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Funding strategy

Funding means ensuring there is enough money available to meet benefit promises due to members now and in the future.

Decisions taken regarding the approach to funding will therefore determine the rate or pace at which this advance provision is made. Although the Scheme Regulations specify the fundamental principles on which funding contributions should be assessed, implementation of the funding strategy is the responsibility of NILGOSC, acting on the professional advice provided by the Fund Actuary.

Funding strategy statement

NILGOSC has prepared a Funding Strategy Statement in accordance with Regulation 64 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014.

The purpose of the statement is to:

  • establish a clear and transparent fund-specific strategy which will establish how employers’ pension liabilities are best met going forward;
  • support the desirability of maintaining as nearly constant employer contribution rates as possible;
  • ensure that the regulatory requirements to set contributions to ensure that the solvency and long-term cost efficiency of the fund are met; and
  • set out a prudent longer-term view of funding those liabilities.

Access our Funding Strategy Statement.

Fund value

The value of the Fund at 31 March 2023 has decreased by £701m to £9.530bn (2021/22 £10.231bn) or -6.85% on the previous year.

Graph Value of the Fund shows the yearly changes in fund value in Sterling from 2014 through to 2023.
As at 31 March 2014, the value of the fund was £5.060 billion. As at 31 March 2015, the value of the fund was £5.821 billion. As at 31 March 2016, the value of the fund was £5.820 billion. As at 31 March 2017, the value of the fund was £7.488 billion. As at 31 March 2018, the value of the fund was £7.549 billion. As at 31 March 2019, the value of the fund was £8.040 billion. As at 31 March 2020, the value of the fund was £7.789 billion. As at 31 March 2021, the value of the fund was £9.795 billion. As at 31 March 2022, the value of the fund was £10.231 billion. As at 31 March 2023, the value of the fund was £9.530 billion.

Market values can fluctuate widely over short periods of time, reflecting short-term changes in investment conditions. In contrast, the triennial valuation of the fund is concerned with the long-term and uses actuarial assumptions. The actuary’s report is included in the Annual Report.

Actuarial Valuation

The assets and liabilities of the Fund are valued every three years by the Scheme Actuary.  Following each valuation, the Actuary certifies the employers’ contribution rates to maintain the viability of the Fund.  The latest Valuation Reports and Statements are available in the ‘Document Library’ section under ‘Valuation Reports’.

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