Active members
The Local Government Pension Scheme is an occupational final salary scheme. This means that there are only two factors which we use to calculate your pension:
- the length of time you have been in the pension scheme (your period of membership);
- your final full-time equivalent salary
A scheme member is entitled to an index-linked pension at retirement age.
You are automatically a member of the scheme unless you are employed on a contract of 3 months or less. If you are not a member you can join the scheme by requesting a starter pack from your employer.
Just some of the benefits of the scheme are:
- Commute up to 25% of your benefits to receive a tax free lump sum
- Index linked pension paid for the rest of your life
- Free life cover (a death grant of 3 times your salary is paid to whoever you have nominated) It is important to complete an expression of wish form
- Spouses' pensions if you die before them
- Unmarried cohabiting partner's pension
- Children's pensions
- Lower National Insurance contributions
- Tax relief on your pension contributions
- Guaranteed benefits
You can find more information about the scheme in our brief guide to the LGPS.

