How can I contact the Strathclyde Pension Fund Office?
Full contact details can be found on the contact us page of this site.
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Can I get advice from the Strathclyde Pension Fund Office?
We are not licensed to give financial advice but we are willing to assist with any aspects of your pension rights.
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How are my deferred benefits calculated?
The LGPS is a final salary pension scheme. This means the payment you get is based on your final year’s pensionable pay and total membership.
For service up to 31 March 2009, the annual pension payment is worked out by dividing your final pay by 80 (by 60 for service after 31 March 2009) and multiplying this by your total membership.
To work out your lump sum for service up to 31 March 2009, divide your final salary by 80, multiply this by your total membership, and then multiply the final figure by 3.
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What do you mean by pensionable pay?
Pensionable pay is any part of your pay from which contributions have been deducted - basic pay, bonus payments, contractual overtime, and weekend enhancement.
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What is my final year’s pensionable pay?
Final year’s pay is the pensionable pay received over the last 365 days before date of retirement.
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What happens to my benefits if I defer them?
Your deferred benefits are fully inflation proofed, their value increases each April in line with inflation. In this way, your pension always maintains its purchasing power.
Unlike personal pensions your benefits are guaranteed by law and can't be affected by stock-market fluctuations.
If you rejoin the LGPS you can link up your deferred benefits.
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What if I should die before receiving my deferred benefits?
If you left service before 1 April 2009 and die before your deferred benefits come into payment then a lump sum death grant equal to your deferred benefit lump sum (including any pension increases) would be paid to your nominated beneficiary or beneficiaries.
If you leave service after 31 March 2009 the death grant is five times your deferred pension.
To nominate someone to receive a lump sum on your death, complete a Nomination Form.
There will also be a pension payable to your spouse if you are married or have entered into a civil partnership before leaving the scheme. Spouse's benefits may be payable even if you marry or enter into a civil partnership after leaving.
If you left after 31 March 2009 you can nominate a cohabiting partner to receive a survivor's pension by completing this form: NCP.
Any dependent children would also qualify for a pension. A child’s pension will be payable for so long as the eligible child remains in full time education or up to their 23rd birthday.
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When will my deferred benefits be paid?
Your deferred benefits will be paid from your 65th birthday but can be paid to you from your 60th birthday onwards.
Members employed before 1/12/2006 and who would become 60 before 31/03/2020 and satisfy the rule of 85 (age plus service equals 85) can take unreduced benefits at their 60th birthday. If you entered the pension fund after 1/12/2006 and choose to take your benefits at 60 these would be subject to a reduction.
However your benefits can be paid earlier if you become ill and the illness means that you would be permanently unable to do the job that you held you got your deferred benefits.
Your former employer may also agree to your deferred benefits being paid early if you are over age 50. But if you left before 1st April 1998 your employer can only consider claims on compassionate grounds.
Please contact your former employer if you wish to apply for your deferred benefits to be paid early.
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