Councillors

From 11 May 2026, eligible councillors and mayors are once again able to join or rejoin the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). 

What’s changed 

From 1 April 2014, the LGPS was closed to new councillor members. 

Councillors who were already members before this date were able to continue contributing until the end of their term of office. At that point, their benefits then went on hold. 

Who can take part 

The LGPS is open to: 

• Councillors 
• Elected mayors 

You can join whether you are new to the scheme or were previously a member and wish to rejoin. 

Joining or rejoining the LGPS 

Membership is not automatic, so you will need to opt in. 

To become a member, you must: 

1. Download, print and complete the C3 Joining form for elected members only. 
2. Return your completed form to your employer. 

What happens next 

1. Your employer will send GMPF your information.  
2. GMPF will set up your pension record and send you official notification. 

When your payments start 

If you opt in, your pension contributions will normally start from the next available payroll. 

Key things to know 

• You must opt in – you will not be enrolled automatically. 
• Contributions will be deducted directly from your pay. 
• The amount you pay depends on your earnings. 
• You may be able to link new membership with previous LGPS benefits (where applicable). You will generally have 12 months from joining the LGPS to request to transfer your previous pension. 
• Re-enrolment is not automatic. If you wish to remain in the scheme and are still eligible, you must complete and return a C3 Joining Form to your employer approximately every three years.  

Find out more 

For more information about being a member of GMPF, please visit the relevant pages on our website. We’ve refreshed these sections to make it easier for you to understand the recent regulatory changes and what they mean for you. You can also visit www.lgpsmember.org for further information about the LGPS and what it offers. 

You can manage and monitor your GMPF pension in real time using My Pension, including updating your contact details and death grant nomination details. For more information on My Pension visit our webpage What is My Pension? For more information or support registering and using My Pension visit our webpage Help with 'My Pension'.