Rough idea of my return?

woolly_wombat

Your_Hero wrote: »

The additional pension would work out better, because it is index linked,

Yes, that's correct:
https://apc.lgps2014.org/

"Paying Additional Pension Contributions (APC) either regularly over a number of complete years or as a one-off lump sum will allow you to add extra pension or make up for lost pension. The maximum amount of annual pension you can buy using an APC is £6,500 (as at 1.4.2014). This figure will increase each year in line with the cost of living."

and also comes with spouse's pension.

It used to be possible to opt, at greater cost, for additional spouse's pension but that option ceased with the new LGPS rules introduced on 1 April 2014:
https://apc.lgps2014.org/tacextra.php

"[FONT=&quot]In the event of your death, no extra pension benefits will be payable to your dependants in respect of the extra pension bought (as the APCs buy extra pension for you only)[/FONT]"

WW

System

Hi

An AVC is worth considering because...

You can get tax relief.
Choose a low volatility/risk fund
Adjust the amounts occasionally

Then you get an amount of money that can be

Taken as cash, subject to certain rules
Buy a pension LGPS or elsewhere

You could have the APC option as well.

My guess is the APC is best value when it has been in payment for 20 years, the early years look as though the money could have bought better benefits elsewhere. So if you expect to live a long healthy (and happy) retirement the index linked growth is very attractive.