Local Government Pension Scheme

Overview

As an LGPS member, you build up a pension that will increase in line with the cost of living for the rest of your life after you take it. You can exchange part of your pension for a tax-free lump sum that is paid when you take your benefits.

You can only choose to swap pension for lump sum when you first take your LGPS pension. You cannot change your decision later. It is important that you think carefully and make the right decision for you.

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Your lump sum choice

When you take your pension benefits, you can choose to swap part of your pension for lump sum. For every £1 of annual pension you give up you will get a lump sum of £12.

If you were a member of the LGPS before 1 April 2009, you will have built up a lump sum. See the section on How your pension is worked out for more information. Most members will still be able to give up part of their pension to increase their lump sum.

When you take your pension, your pension fund administrator will ask you if you want to swap any of your pension for lump sum. They will generally let you know:

• how much pension you have built up, and any automatic lump sum if you joined before 1 April 2009
• the maximum lump sum you can take
• the reduced pension you would receive every year if you choose the maximum lump sum.

You can choose to swap any amount of pension for lump sum, up to the maximum limit. If you elect to swap pension for lump sum, your pension will be reduced. Any survivor pension paid to your partner or eligible children will not be affected.

You must tell your pension fund administrator that you wish to swap pension for lump sum before your LGPS benefits are paid. You may wish to seek financial advice before making your decision. It is important that you Contact your pension fund in advance of taking your pension so they can let you know your options.

Once you have chosen what lump sum and pension to take, you cannot change your decision. You cannot elect to swap pension for lump sum once your pension is being paid to you.

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How much lump sum?

HM Revenue and Customs limits the amount of tax-free lump sum you can take when your pension is paid to you. From 6 April 2024, the maximum lump sum is the lowest of:

• 25% of the capital value of your benefits
• £268,275
• £268,275 less the total lump sums you have already taken.

If you have taken a serious ill health lump sum, a further limit will also apply. The maximum lump sum you can take is £1,073,100 less the serious ill health lump sum and any other pension lump sums you have already taken.

The Lifetime Allowance was removed from 6 April 2024. However, if you hold a valid Lifetime Allowance protection, you may be able to take a lump sum that is larger than £268,275.

If you have a Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) you may not reduce your pension below the level of your GMP. This means that your maximum lump sum may be lower than the limit set by HM Revenue and Customs.

If you have paid Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) you may be able to take some or all of these as tax-free cash when you take your LGPS pension.

Your pension fund will let you know your options when you are taking your pension.

Use the Lump sum calculator to estimate:

• the maximum lump sum you could take
• the reduced pension that you would get with your chosen amount of lump sum
• if you have an AVC and want to take some or all of it as a lump sum, how that would affect your options.

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Withdrawing AVCs as taxable lump sums

You may be able to withdraw cash lump sums from your AVC funds. These are called uncrystallised funds pension lump sums (UFPLS). You can do this from age 55 (or earlier on ill health). You can withdraw these amounts at different times from taking your LGPS pension. The first 25 per cent of each withdrawal is usually tax free with the remaining 75 per cent taxed as ordinary income. Speak to your AVC provider for more information.

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