Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales - Access and Fairness
Collection of Additional Opt-Out Data
Beyond a headline figure, the government is interested in who is choosing to opt-out of the scheme and why.
The government proposes to publish a Gov Form alongside the new opt-out form that administering authorities should be using when a member chooses to opt out. The current opt-out form does not have to include a section for members to say why they are opting out, nor their personal circumstances. Whilst some administering authorities do already collect this information, the government intends to formalise its collection. Our proposal is to add a new Regulation (5(6)) to the 2013 Regulations:
“A notice under paragraph (2) must be given in the form approved for that purpose from time to time by the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board.”
The new proposed optional Gov form will ask members their reasons for opting out, as well as additional information on profession type, working hours and salary, gender, age, ethnicity, marital status and dependants. This form can be completed by employees at their discretion at the time in which they choose to opt-out of the scheme.