I feel this was a very good presentation, giving an overview of the NILGOSC scheme which was easy to understand and presented very well by the speaker.
Attendee from recent session
This session is a high level overview of the current Career Average Scheme from 2015. It is suitable for employees who have joined the pension scheme recently and is also helpful for employees who have opted out but may wish to know more about the Scheme. The session will explain the main Scheme benefits, contributions and AVCs/APCs, transfers and aggregating other pensions. There will also be a demonstration of how to access My NILGOSC Pension Online to keep track of their NILGOSC pension and to plan for future retirement. Topics covered include:
- Scheme Background
- What to Expect upon Joining and Anything That You Need to Do
- Benefits of Being in the Scheme
- Increasing and Decreasing Your Contributions
- Leaving the Scheme Before Retirement
- Retirement
- My NILGOSC Pension Online
- Questions and Answers
Upcoming Sessions
Friday 13 September from 10am to 11.30am
For a rundown of all our Training Sessions, click here
Previous Sessions
This session was held in January 2024. You always have the opportunity to leave feedback after attending one of our sessions using the Online Feedback Form.
Welcome to the Scheme Video Transcription (328 KB, PDF)
Questions and Answers
I have a pension from a previous employer, can I transfer into NILGOSC?
Yes, if you are still within 12 months of joining. Please complete form LGS8 and send it to us either by email or using the document upload facility in My NILGOSC Pension Online.
At any point in employment can you increase voluntary contributions?
If you are paying AVCs you can increase, decrease, stop and start again at any time. If you are paying APCs you can only increase or decrease by ending the existing contract and starting a new one. The new contract will be based on your age at the time the new contract starts.
Can you pay APC for lost pension from a career break a few years ago?
You can start an APC at any time, however for your employer to pay two thirds of the cost you are required to make the election within 30 days of returning to work. Your employer may choose to waive the 30 day limit, under certain circumstances in line with their policy, and you can have a chat with them to see if it would apply to your break.
Can you transfer a pension into AVC in the first 12 months, or after 12 months?
No, AVC payments can only be made through your payroll.
Is Prudential the only choice for AVCs?
Prudential is the in-house AVC provider. You can contribute to any freestanding AVC provider, however you will only be able to take up 25% of the FSAVC fund as tax-free cash. The benefit of an in-house AVC is that your main Scheme benefits are included in the calculation of your total pension fund value and therefore 25% of this is a much higher tax-free cash figure than with a FSAVC.
What is the weblink for pension reductions please?
We would recommend that you register and check this using ‘My NILGOSC Pension Online’ but the reduction percentages can be found here: https://nilgosc.org.uk/members/retiring/early/
What impact does maternity leave have on pension contributions? Does it mean you fall under a lower contribution band given that the salary during a maternity absence is lower?
You will continue to pay at your usual percentage rate but you will only pay on what is received. The amount of contributions you pay will be lower but you will continue to build pension on the pay you were earning before the maternity leave.
In relation to death benefits, does it matter how you die?
No, the benefits payable are determined by the regulations and are not impacted by the cause of death.
I’ve tried to register for My NILGOSC Pension Online but it doesn’t recognise my date of birth.
Please phone our office and we will be able to verify your date of birth with your employer and help you complete your registration.