This option is no longer available for new contracts.
If you were a member of the Scheme before 1 April 2015 you may have chosen to purchase Additional Regular Contributions (ARCs). You were able to buy annual pension, either for yourself or for yourself plus any dependants, in multiples of £250 up to a maximum of £5,000 per year. These contributions must have been paid over a whole number of years with a minimum of one year and contributions could not start on or after your 64th birthday.
The additional pension purchased through this arrangement is payable at retirement. If you draw your pension before age 65 (and not on ill-health grounds) then your additional pension will be reduced as it will be paid early. If you draw your pension after age 65, your extra pension will be increased as it will be paid later. The reduction or increase does not apply to any dependant’s cover which you have chosen to buy.
In the event of ill-health retirement or death before your previous normal retirement age (usually age 65) the Additional Regular Contributions are deemed to have been paid in full.
Further information is available from NILGOSC on request.