund because you opted out of the Scheme on or after 11 April 2015. You cannot join those benefits with your new active pension account. They will remain as a separate deferred benefit. 

If you re-join the LGPS in England or Wales and have a deferred refund this must be joined with your new active pension account. 

What happens if I change jobs but remain in the LGPS?

If you are changing your job, but still working for another employer who offers membership of the LGPS, your deferred benefits are normally automatically joined with your new active pension account.  This will be the case unless you elect to keep them separate when you re-join the scheme. The same applies if you re-join the LGPS before your deferred benefits are paid.

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. It's important you do this, so you can find out about the matters you will need to consider before making your decision.

Please note, if you became entitled to a deferred benefit because you opted out of the LGPS, you will not be permitted to join your two periods of membership together. 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
• 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 leaving that job, unless your employer allows you longer.

If you have not completed 2 years membership from the job (or jobs) you have left, you cannot have a refund of your contributions. Your benefits will be combined with the  pension account for the job you are continuing in.