Local Government Pension Scheme Campaign

UNISON seeks Consultation Timetable for 2020 Protection

Surrey UNISON — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:09:44 +0000

[LGPS Campaign Newsletter 58] We have already had a commitment from Local Government Minister Phil Woolas that he intends to consult on extending full protection to 2020. LGPS members in Scotland have already been offered full protection to 2020 and the same is likely in Northern Ireland. We are making it clear that this is a crucial issue for UNISON and we are demanding that the timetable for consulting on extending protection is urgently published.

LGPS Benefit Regulations for England and Wales

Surrey UNISON — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:58:55 +0000

The new Regulations were laid on 4 April. Although they are on the statute books, none of the changes come into force until 1 April 2008. The Regulations are posted on the Communities and Local Government website (CLG) www.communities.gov.uk

These Regulations do not address the issue of protection for the ‘Rule of 85’, which is being dealt with separately.

Summary of what the Regulations say [LGPS Campaign Newsletter 57]

Appendix A - Member contributions

Consultation on extending protection to 2020

Nick Kirk — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:12:00 +0000

[LGPS Campaign Newsletter 56] Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has said that he intends to consult immediately on extending full protection to 2020 for those currently eligible to full protection to 2016, tapered to 2020. Delegates attending the Local Government Special Conference in London on 6 March backed the "substantial negotiated improvements" in the proposals for the new LGPS and called for talks to continue on the outstanding issues. Formula for the calculation of part-time workers’ contributions and loss of 5% manual workers’ protected rate negotiations continue.

Calculate your Pension Benefits

Nick Kirk — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:52:21 +0000

The aim of this 'ready reckoner' is to allow members to compare their pension benefit entitlements before and after the proposed changes, using scenarios tailored specifically to each member. The modeller is intended to act as a guide to members for illustrative purposes only. Download the Excel spreadsheet and guides here.

Draft Redundancy and Efficiency Provisions Changed

Nick Kirk — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:02:43 +0000

[LGPS Campaign Newsletter 53] Following further negotiations and lobbying, the DCLG produced revised draft Regulations on redundancy and efficiency on 2 February. Regional briefings on the DCLG’s proposals for the new LGPS from 2008 have now all taken place. UNISON has now produced an on-line ready reckoner for members so that they can see what impact the draft Regulations would have on their personal pension. Please make sure that your branch has registered by 12 February for the Special Local Government Conference so that your views are reflected in this hugely important debate about the future of your pension scheme. Recruitment - Union density counts for everything when we are negotiating with Government and employers on issues such as pay and pensions. Make sure the branch has got your correct details in preparation for a consultation ballot.

New Leaflet and PowerPoint presentation

Nick Kirk — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:02:08 +0000

The LGPS & you [stock no.2516] Acrobat PDF version
Contact the branch for leaflets

Draft Regulations for a new look Local Government Pension Scheme
This PowerPoint highlights key elements of the governments proposals.
PowerPoint PPT version

The new LGPS proposals include:

Retention of a final salary scheme
Improved accumulation rate from 1/80 to 1/60 (only on contributions from April 2008)
Partners’ pensions for all, backdated to 1988
Improved death in service benefit from x2 to x3 the lump sum
The average employee contribution will be 6.3%. The maximum increase after tax will be 0.7%

Some proposals are unacceptable and need further negotiation. These are:

The limited protection to 2016, tapered to 2020
The redundancy and efficiency proposals
Ill health retirement provisions
Calculation of part time workers’ contribution rates

NB. Full protection from the removal of the 85 year rule has already been proven to be affordable for all existing scheme members. 65% of women and 90% of men, between 2001and 2004, were eligible to retire on a full pension at age 60. The government has already ruled that existing members of the uniformed police, armed forces, NHS, civil service and teachers' pension schemes - colleagues we often work alongside - should be able to retire at 60 and have their pensions benefits protected.

Special Local Government Conference

Nick Kirk — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:49:44 +0000

The Special Local Government Service Group Conference will be held at 1.00pm on Tuesday 6 March 2007 at Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London N22 4AY. The sole purpose of the conference is to consider the Local Government Pension Scheme. The Preliminary Agenda has now been published and distributed to local government branches. It is important that all Local Government Service Group branches send delegates.

The new LGPS and you - UNISON Briefing

Nick Kirk — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 23:06:03 +0000

"This briefing summarises the principal proposals in the draft Regulations and how the proposed benefits compare with the current ones. It also highlights whether the proposals are in line with trade union side policy and identifies where we consider improvements or changes are required. The draft Regulations seek to simplify and streamline the existing Regulations and because of this there is a need to clarify the intention behind some of the changes. In the briefing we give a few examples of how the changes could affect your pension. Our detailed analysis of the changes from the current scheme continues and we are also working on a 'ready reckoner' that will contain more detailed information about how your pension might be affected."

Click here to download the PDF (1.3Mb)

Negotiations continue - draft LGPS Regulations released

Nick Kirk — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:06:37 +0000

[LGPS Campaign Newsletter 49] Draft Regulations released 22 December; First look at draft regs here; Closing date for consultation 28 February 2007; Phil Woolas responds to points raised by the Trade Unions and employers; No further protection offered; 5% contribution rate for manual workers to be scrapped in favour of variable employee contribution rates; Special Conference update.

South East Region Pensions Forum

Paul Couchman — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:58:54 +0000

Dates: 2pm to 4pm - 10 January 2007
Venue: Mandolay Hotel (formerly the Carlton Hotel), 36 London Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2AF

I trust you will be able to make this crucial campaigning forum in this long running dispute and possibly preparing for industrial action should the Consultative Regulations not meet our requirements.

Please contact Brendan Nee at the Regional office for further information:
Tel. 0870 770 1112
e-mail: southeast@unison.co.uk