Joining the scheme
New employees with an employment contract of 3 or more months are automatically enrolled in the LGPS scheme. Read the automatic enrolment information below.
New employees with an employment contract of less than 3 months can choose to join the LGPS. They need to complete the election to join form and return it to you for action at the next available pay period.
What you need to do when a new member is enrolled
You should complete the following steps on or before the appointment, or after receiving an opt-in form.
- Introduce the LGPS to the member.
- Tell the member their contribution rate.
- Tell the member when and under what circumstances that rate might change.
- Tell the member who to contact in the event of a dispute about that rate.
- Supply a copy of their pension policy statement.
- Advise Oxfordshire Pension Fund (OPF) about the new member using i-Connect.
- Tell the member where they can find out more information about the scheme.
The following resources may be helpful:
We have created template letters for you to adapt and use that cover most of those steps.
What you need to do when an employee wants to opt out
The LGPS is not a compulsory scheme. A member may choose to leave at any time.
The member will usually ask you for an opt-out form - direct them to the opt out form.
When you receive a complete opt-out form:
- check that they have signed and dated it. Note that an employee cannot complete the form before the start of their employment
- if the member has more than one employment, check that the form specifies which one it applies to
- take the appropriate payroll action to opt the member out
- fill in the 'HR or payroll use only' section on the opt-out form
- send the original form to Pension Services
Once you have completed these steps, no further contributions from either you or the employer will be due.
