How do I join the Fund?
If you work for one of our larger employers (like a local authority) they will bring you in automatically. At other employers where membership isn’t automatic, they will still give you the option of joining in many cases - please ask your employer to find out more.
Do I have to join?
No, you don’t have to. If you don’t want to join, and your employer brings members in automatically, you will need to tell them your wishes. But remember, most people are better off joining their employer’s occupational pension scheme and your employer, union and the government all recommend it.
You may wish to see an independent financial advisor to help you decide. If someone tells you they can offer a better alternative, you should ask them to confirm it in writing for you.
Can anyone join?
You can join if you work for one of the local authorities in Greater Manchester, and a whole range of other organisations too. It doesn’t matter whether you are full time, part time, or even temporary - you are welcome to join as long as you are under 75 and have a contract of 3 months or more.
If you are able to join another 'statutory' pension scheme, like the NHS or Teachers' pension scheme, you will not usually be able to join the LGPS. Also, some employers can choose to only allow selected groups of their employees to join the Fund, so you should speak to your employer if you are unsure.
I am going to be working part time. Is it worth joining?
Whilst you are working part time, many of the benefits are scaled down accordingly to reflect this. For example, the membership you build up as a part timer counts for less towards your benefits, and the lump sum life cover we would pay out if you die is only based on your actual part time pay.
But remember, you pay less in as a part timer than you would if you were working full time, so it seems reasonable that your benefits for this period are scaled down.
So whether you are full time or part time, an employer’s occupational pension scheme like ours is an excellent way of saving for the future. However, if you work very few hours and are not far off retirement age, you should contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or an independent financial advisor for further guidance about joining, as it could affect your eligibility for certain State income related benefits, even if we pay you a small pension.
 The effects on your pension of working part time
My contract of employment is only temporary. It is worth joining?
You can join on a temporary contract, as long as it is for 3 months or more (and you are under 75).
You might decide to wait and see whether your contract is made permanent, but remember, the sooner you join the Scheme, the bigger your benefits will be.
Once you have been a member for more than three months you will have built up enough membership to qualify for most pension benefits. If you leave, you can often transfer your funds to another scheme, or leave them with us and benefit from them later.
If you leave before you have built up this three months, the worst that can happen is that we refund what you have paid in – and at least you have had free life cover in the meantime!
I am casual. Can I join?
Sorry, you can only join if you have a contract of 3 months or more, so this rules out casual staff joining. If, in the future, your contract changes and you were to be offered regular work, you are welcome to join as long as your contract is for 3 months or more.
I am an older member. Is it worth joining?
You can pay into the Scheme right up to age 75, though unreduced benefits are paid for any retirement after age 65. You will also have the benefit of lump sum life cover and cover for your dependants if you were to die. There is also protection in case you retire due to ill health.
However, if you work very few hours and are not far off retirement age, it is advisable that you contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or an independent financial advisor for further guidance about whether to join the scheme as your eligibility for certain benefits could be affected even if we pay you only a small pension.
What effect may joining the Fund have on my tax / NI contributions?
If you are a tax payer, you get tax relief on your contributions, and also pay less National Insurance, because you are contracted out of the additional State pension. So for example, if you earn £24,000 a year, although the cost on paper is £130 a month, you get £26 tax relief on this (assumes 20% tax rate). Also your National Insurance falls too, bringing the cost in take home pay right down.
For most members, the National insurance contributions they pay will also be reduced. This is because the Local Government Pension Scheme is contracted out of the State Second Pension.
What benefits will the scheme provide? Does this include partners’ or spouses’ pensions?
The scheme provides an inflation proof pension for you, with a tax free lump sum either built in to the standard package, or offered as an option when you retire.
The Scheme also provides lump sum life from the second you join, plus cover of pensions for dependants including your husband/wife/civil partner/nominated cohabiting partner and dependent children.
What impact may joining have on my basic state pension or other state benefits I am claiming?Joining the LGPS does not affect your right to receive a Basic State Pension when you reach State Retirement Age. You will be entitled to this simply because you have paid National Insurance contributions.
However many other state benefits are income related, so the pension you get from us could impact on whether you qualify for state-funded benefits, such as Pension Credit. You should contact the Department for Work and Pensions if you would like more information about this.
Department for Work and Pensions website 
Can I pay into this pension scheme and other scheme at the same time?
If you have two jobs, one of which is not in local government, you should still be able to pay into our scheme and your other employers’ occupational pension scheme, if they have one.
You can also normally pay into a personal pension or stakeholder pension in addition to ours, as a way of saving more for the future. But don’t forget we also offer an in house AVC scheme which works in a similar way and may cost less to set up.
Topping up benefits: AVCs
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