Local Government Pension Scheme

The underpin and your pension

• How does the underpin work?

  When you take your pension, your pension fund will compare the career average pension you built up in the remedy period with the pension you would have built up in the final salary scheme. If the final salary pension is higher, the difference is added to your pension.

  The underpin check will take into account the differences in the scheme structures. The Normal Pension Age for pension built up in the final salary and career average schemes is different for most members. The underpin check will also reflect any age adjustment to your pension because you are taking it early or late.

  Visit the What happens if? page for more information on how the underpin works for different members.

• What if I left the LGPS before 1 October 2023?

  If you qualify, you will be protected by the underpin even if you left the LGPS before the rules changed on 1 October 2023. This is the case even if you have transferred your LGPS pension to another pension scheme. See the What happens if…? page for more information about what happens if you are protected by the underpin and you transfer your pension.

• What if my LGPS pension was being paid before 1 October 2023?

  If you qualify, you will be protected by the underpin even if your pension was first paid before the rules changed on 1 October 2023. Your pension fund will review your pension. If it increases because of the underpin, they will let you know. They will also pay arrears of pension payments and interest.

• Are the benefits paid to my family after I die affected by the underpin?

  Underpin protection may affect the benefits payable to your dependants after you die. These benefits may increase because of your protection:

  ·      deferred member death grant

  ·      pensioner member death grant

  ·      pension paid to your partner

  ·      pension paid to your eligible child.

  The protection will apply if a protected member died before the rules changed on 1 October 2023. Your pension fund will check death grants that they have already paid and pensions being paid to partners and eligible children. They will make any extra payments that are due because of underpin protection, plus interest.

  Visit What happens if I am protected by the underpin and I die? for more information.