Peninsula Pensions team update

COVID 19 has had a massive impact on people around the world having to deal with the illness itself, possibly the loss of loved ones, lockdowns and social distancing impacting significantly on both personal and working lives.
The Peninsula Pensions team have adapted well to homeworking with our key focus being the calculating and payment of scheme benefits to members and their survivors.
In the last 2 months the Member Self Service portal has seen an additional 11,400+ members sign up. The pensions team have developed the portal further to enable letters to be uploaded for the member to view and respond to all within a secure environment. We do however have a few of the team attend the office a couple of times a week to maintain a postal service for those members that are unable to use the online service.
We would also like to thank Employers for using Employer Self Service and provide a reminder that there are help guides and videos available on our website, if training is required please contact our employer liaison officer, Mark Griffin.
The systems team would also like to thank everyone who have sent in their end of year interfaces, Jane Aplin will be in contact with those that have not been able to provide the data in the coming days to establish a way forward ensuring our statutory duties are met.
Stay safe and well
Shirley Cuthbert
Employer & Communications Manager

Revised Pension Administration Strategy update

Revised Pension Administration Strategy update
Unfortunately due to the COVID 19 lockdown restrictions the implementation of the revised PAS for both Pension Funds has been delayed, we do however expect it to be finalised within the next couple of months.

Obtaining I R M P opinions during the pandemic

The Local Government Association has received queries about obtaining opinions from Independent Registered Medical Practitioners (I R M Ps) during the current crisis. The Association of Local Authority Medical Advisers (A L A M A), confirmed that ill health applications should continue to progress during the pandemic. Please see our website for the full statement.

LGA LGPS Covid 19

The LGA Pensions Team are running a 30 to 40 minute Zoom webinar aimed at LGPS employers. The webinar will cover employer issues that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Government measures put in place in their response. A recording of a previous session is now available for viewing and can be found at the following link;- LGA webcast.
Please see our website for further details.

Provision of Data

It is important that you put processes in place to retain access to historical payroll information when you change payroll provider so that you can continue to fulfil your responsibilities as a Scheme employer

TUPE’s & New Academies

If you are outsourcing services and have a number of staff who will be subject to TUPE and moving to a new employer or your school is converting to an Academy or moving MAT, please do not submit any leaver forms as this will complicate the process – instead there is a staff data capture spreadsheet you can complete on our website.

Keep us updated

Please remember to keep us updated with any changes in staff responsible for completing our forms (authorised signatories). This can be done by completing our via our online form.

You can also use this form to notify us of your IDRP Stage 1 Appeals Officer and any delegated authorised contacts.

Payment of Pension Fund Contributions

Please remember to inform us and the relevant Finance team each time you have paid your pension scheme contributions, by filling in the Monthly Contributions Form. If we receive the returns right away with the payments and they are correct - it makes the process so much easier, so please ensure that you build this form into your procedures.

If you are a Somerset Pension Fund employer, please contact the Corporate Finance Team for a copy of the Monthly Contribution Return: Corporatefinancepens@somerset.gov.uk

If you are a Devon Pension Fund Employer, you will need to use the online EAS5 form. If you have not already registered, a login can be obtained from the Employer and Communications Team.

Contacts

Employer & Communications  Team

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