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For Councillors: How much do I pay?

How your earnings and choices affect your contributions

Your contribution rate depends on

 How much you earn annually.

  If you are in the main section of the scheme or move to the 50:50 section.

Note: The annual pension that you build up is based on a set formula and not on your contribution amount, the contribution rate of your authority or the level of investment returns.

Your authority pays the balance of the cost of providing your benefits. The amount will vary, but averaged over time, an authority pays approximately two thirds of the scheme's costs and you (the member) contribute one third. All contributions are invested and those returns also contribute to the cost of paying the benefits due to members.

Member contribution rate table

These are the earning bands that applied from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027; these will be updated annually. They are based on your actual earnings.

A single contribution rate applies to all your earnings and is deducted before tax, meaning that you receive 'tax relief' (i.e. you pay less in tax as a result).

Pay Band If your yearly pay is Member contribution rate (main section) Member contribution rate (50:50 section)
1 Up to £18,400 5.5% 2.75%
2 £18,401 to £29,000 5.8% 2.9%
3 £29,001 to £47,300 6.5% 3.25%
4 £47,301 to £59,800 6.8% 3.4%
5 £59,801 to £84,000 8.5% 4.25%
6 £84,001 to £119,100 9.9% 4.95%
7 £119,101 to £140,400 10.5% 5.25%
8 £140,401 to £210,700 11.4% 5.7%
9 £210,701 or more 12.5% 6.25%

What if I have more than one role?

If you have more than one role your contribution rate will be determined separately for each role by each relevant authority (and you will also build up more than one pension).

What happens if I am on reduced pay due to an absence from work?

Your authority should deduct the same percentage rate of member contribution as applied immediately before the reduction but apply it to the new amount of pay you are receiving. For example, this would mean that if you rate of pay halved then the amount of actual contributions would be half (ignoring the impact of tax relief). 

Similarly, if you are still in your elected role during the absence but receiving nil pay, you will pay no member contributions.  

50:50 section

Click on the block below to see more information of the 50:50 section of the scheme

You can also download a 50:50 contribution flexibility form  and send it to your authority if you would like to move to that section of the scheme.

Overview

The LGPS offers you the flexibility to pay half your normal contribution rate and build up half your normal pension. This is called the 50:50 section of the LGPS. You keep full life and ill-health cover if you join the 50:50 section.

The 50:50 section is designed to help members stay in the scheme, building up valuable pensions benefits during times of financial hardship. The table above shows the current contribution rates in the main and 50:50 sections of the scheme.

 

How to move to the 50:50 section

When you join the LGPS you will be put into the main section of the LGPS. In the main section, you pay the normal contribution rate in return for normal pension build up. Once you are a member of the main section you can elect in writing to move to the 50:50 section.

You can download a 50:50 contribution flexibility form , or you can ask your authority for one. If you elect to join the 50:50 section, you will start paying reduced contributions from the next available pay period.

There is no limit to the number of times you can elect to move from the main section to the 50:50 section and back again.

 

Leaving the 50:50 section

After you have joined the 50:50 section, you can choose to move to the main section of the LGPS at any time. You will need to let your authority know in writing. If you want to move to the main section, you can download a 50:50 contribution flexibility form , or you can ask your authority for one.

The 50:50 section is designed to be a short-term option. Your authority must move you back into the main section of the scheme roughly every three years. There may also be other scenarios where you authority moves you back in the main section of the Scheme; if they do, you can elect to go into the 50:50 section again at a later date.

Overview

The LGPS offers you the flexibility to pay half your normal contribution rate and build up half your normal pension. This is called the 50:50 section of the LGPS. You keep full life and ill-health cover if you join the 50:50 section.

The 50:50 section is designed to help members stay in the scheme, building up valuable pensions benefits during times of financial hardship. The table above shows the current contribution rates in the main and 50:50 sections of the scheme.

 

How to move to the 50:50 section

When you join the LGPS you will be put into the main section of the LGPS. In the main section, you pay the normal contribution rate in return for normal pension build up. Once you are a member of the main section you can elect in writing to move to the 50:50 section.

You can download a 50:50 contribution flexibility form , or you can ask your authority for one. If you elect to join the 50:50 section, you will start paying reduced contributions from the next available pay period.

There is no limit to the number of times you can elect to move from the main section to the 50:50 section and back again.

 

Leaving the 50:50 section

After you have joined the 50:50 section, you can choose to move to the main section of the LGPS at any time. You will need to let your authority know in writing. If you want to move to the main section, you can download a 50:50 contribution flexibility form , or you can ask your authority for one.

The 50:50 section is designed to be a short-term option. Your authority must move you back into the main section of the scheme roughly every three years. There may also be other scenarios where you authority moves you back in the main section of the Scheme; if they do, you can elect to go into the 50:50 section again at a later date.

What happens if I am on reduced or nil pay due to an absence from work? 

You can use an Additional Pensions Contract (APC) to buy back lost pension; contact us for more information regarding this option.