Problem with LGPS AVCs with Prudential

AlanP_2

daveyjp said:

AlanP_2 said:

OldBeanz said:

For information. If you apply to increase your payments then you have to start the process by going through the 'I want to increase my pension route' - putting in your employer etc which eventually leads you to the login page and you can complete the form after login.
If you try and login then increase your payments then it takes you to a Personal Pension Form of some 16 pages with Direct Debit instructions to be completed.
I despair about the whole organisation.

My wife and I have LGPS AVCs with SL and we make contribution changes via requests to local LGPS Admin team who notify Payroll.

SL just get what is paid across to them by the employer each month and have no involvement in internal payroll/admin.

Surprised Pru want the the additional grief TBH. 

Is SL a salary sacrifice AVC?

As MX5 says SS is an employer /payroll scheme not a provider scheme. 

Mine wasn't SS as it happens.

edusf03

I rang up the PRU who told me that they would sort out my account and update it which they did within a couple of days.  I found them very helpful.

sailorjack

I'm looking at starting Prudential AVC alongside my LGPS. I have to have a medical with my GP at a cost of £132. Is this normal practice and are there cheaper alternatives out there please?

Silvertabby

sailorjack said:

I'm looking at starting Prudential AVC alongside my LGPS. I have to have a medical with my GP at a cost of £132. Is this normal practice and are there cheaper alternatives out there please?

Never heard of this with AVCs.  Are you also looking at buying additional pension (APCs) as a possible alternative to AVCs?  A medical is normally required for the latter because if you opt to buy £X amount of additional pension over X years, and then depart early on ill health retirement, you would get the whole amount even though you haven't paid for it.  The medical justs asks for confirmation that the Dr can't see any reason why you wouldn't remain fit enough to complete the APC contract.

This has to be carried out by your GP, as anyone else won't have access to your medical history.  Used to be about £80 in my time, so suppose £132 may be Covid inflated?

AlanP_2

Silvertabby said:

sailorjack said:

I'm looking at starting Prudential AVC alongside my LGPS. I have to have a medical with my GP at a cost of £132. Is this normal practice and are there cheaper alternatives out there please?

This has to be carried out by your GP, as anyone else won't have access to your medical history.  Used to be about £80 in my time, so suppose £132 may be Covid inflated?

Maybe ZOOM consultations cost more than face/face ones 

bioboybill

The Pru are still being pretty slow at showing AVC payments. Still nothing showing for my end of October payment and last month it was 19th before the September one appeared.

I complained again last month and their Complaints manager did not uphold my complaint. He said that 19th was well within an acceptable timeframe. Bizarrely my work colleague also complained and his complaint was upheld for being credited on the same date. They really do make it up as they go along!

OldBeanz

The Pru messed up a change in the contributions to its AVC funds- my last missive to the Pension Ombudsman in August suggested they had not shown any sign of ensuring the issue would not happen again. Exactly a year later, the same issue. Nice letter saying it had been changed. I don't know how to get through to this lot.

Thrugelmir

bioboybill said:

The Pru are still being pretty slow at showing AVC payments. Still nothing showing for my end of October payment and last month it was 19th before the September one appeared.

You aren't making a payment as such. When is your employer paying across the contribution?  Payslip is just a paper record no evidence of anything else. 

bioboybill

Looks like the Pru are back to their slow service again. Still no sign of my December contribution. I thought they had their act together again, but clearly not.

bioboybill

And still waiting despite complaining 4 days ago. My next wage is due tomorrow, so heaven knows what will happen with that! Speaking to a colleague of mine, he is in the same boat. Anybody else out there still receiving shoddy service?