Action required by 05/07/2021

In the April 2021 edition we informed you that we would require completion of the 2020/21 Annual Allowance spreadsheet completed and return to finance.pensionstechnicaltraining-mailbox@devon.gov.uk by 5^th July 2021.

This will ensure we can complete the relevant calculations and inform affected members by the statutory deadline.

Please note we also need those employers who have no affected members to confirm this too by completing the front sheet of the spreadsheet.

Average of best 3 consecutive years in 13

If a member suffers a reduction in their rate of pay in the final 10 years before they leave or retire, they can elect to look at the best 3 consecutive years in the last 13. For simplicity, these 13 years all end on 31 March rather than anniversaries of the date of leaving.

It would be good practice to remind your members of this protection and that it is their responsibility to request this in writing at any time, up to one month before they leave to initiate the above protection.

We would ask you to please refer any affected employees to the Pensionable Pay page which helps to explain the protection and process involved.

Amendments to the LGPS Leaver Form

We have made some more amendments to the leaver form:  

• As forms are coming through a secure system, we have removed the need for the employers authorisation box.
• There is no longer a need to attach a copy of the optout form you just need to complete the details requested. You must however keep the original or a copy of the form on your records in line with The Pensions Regulators guidance
• We ask that you complete all sections and questions asked on the form,  including both final pensionable pay and actual pay figures, for all leavers - the only exception is if the member opted out within 3 months and contributions have been refunded through payroll. We believe that if all the information is provided at date of leaving, it makes it easier for all concerned.

In some cases, we are still receiving older versions of the form which do not include all the required information. Please do not stockpile leaver forms, always download the form from ESS as that will always be the latest version.

Please see our website for help with completion of the form.

Consultations published: Cost control and discount rate methodology

HM Treasury has published consultations on the cost control mechanism and the discount rate methodology alongside a written ministerial statement.

Both consultations are available to view on the non-scheme consultations page of www.lgpsregs.org and www.scotlgpsregs.org

Devon EAS5 Form error

Due to an update some Devon employers are having technical issues with the EAS5 form.  If you are receiving a ReCAPTCHA error message on submission then please clear your cookies by clicking CTRL+F5.

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 online form.

You can also use this form to notify us of your IDRP Stage 1 Appeals Officer, your Payroll Provider, your contact for Interfaces and to sign up to our employer newsletter Pensions Line

Change of Payroll Provider & Provision of Data

It is important that you contact the Employer & Communications Team if you are changing your payroll provider. We can then work with you to ensure you put processes in place to retain access to historical payroll information and continue to fulfil your responsibilities as a Scheme employer.

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. 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. 

TUPEs & 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.

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