Once you’re a member of our Fund you can join the 50/50 section.
It's designed as a short-term solution for when our scheme members are experiencing financial difficulties.
It allows you to flexibly pay 50% contributions and build up 50% pension benefits for the period you’re in it. Your full life and ill health cover remains unaffected.
If you're interested in joining the 50/50 section, you can complete the 'Pension option form' attached to this page.
If you choose to join the 50/50 section, your employer must bring you back into the main section every 3 years. They'll let you know when this is happening. If you then want to continue in the 50/50 section, you can join again.
Change back to full membership
You can choose to change back to the main scheme at any time. You'll need to complete the 'Pension option form' attached to this page and return it to your employer.
Example
Gemma's annual pensionable pay is £12,000 per year.
In the main section of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Gemma pays 5.5% of their pay each month into their pension. This equates to £55 per month.
For each year Gemma's annual pension builds by £245 (1/49th of her pensionable pay).
In the 50/50 section Gemma will pay 2.75% of their pay each month instead. As Gemma's contributions are halved, this equates to £27.50 per month.
For each year in the 50/50 section, Gemma's annual pension builds by £122 (1/98th of pensionable pay).
Gemma's life and ill health cover remain unaffected. If Gemma dies while they’re in the 50/50 section, Gemma’s loved ones will still be entitled to receive death benefits as if they were in the main section of the LGPS.
Links to useful documents