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NILGOSC News: Members

I am a pensioner with underpin protection?

Took your pension before 1 October 2023 – NILGOSC will review the pension that you are being paid.  If the pension you would have built up between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 in the final salary scheme would have been higher than in the career average scheme, then your pension will be increased.  NILGOSC […]

I am a deferred member with underpin protection?

Left the LGPS (NI) before 1 October 2023 – NILGOSC will recheck your record and work out provisional underpin figures.  The final underpin figures will not be worked out until you take your pension at retirement. Left the LGPS (NI) on or after 1 October 2023 – NILGOSC will include the underpin in the calculation […]

I am an active member with underpin protection?

You do not need to do anything.  When you take your pension, NILGOSC will compare the pension that you have built up from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022 in the career average scheme with the pension you could have built up had the final salary scheme continued.  If the final salary pension would […]

How much does a Good Health medical cost?

A Good Health medical costs £165 (2024/25 figure).

If you have pension rights in another public service pension scheme where Club Transfer rules apply

Providing you have not had a break of more than five years between leaving another public service pension scheme and joining the Scheme and the election to transfer is made within 12 months of joining the Scheme, the transfer may be dealt with under Club Transfer rules. The amount of extra pension which is added […]

If you have pension rights in a non-LGPS arrangement

If you have paid into another pension scheme you may be able to transfer these benefits into the Scheme.  The other pension scheme must be another registered pension scheme or from a European pensions institution. You have only 12 months from joining the Scheme to elect to transfer your previous pension rights or such longer […]

Will there be a cost to my employer?

There may be a cost to your employer depending on a number of factors: Your age at the date of retirement. In the event of redundancy, although you are retiring early, you are entitled to the immediate and unreduced payment of your Scheme benefits. Your employer will be required to pay to the Scheme any […]

Can I use some of my redundancy payment to buy a larger pension?

No, but your employer may award additional pension in certain circumstances and you should discuss this with them if you are interested in finding out if this could apply to you.

Can I use my statutory redundancy payment from my employer to increase my NILGOSC benefits?

No.

What will my statutory redundancy payments be?

NILGOSC does not calculate statutory redundancy amounts and your employer will advise you of your entitlement to statutory redundancy. More information on entitlement to redundancy pay is available at https://www.gov.uk/redundant-your-rights.  A statutory redundancy calculator is available at http://www.direct.gov.uk/redundancy.dsb.

Do I still need to pay National Insurance Contributions after I take voluntary redundancy to keep my State Pension entitlements?

The contributions you have paid during your working life will determine your level of State Pension. If you retire before the State Pension age you may want to think about making some top-up contributions either to boost the amount of your State Pension or to make sure that you will get bereavement payments for widows […]

Will taking voluntary redundancy affect my entitlement to any state or social benefits?

Your pension will be classed as taxable income and you should check with the relevant benefit agencies if this income will affect your entitlements. You should always declare the pension payments you receive when applying for benefits.