Amendments to ESS Leaver form

We have made some further changes to the leaver form. We regularly review our processes to identify improvements where possible. However, it became apparent that the recent change regarding the ‘tick box’ on the ESS Leaver form resulted in more work than intended. You will be pleased to hear that the tick boxes have been removed and replaced with statements.

AVCs and salary sacrifice

We understand that many employers are considering introducing salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (SCAVC) arrangements. The Local Government Association (LGA) have created a guide that sets out what they think employers need to be aware of in relation to salary sacrifice SCAVC arrangements. You can access the guide here: Salary sacrifice SCAVCs and the LGPS – England and Wales

Payroll Providers & Provision of Data

We are experiencing problems with some third-party payroll providers not submitting data or leaver forms on time or not willing to use our templates and forms which puts you as the employer at risk of exceeding disclosure regulations deadlines. Responsibility for providing pension data falls with scheme employers so it is important that your payroll provider understands what is required, when it is required and the processes in place.

If you are thinking about changing your payroll provider, please contact the Employer & Communications Team ahead of the change. We can 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.

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

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, you will need to consider obligations regarding the affected employees’ pension rights. Please do not submit any leaver forms as this will complicate the process – for more information on what you need to do, please visit the TUPE and Admitted Bodies page on our website.

Contacts

Employer & Communications Team

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