When you join the scheme, you're placed in the main section of the scheme. However, once you're a member you will be able to elect to move to the 50/50 section if you wish.
How the 50/50 section works
The 50/50 section gives you the ability to pay half your normal contributions. This flexibility may be useful during times of financial hardship. It allows you to remain in the scheme, building up valuable pension benefits, as an alternative to opting out of the scheme and losing your entitlement to death in service and ill health retirement protection.
You should be aware that if you move into the 50/50 section, you will build up a smaller amount of pension. It is half the amount of the main section and being in the 50/50 scheme longer term will impact the amount of pension that is built up for retirement.
You can view the current pay bands and contribution rates to find out how much you would pay.
If you elect for 50/50 your employer would move you to that section from your next available pay period. You would then start paying half your contributions and build up half your pension, during the time you are in that section. When you make an election for the 50/50 section your employer must provide you with information on the effect this will have to your benefits in the scheme.
If you were to die in service whilst in the 50/50 section of the scheme, the lump sum death grant and any survivor pensions would be worked out as if you were in the main section of the scheme. The same applies if you're awarded an ill health pension (which may include an amount of enhanced pension). If an amount of enhanced pension is added to your pension account this is worked out as if you were in the main section of the scheme.
How long you can stay in the 50/50 section
The 50/50 section is generally a short-term option for when times are tough financially. Legislation states that your employer must re-enrol you back into the main section of the Scheme every three years from the date they first had to comply with the automatic enrolment. If you wish to continue in the 50/50 section at that point you would need to make another election.
If you go onto no pay due to sickness or injury, you will be moved back into the Main section by your employer. On your return to work you can make a further 50/50 election, if you wish, to move back to the 50/50 section.
There is no limit to the number of times you can elect to move between the main and the 50/50 section.
Apply to join the LGPS 50/50 section
To make an application to join the LGPS 50/50 section download the Election to opt into the LGPS 50/50 section form (PDF, 551.38KB) and return it to your employer.
If you have more than one job in which you contribute to the scheme you need to specify which jobs, you wish to be moved to the 50/50 section. If you hold jobs in the LGPS with different employers, you will need to complete and return a separate form to each employer.
Apply to re-join the LGPS main section from the 50/50 section
To make an application to re-join the LGPS main section download the Election to re-join the LGPS main section form (PDF, 147.98KB) and return it to your employer.
If you have more than one job in which you contribute to the scheme you need to specify which jobs, you wish to be moved to the main section. If you hold jobs in the LGPS with different employers, you will need to complete and return a separate form to each employer.
Applications must be returned to your employer and not the Avon Pension Fund to enable them to make the necessary payment reductions from your salary.
