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The campaign to protect the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
The LGPS consultation ballot timetable has now been confirmed. The ballot will open on the 2 Jul 07 - when ballot papers will start to be sent to members' homes - and will close on the 23 Jul 07.
UNISON is recommending a Yes vote in the ballot. Through a combination of hard negotiations and your tough campaigning we have secured real improvements within the new LGPS. Given the pressure from Government and employers to cut benefits and increase costs at the start of the campaign, no one could have predicted such improvements at the start of this campaign over two years ago. Key ones are:
- Retention of a final salary pension - despite Government pressure for a 'career average' scheme and the closure of 75% of final salary schemes to new members across the UK
- A better accrual rate of 1/60 , rather than 1/80 - meaning our pensions
will build up faster - Improved early retirement factors which cut the reduction to your pension
if you choose to retire early - Partners' pensions for all, backdated to April 1988 for unmarried partners
- Better death in service and death in retirement benefits
- No two-tier scheme - meaning all existing members can benefit from
the
improvements from 1 April 2008 - unlike elsewhere in the public sector - An average employee contribution rate of 6.3%, rather than the 7% the
Government and employers wanted - and lower than both the NHS and Civil
Service schemesIn addition we have also campaigned for and won a statutory consultation on
extending full protection under the Rule of 85 in England and Wales to 2020.
New regulations laid in Parliament - 5 Apr 07
A more detailed briefing for members is available (external link, opens in a new window).
Local government members back pension talks - Mar 07 (external link, opens in a new window)
Where we stand now - the latest on the current negotiations
LGPS 'Ready Reckoner' is ready! (8 Feb 07)
UNISON has now produced a ready reckoner (opens in a new window) for members with our actuaries, AON, so that they can see what impact the draft Regulations as they stand would have on their personal pension.
The LGPS & You (28 Jan 07)
UNISON knows just how important your pension is to you. That's why we want you to know the government's latest proposals for the LGPS. Read the contents of The LGPS & You (112KB - opens in a new window) and let your steward or pension contact know what you think or e-mail
lgps@unison.co.uk by 5 Feb 07.