Local Government Pension Scheme

The Government has introduced changes to the LGPS to make the Scheme fairer for all members. Most changes took effect from 1 April 2026, and some improvements apply retrospectively. 1. Fairer survivor benefits The LGPS provides valuable benefits when you die. Your spouse, civil partner or eligible cohabiting partner will...

The Government has confirmed in its partial response to the Access and Protections consultation that plans to extend the LGPS to councillors and mayors in England will go ahead. The change will give access to the LGPS to: The effective date will be 11 May 2026, the first Monday after...

Active pension accounts, deferred pensions and pensions in payment are adjusted each April in line with the cost of living. The increase is based on the September to September adjustment to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). The CPI index for the year up to September 2025 was 3.8%. This means...

Both you and your employer pay contributions to pay for your LGPS pension. How much you pay depends on how much you earn. You will pay between 5.5% and 12.5% of your pensionable pay. Every April your employer will decide your contribution rate. If you have more than one job,...

The Chancellor delivered the 2025 Budget on 26 November. Before the Budget, there had been rumours that the Government would reduce tax relief on pension contributions, reduce the amount of tax-free cash available on retirement or introduce employer national insurance on all pension contributions. None of these changes were announced....