1. Pensions Forum
23 February 2010

2. Agenda Ill Health Retirement update Regulation Changes
Outsourcing Issues
Valuation / Data Quality
Pensions Section Performance and Volumes
Service Level Expectations
New web site
Contribution bands
Pensions Increase
High Earner taxation / benefit restrictions
Current Issues
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

3. Ill Health / GAD Update
The Pensions Section will shortly be checking that all Medical Advisers on the approved list are still current
The approved list will then be available to all employers to use on a “Pool” basis rather using specific advisers
Approval for further advisers will be restricted
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

4. Ill Health Type GAD Analysis of Ill Health retirements December 2009
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

5. Ill Health Age Distribution
GAD Analysis of Ill Health retirements December 2009
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

6. Ill Health Regional Differences
GAD Analysis of Ill Health retirements December 2009
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

7. Regulation Changes Dec 2009
Changes to the meaning of “Pensionable Pay: JE / Single status one off compensation payments not pensionable
Clarity on Final Pay Reductions: up to 13 years
Option to convert unfunded benefits into LGPS Benefits (re-introduced)
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

8. Regulation Changes
Facility to purchase additional survivors benefits for Nominated Cohabiting partners
Pension Services will be writing to members in this category shortly
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

9. Outsourcing Contracts
Pension Scheme and employee considerations
CLG have produced admitted body guidance which is available via their website:
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

10. Outsourcing Contracts
Pension Scheme and employee considerations
Pension scheme information must be included in tender documentation
A report must be prepared by the scheme actuary the cost of this is approximately £6000
Pension Services can supply a standard data collection spreadsheet for this purpose
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

11. Valuation / Data Quality
The Pension Fund 3 yearly valuation will take place this year, in addition:
are reviewing all LGPS pension scheme data for “Cost Share” analysis.
GAD have issued stringent guidance re data quality and the deadlines for returns has been set in the scheme regulations
Timescales for year end returns this year are very tight
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

12. Valuation / Data Quality
Year end data must be with Pension Services by
09 April 2010
Data investigation enquiries from Pension Services will require priority treatment
Expanded Year end return instructions will been issued very shortly
If sufficient demand is received a training session in Stafford will be held for Payroll Sections during March
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

13. Pensions Section Performance
Service Standards
The Pensions Section has been continuously striving to deliver an improved service and faster turnaround times for scheme members and employers………..
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

14. Pensions Section Performance
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

15. Pensions Section Performance
Workload Volume
The section has seen a substantial increase in the volume of cases processed in the past 12 months………..
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

16. Pensions Section Performance
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

17. Service Levels from employers
To maintain a high level of service the section requires timely submission of information from scheme employers
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

18. Service Levels from employers
The following show the average length of time a termination form is received after a scheme members date of leaving for all employers and also for the larger employers.
There is a large variation between the very best and worst turnaround times…………
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

19. Service Levels from all employers
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

20. Service Levels from larger employers
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

21. Service Levels from employers
In order to provide scheme members with the highest possible levels of service the Pension Section would like to minimise employer lead delays to essential processes as far as possible
Notices can be sent directly to
The section is happy to offer any assistance you may require in order to streamline your notification processes
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

22. Staffordshire Pension Fund web site
A new web site has been launched for the Staffordshire Pension Fund at:
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

23. Staffordshire Pension Fund web site
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

24. Staffordshire Pension Fund web site
As well as expanded member and fund information the site now includes an “Employer” Section
This can be accessed via password access, details have been previously issued to HR and payroll sections
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

25. Staffordshire Pension Fund web site
Currently the employer section includes an on line version of the procedure guide.
Very shortly all employer forms in regular usage will be available in “on-screen” format
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

26. Salary contribution bandings
Due to negative RPI to September 2009 CLG have announced that there will be no index linking of the current bands this year
From the previous consultation on banding equality CLG have stated it is still possible changes to bands could still be made a very short notice
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

27. Pensions Increase April 2010
Again due to negative RPI to September there will be no increase on Pensions or Deferred Benefits this year 0%
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

28. High Earners – Tax Changes
April 2010 Tax changes:
Reduction in personal allowance for those earning over £100,000 (Pension contributions are offset against income when calculating this restriction)
New tax band of 50% for annual incomes of more than £150,000
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

29. High Earners – Tax Changes
Restrictions on new AVC contributions for employees earning more than £130,000 p.a.
Please contact Pension Services
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

30. Current Issues
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

31. Current issues Challenges facing the LGPS Affordability Public Envy
New Scheme?
Change in Government?
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

32. Current issues Challenges facing the LGPS Possible outcomes:
Greater share of costs to be borne by the scheme member
Career average structure
Change to accrual rate
Benefits capping for higher earners
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

33. Further Information Staffordshire Pension Fund web site:
Telephone (01785)
Pay cut - must take place after 1 April 2008

34. Questions?