This section of the site is intended for LPFA employers. In this part of the site there is information for employers, including news about the LPFA and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

A number of commonly used forms are also available to download along with the scheme guide for employers.

PLEASE NOTE THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOW BE MAKING USE OF LPFA'S ONLINE FORMS FOR COMMON SUBMISSIONS.

This will improve the flow of data and lead to benefits to the Member.

The forms can be found at www.yourfund.org.uk where a username needs to be requested before an employer can submit data. The forms currently available are:

• Joiners
• Change of Address
• Change of Hours
• Absence
• Return from Absence
• Estimate
• Leaver

If you have any queries please go to the contacts page, this will allow you to get to the correct team quickly.

Glossary

We have tried to make our publications and communications as simple as possible, but in certain areas it is difficult to avoid using technical terms. We have therefore provided a glossary with a ist of the most commonly used technical terms.

Data Matching

Data Matching is the activity involving the comparison of personal information from different sources e.g. matching payroll data to the information held by the LPFA. The data matching process identifies where errors in the data have occurred or where data is not the same in both sources.

10 Good Reasons for Data Matching (PDF 235KB)

Information for Employers on strikes and pension buy back

This note (PDF 18KB - opens new window) contains information on how employers should handle absence through strikes. A form to hand out to members has also been produced. Please note that pension buy back must be actioned within 30 days.

LG 221 - Absences (PDF 205KB - opens new window)

2010 Valuation Report

The 2010 Valuation Report (PDF 1MB - link opens new window) has now been finalised and approved by Board. This document provides details on the funding position across LPFA’s two sub-funds and notes the assumptions used in coming to these conclusions.

Employer Panel

The minutes of the last LPFA Employer Panel meeting are now available for download:

Employer Panel Minutes 20th January 2011 (Word - 72KB)

Employer Panel Minutes 23rd September 2010 (Word - 62KB)

Employer Panel Minutes 22 September 2011 (PDF - 41KB)

The next Panel meeting will take place on the 22nd September 2011. If you or your organisation would like to participate on the Panel, please contact Emily Sanders at communications@lpfa.org.uk

Employer Forum

The 2011 Employer Forum took place on the 2nd of December 2011 at City Hall. LPFA would like to thank all the employer’s who attended this years event and for all the constructive feedback and ideas.  Should you wish to provide any further feedback please don’t hesitate to contact the Communications Team. The events presentation slides are now available bellow.

• All presentations (MS Powerpoint 12MB)
• Pensions regulator presentation (MS Powerpoint 956KB)

Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS)

The aim of the PAS is to ensure that both LPFA and its employers are fully aware of their responsibilities under the Scheme and to identify acceptable levels of performance. All employers were asked to sign up to the PAS by 1st April 2010 and to comply with standards set by the Service Level Agreement. It should be highlighted that under the LGPS regulation the terms of the PAS apply to all employers whether they have signed up or not, it is however preferable that all employers engage with LPFA on this matter.

 The ultimate aim of this strategy is to educate employers to provide accurate and timely data to LPFA which will improve the service provided to scheme members. Failure to comply however could result in a charge being levied in accordance with terms set out in the schedule of charging. .

Please see the final version of the PAS documents below which set out service standards expected to be met by both employers and LPFA.

• PAS Policy Statement (PDF 39KB - link opens in new window)
• Regulation Extract (PDF 46KB - link opens in new window)
• Variation of Contribution Rates (PDF 57KB - link opens in new window)
• Service Level Agreement (PDF 36KB - link opens in new window)
• Brief Employer Guide (PDF 65KB - link opens in new window)
• PAS Schedule of Charging (PDF 13KB - link opens in new window)

LPFA Employer Discretions

LPFA as an employer is under a duty to prepare certain discretionary policies under the LGPS Regulations 2008. These must be published and kept under review. Please see LPFA’s current discretionary policies relating to increase of service or pension, early payment of benefits and flexible retirement.

Increase of Service/Pension - During employment or upon leaving

The LPFA will award discretionary added service or additional pension only with the prior approval of the Board and only where there is a clear financial or operational advantage to be gained by the Authority by so doing.

Subject to Board approval, the Authority will award added service or additional pension upon recruitment only if it has experienced recruitment difficulty for the specific post and if the award of such service will secure a suitable recruit.

Early payment of benefits under flexible retirement provisions following members request to receive all or part of their benefits, after age 55 (or in the case of a person who is a member on 31st March 2008, and who makes such a request before 31st March 2010 after age 50)

A request for early payment of retirement benefits under flexible retirement rules will be permitted only where there is a clear operational or financial advantage to be gained by the Authority by so doing. Further that any decisions regarding such payment are, within the above policy, delegated to Principal Officers.

Early Payment of Benefits on members request between age 55 and 59 (or in the case of a person who is a member on 31st March 2008, and who makes such a request before 31st March 2010 between age 50 and 59)

A request for early payment of benefits received from a current employee will be accepted only with the consent of the Board and only if there is a clear financial or operational advantage for the Authority in so doing. A request for early payment of deferred benefits other than on grounds of permanent ill-health or compassion received from a person who was last a member of the Fund as an LPFA employee at some time after 31st March 1998, will be accepted only where there is no financial disadvantage to the Authority.

A request for early unreduced payment of benefits on compassionate grounds (i.e. waiving of percentage reduction in respect of early retirement on compassionate grounds), will be accepted only where the former member is prevented from full-time working due to the need to care for a dependant. Further that decisions regarding early payment of deferred benefits are, within the above policy, delegated to Principal Officers.