The McCloud remedy
What is McCloud?
The ‘McCloud' pension remedy describes a retrospective change made to the LGPS regulations in 2023 which allows eligible members to receive protections to the way their pension is calculated for some or all of the remedy period from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2022.
The remedy will either have no impact on your pension benefits or it will increase them but it is important to note that only a small percentage of members typically benefit from the McCloud remedy. We also apply protections automatically.
Pensions made simple: McCloud
In this video, we explain why the LGPS changed from a final salary to a career average scheme in 2014, what the underpin is, who may qualify for protection, and how McCloud removes age discrimination.
We also explain how Gloucestershire Pension Fund will automatically assess your benefits and ensure you receive the higher pension amount if underpin protection applies when you retire.
Having trouble seeing the video? Click here to watch it on YouTube
How do I know if I am eligible?
One of the main criteria that needs to be met is that you must have been paying into the LGPS or another Public Service Pension Scheme before 1 April 2012. But there are also other criteria that apply.
The easiest way to check if you are eligible is by answering these questions .
If you are an active or deferred member and we think you are eligible for the McCloud remedy, we will state this on your annual benefit statement.
If you are a pensioner member, we have already assessed any impact on you, and we would have contacted you if we needed to adjust the benefits you had in payment.
Important: Please note that we have worked out your eligibility based on the information we hold for you, including your service with us and any service your have transferred in. If you have not told us about other public service pension service you have which may make you eligible, then please let us know so we can update our records.
Do I need to do anything?
If you are eligible, and the protection benefits you, we will automatically apply it to your benefits when they fall due.
If you think we may be missing some of your public service pension service (i.e. because you did not transfer it in and you did not tell us) then please contact us so we can see if it makes any difference.
How does the protection apply?
Some aspects of the protection are complex and therefore we have not sought to explain them here, but in general, the main benefit is that if you are eligible, we calculate the value of your pension on both the Career Average and Final Salary basis for the appropriate periods of time in the remedy period (between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2022) and credit you with the higher of the two at the point in time you take your pension benefits.
If you would like to read more detailed information on the McCloud remedy, click here .