Joining the Scheme

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is available to all councillors of a Welsh County Council or County Borough Council who are offered membership of the Scheme under the council’s scheme of allowances and who are under age 75. Those who are offered membership are termed Eligible Councillors.

If you have been offered membership of the Scheme, it will be for you to decide whether or not to opt to join the Scheme. If you make an election to do so, you will become a member of the LGPS from the beginning of the first pay period following the receipt of your option.

To become a member of the scheme it is important that you complete the Opting In Declaration form and return it to your Council. On receipt of your form, relevant records will be set up and an official notification of your membership of the Scheme will be sent to you. In addition, you should check your allowance payments to ensure that pension contributions are being deducted.

Please note that it is also very important to complete a Death Grant Expression of Wish form upon your commencement within the LGPS, so the death grant payable in the event of your death is paid according to your expression of wish.