Transferring previous pension benefits

You can choose to transfer your previous pension benefits into the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) from:

• a previous LGPS Fund
• a previous Employer’s pension scheme (including overseas schemes)
• a self-employed pension plan
• a ‘buy-out’ policy
• a personal pension plan
• a registered overseas pension scheme
• a stakeholder pension scheme
• an Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) arrangement

It is not possible to transfer a pension credit into LGPS – a pension credit is a share of an ex-spouse’s or civil partner’s pension benefit, from a divorce.

Your application to transfer any previous pension benefits into the LGPS, must be received within 12 months of joining the Scheme. To apply for a transfer, you will need to complete the Transfer Authorisation Form (DOC) Transfer Authorisation Form and return it to your Employer’s HR Team.

Your request to investigate a transfer will not be binding until you have received all the figures and sign the forms to confirm you want the transfer to proceed.

You should give serious consideration before transferring your pension benefits into LGPS, and need to understand if this option will be beneficial to you. You may wish to take Independent Financial Advice before making this decision.