For Councillors: How is my pension calculated?

Your pension formula explained

The annual pension that you build up is based on a set formula and not based on your or your authority's employer contribution amount or on the amount of investment returns.

How this works depends on the periods of time you spent in the scheme. Your pension may cover one or both of the periods described.

Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme benefits

The amount of annual pension that you build up is known as a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme. 

Your CARE pension is built up annually (1 April - 31 March) and calculates an annual pension using the formula:

Pension = Accrual Rate x Pensionable Pay

(The current Accrual Rate for the LGPS is 1/49th)

Martin earns £25,000 in allowances in a year. His annual pension is calculated as follows:

£25,000 x 1/49 = £510.20 per annum

Inflation is added each scheme year (1 April - 31 March).

The table below uses example figures:

Start Date End Date Opening Balance Pensionable Pay Pension Accrued Closing Balance Inflation Total Annual Pension 
01/04/2024 15/02/2025

£1,034.22

£25,000.00 £510.20 £1,544.42 3.1 £1,592.29
01/04/2023 31/03/2024 £518.87 £25,000.00 £510.20 £1,029.07 0.5 £1,034.22
01/04/2022 31/03/2023 £0.00 £25,000.00 £510.20 £510.20 1.70 £518.87

Martin's pension is paid to him each year from Normal Retirement Age (his State Pension Age) until his date of death.

Martin's annual pension is increased each year in line with Cost of Living (CPI) inflation.

Martin earns £25,000 in allowances in a year. His annual pension is calculated as follows:

£25,000 x 1/49 = £510.20 per annum

Inflation is added each scheme year (1 April - 31 March).

The table below uses example figures:

Start Date End Date Opening Balance Pensionable Pay Pension Accrued Closing Balance Inflation Total Annual Pension 
01/04/2024 15/02/2025

£1,034.22

£25,000.00 £510.20 £1,544.42 3.1 £1,592.29
01/04/2023 31/03/2024 £518.87 £25,000.00 £510.20 £1,029.07 0.5 £1,034.22
01/04/2022 31/03/2023 £0.00 £25,000.00 £510.20 £510.20 1.70 £518.87

Martin's pension is paid to him each year from Normal Retirement Age (his State Pension Age) until his date of death.

Martin's annual pension is increased each year in line with Cost of Living (CPI) inflation.