Left on or before 31/3/08

From 1 April 2008, the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) 2007 was introduced in England and Wales, which brought about changes to the way in which benefits are calculated.

If you left the scheme on or before 31 March 2008, the introduction of this Scheme will have had NO effect on your deferred benefits. For more information on how your deferred benefits will have been calculated, please see the Calculating your Benefits tab below.

• When Can I Retire?

  The normal scheme retirement age is 65, but you can elect, in writing to the Fund, to receive your LGPS benefits at any time from age 55 onwards (subject to reduction before age 65).

  If you left the LGPS with deferred benefits on or before 31 March 1998, you are also able to receive your LGPS benefits voluntarily from age 55, although you may have the option to apply to receive the payment of your deferred benefits from age 50, subject to your former employer's consent before age 55. 

  In cases of ill health, there is NO age limit.

  Will my benefits be reduced?

  If you retire before age 65, your pension may be reduced. The reduction is calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the Government Actuary Department (GAD).

• Calculating your Benefits

  If you left the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on or before 31 March 2008, your deferred benefits will have been calculated with reference to your whole-time equivalent pensionable pay at your date of opting out or date of leaving, and your scheme membership up to until that time.

  Your Scheme Membership

  Your total membership is measured in years and days and includes the length of time in which you have been a member of the LGPS, as well as any membership awarded for the transfer of previous pension rights into the scheme.

  If you worked part time during these periods, your total membership will have been proportioned in accordance with the part time hours.

  Your Final Pay

  This is the amount of pensionable pay that you have received during your final year of employment i.e. 365 days back from your date of leaving. However, there is scope for it to be based on one of the previous two years, if higher.

  If you work part time, your final pay will be calculated as a whole-time equivalent.

  Note that 'non-contractual' overtime will NOT be included in the calculation of your final pay.

  Calculating your Deferred Benefits

  For membership up to 31 March 2008, benefits will be calculated at an 80th, with an automatic lump sum entitlement, equal to 3 times your annual pension:

  Membership ÷ 80 x Final Pay = Annual Pension

  Upon your retirement, you will also have the option to give up some of your pension to increase your automatic lump sum. To find out more, please view the Exchanging your Pension tab below.

  Please Note

  Your deferred benefits are indexed linked, therefore their value will increase each April in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

• Exchanging your Pension

  At the point of retirement, you will have the option to give up some of your pension to gain a tax-free lump sum; known as Commutation.  For every £1 of pension you decide to give up you will receive £12 of lump sum, subject to a maximum of 25% of the Capital Value of your benefits. (In addition to any automatic lump sum entitlement that you may have in respect of your membership up to and including 31 March 2008).

  However, this is NOT compulsory and you may even wish to exchange a lesser amount than the maximum option.

  Upon your retirement, you will be given this information within your retirement pack, which will include your base pension values and the maximum commutation amounts. Only then will you have to make an election, or alternatively choose to commute a lesser amount.

  Please Note

  If you have been contributing to an in-house AVC arrangement and you wish to consider using this fund to boost your LGPS benefits; your AVC fund will form part of your 'Capital Value' calculation. For further information, please contact the Dyfed Pension Fund.

  Any reduction to your annual pension to provide for a tax-free lump sum will NOT reduce any subsequent Survivor's benefits which may become payable upon your death.