Can anyone join the LGPS?

09:00, 16 Apr 2008

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is available to all employees under the age of 75 in Local Government, or in other organisations that have chosen to participate in it. Teachers, police and firefighters are not allowed to join. If you become employed in Local Government (other than Town and Parish Councils) with a contract for at least 3 months, you will automatically become a member of the LGPS unless you opt not to join. Some casual employees will not be eligible to join the scheme

If you choose to opt out of the scheme, your election to do so must be made within the first 3 months of your employment to enable a refund of any contributions already deducted to be paid to you. A refund cannot be made if you have been in employment for more than 3 months. If you become employed by a non-local government organisation your employer may automatically bring you into the scheme, but you will have the right to opt out of membership, or your employer may have a policy under which you have to make an election to join the scheme.

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