If a deferred member rejoins the LGPS (NI) on or after 1 October 2023 they can choose to combine their two periods of membership within 12 months of re-joining. Only employers can choose to extend this 12-month period for members. NILGOSC cannot do this.
Members have a lot to consider when they are thinking about combining their benefits and the Re-joining the Scheme Guide sets out these considerations in Section 5. You can also refer to Section 2.3 of the Employer Guide. As a result of the recent rule changes, members will also need to consider what happens if they have underpin protection on their deferred benefits. The main considerations if their deferred benefits are protected by the underpin are:
- If they keep their benefits separate, their deferred benefits will retain their underpin protection, but their new pension record will not have underpin protections.
- If they have a disqualifying break and combine their pension records, they will lose underpin protection.
- If they do not have a disqualifying break and combine their benefits, they will keep their underpin protection.