Local Government Pension Scheme and Life Assurance

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a valuable part of our pay and reward package. All employees will automatically become members of the LGPS from day one, although there is an opt out option. The employee’s contribution is between 5.5% and 12.5% of pensionable pay depending on salary and the employer currently pays the balance of the cost of providing the benefits. 

There is also a 50/50 option where you can pay half the normal contribution and build up half the normal pension. It is a defined benefit occupational pension scheme (so how much you get depends on your salary and length of service, rather than how much you have paid in).

Life Assurance

Ashford Borough Council’s Group Life Assurance Scheme provides 24 hour life assurance to all employees. Cover continues where employees are temporarily absent e.g. due to sickness or maternity/paternity leave. Cover ceases at normal retirement age or when the officer leaves the council’s employment.

Under the Scheme a lump sum benefit is payable to the Trustees of the Scheme (the Council) in the event of your death. This lump sum is equivalent to twice your basic gross annual salary. Under present law and Inland Revenue arrangements benefits may be payable free of inheritance tax. The benefits received in the event of a claim will be distributed in accordance with a confidential declaration made by you. In the absence of such a declaration, the benefit will be payable to your next of kin.