LGPS pension statement + transfer confusion

ChasingtheWelshdream

Good evening,

I have emailed the pension department at my authority, but they are generally quite slow in responding, so I'm wondering if anyone can help in the meantime?

I currently have three separate contracts with my local council, and I understand my previous LGPS pension has been transferred. (In that I requested this when I joined, and subsequently received a letter outlining pros/cons of the transfer. I can see my previous authority listed under my 'Membership Details' section for each of my contracts, but length of service is listed as "0". I have not yet had written confirmation of the transfer from either my current or previous authority).

I've just had notification that my member statements are available, and am quite confused trying to decipher them.

I have separate annual statements for each of my positions, but no mention of the transfer anywhere. How should I expect this to be shown? Would I expect to see mention of my LGPS transfer on any of these statements, or will there be a separate statement? Or should I be receiving a letter confirming the transfer amount and what happens going forward?

As I say, I am awaiting a response from the pensions department, but as the transfer took well over 18 months from first requesting it, I am anticipating a long wait!

Any help would be much appreciated. :-)

Silvertabby

If the transfer was completed after 31 March 2019 then it won't show on this year's statements, as they only reflect benefits accrued /transferred in up to that date.

You should receive a letter confirming that the transfer has been completed and how much pension/service has been credited to your current pension record once the process has been completed. You will then see the actual figures on next year's statement (the 0 service just means that your new LGPS is aware of your previous service).

ADD: There's been a huge backlog of transfers - both in and out - pending the resolution of the HMRC GMP reconciliation exercise. Even if you didn't have any GMP (service between 1978 and 1997) you will still have been caught up in it, hence the longer than normal wait.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you Silvertabby, that is really helpful. 🙂

I am unsure of the actual date the transfer took place, but it would definitely have been after March, so I will await confirmation and not hassle the department unduly.

Out of interest, should my previous authority also contact me with a statement up to March? Or would everything come from my new employer?

I’m just trying to make sure I have all the paperwork I should have for my records.

Silvertabby

ChasingtheWelshdream wrote: »

Thank you Silvertabby, that is really helpful. 🙂

I am unsure of the actual date the transfer took place, but it would definitely have been after March, so I will await confirmation and not hassle the department unduly.

Out of interest, should my previous authority also contact me with a statement up to March? Or would everything come from my new employer?

I’m just trying to make sure I have all the paperwork I should have for my records.

You may receive a statement from your old LGPS (or it may be available to view on your on line account) or they may have cancelled the production as there was a transfer in progress. Either way, it will be irrelevant once the transfer has taken place.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thanks Silvertabby, really helpful.