The Hidden Benefits of the LGPS
- MMM
- May 30, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Let's talk about the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), why it’s so good, and how as an LGPS member you have options to make your retirement even better. We'll go over the value it offers and highlight a fantastic feature that many people don't know about but can seriously boost your pension savings.
The LGPS Advantage:
The LGPS offers its members a range of benefits that make it an attractive pension scheme. These include a secure, index linked retirement income for life. You also benefit from tax relief on contributions, have early retirement options, flexibility in contributions, and robust protection by being a public sector scheme.
Given recent economic challenges, these often-overlooked features reinforce the true value of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
However, there is an additional feature that many members may not be aware of — the Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme, and it can make a huge difference to your future financial wellbeing.
Unlocking Hidden Value: Shared Cost AVCs
Ever heard of Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)? This retirement benefit enables you to enhance your pension pot by contributing some of your salary pre-tax – and it’s exclusive to members of the LGPS. It's a way to be a bit smarter with your money and help it go much further for your future.
Due to a reduction in Income Tax AND National Insurance contributions (NICs) on contributions, for regular taxpayers every £1 is boosted by 38%, and if you pay higher taxes, it's an even bigger 72% boost – a simple way to make your money work harder for you.
If it’s flexibility you want, Shared Cost AVCs allow you to potentially retire early and take your pot as a tax-free lump sum when you retire.
Employer Benefits:
Your organisation also wins with this. If you’re an employer in the public sector, not only can you gain from accessing Shared Cost AVCs as an LGPS member, but you can generate valuable savings and better retention by offering the benefit.
The organisation can save money via a reduction in employer NI at 14.3% on the additional contributions made by their employees from their salary, making everyone happy right from the start. It's a win-win situation that helps everyone involved; employees get better retirement options, and the organisation saves at a time when it’s really needed!
If you don’t have access to this benefit as an LGPS member, you are entitled to it – you just need to ask your employer to provide you with access.
If you’re an employer reading this, Shared Cost AVCs can boost the financial wellbeing of your LGPS workforce significantly whilst generating savings for your organisation – and they’re easy to implement.
One of the most valuable retirement benefits out there, Shared Cost AVCs are really worth considering to enhance your benefits package and provide better retirement support for employees in the LGPS.
The Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) are a game changer for LGPS members. It's impressive how this feature can boost pension savings significantly, especially with the tax benefits. As someone who is also exploring financial well-being strategies, I see the value in maximizing retirement funds. For more insights, you might find Clean the Golf Yard Wiki helpful.
It's fascinating to learn about the Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) and how they can significantly enhance LGPS members' retirement savings. The fact that every £1 contributed can see a boost of up to 72% for higher taxpayers is a game changer. This is a practical strategy that not only benefits individuals but also helps organizations save on employer National Insurance contributions. As someone exploring ways to maximize savings for future financial stability, this insight is incredibly valuable. For anyone looking to get creative with budgeting, consider tools like Photo From Emoji to transform your financial planning.
This is a helpful overview for anyone who wants to understand how the LGPS can support a stronger retirement. The promise of explaining an often-overlooked feature that may significantly improve pension savings makes the article particularly useful. Apart from pension articles, I also follow game information and guides on Anime Expeditions.
I found the discussion of hidden LGPS benefits especially valuable because many employees may contribute for years without fully understanding all their available options. Clear guidance like this can encourage people to plan earlier and use the scheme more effectively. When I am reading about entertainment instead, I also browse Anime Limitless.
The article makes the LGPS feel much easier to understand by focusing on practical benefits rather than complicated pension terminology. Highlighting features that many members may not know about could help readers make better retirement decisions. On a different topic, I also use Taskbar Hero.