From 1 April 2011 your contribution depends on your full time equivalent pay as shown in the table below.
Pay tranche Contribution rate paid on that tranche
Up to and including £18,500 5.50%
Above £18,500 and up to £22,600 7.25%
Above £22,600 and up to £30,900 8.50%
Above £30,900 and up to £41,200 9.50%
Above £41,200 12.00%
To find out your estimated contribution rate, click here to go to our new LGPS contribution calculator or refer to the 2011 2012 tiered contributions look up table.
Your employer pays the rest of the cost of providing your benefits. This amount varies but it’s always enough to make sure your pension can be paid. In 2011/2012 your employer will pay at least 19.3% of your pay.
You get tax relief on your contributions - the tax you pay on your salary is calculated after your pension contributions are deducted.
You’ll also pay lower national insurance contributions on your earnings.
Sickness and maternity, paternity, and adoption.
If you’re on paid sick leave you’ll continue to pay contributions.
If you’re on unpaid sick leave, you won’t pay any contributions - but this time will still count towards your total membership.
During paid or unpaid maternity (up to 26 weeks), paternity or adoption leave, you will continue to pay contributions on any pay you receive. This time will continue to count towards your total membership.
If you take more than 26 weeks’ maternity leave, the extra time won’t count towards your total membership. You can top up your total membership when you return to work. The amount you’ll need to pay is calculated using the rate of maternity pay you were earning right before you started unpaid maternity leave.
More information
For more information about being a member of the LGPS in available from A Guide to the LGPS. If you would rather receive a copy by post, contact us.