Increasing your benefits

Buying extra pension (APCs)

You can buy extra pension by paying Additional Pension Contributions (APCs) regularly, over a period of time, or you can buy extra pension by paying in a one-off lump sum. You will need to undergo a medical assessment at your own expense if you choose to buy APCs by paying regularly.

The option to buy extra pension with APCs is only available to you whilst you are part of the Main Section of the Scheme. If you are paying reduced contributions in the 50/50 Section, you are unable to buy extra pension by paying APCs.

The maximum amount of additional pension you can buy from 1 April 2024 is £8,344 (this figure will increase each year in line with the cost of living). The amount it costs depends on how much extra pension you want to buy, the age you start paying the extra contributions and the length of time you want to pay them for.

You can only buy extra pension for yourself and not for additional dependants' benefits.

Any extra pension bought will come into payment at the same time as your other benefits from the Fund. However, they may be reduced for early payment if you choose to have your benefits paid before your normal pension age, or you are retired on the grounds of redundancy or business efficiency before your normal pension age.

You can obtain a quote to buy extra pension at the LGPS Member website. The online calculator will allow you to look at the cost of buying varying amounts of extra pension and the payment methods available to you. Please use this facility to calculate costs only. 

Do not send us any of the documents produced during your calculations.  

You can contact the Pensions Office for further information on paying APCs and our current medical fees.

Application to buy extra pension

Additional pension contributions deducted from pay

Please note that you cannot pay by this method if you are within 12 months of your normal pensionable age. Your only option is to pay by lump sum. If you are unsure of your normal pensionable age, you can use the State Pension Calculator at GOV.UK: Check your state pension age to check.

To make your application:

  • complete the APCs application form and send it to the Pensions Office with your birth certificate (we will accept a photocopy)

On receipt of your application we will send you a medical questionnaire for completion and return to the Fund's medical officer. The cost of this medical review must be paid by you when you submit the medical questionnaire.

Payment by lump sum

To make your application:

Bank name: Lloyds Bank

Branch: South Shields

Sort Code: 30 97 89  

Account Number: 35572568

 

As the full cost is payable immediately, you do not need to complete a medical questionnaire.

Shared cost APCs

Shared cost APCs cover the amount of pension "lost" during periods of unpaid additional Maternity, Adoption and Paternity leave or periods of unpaid authorised leave of absence.

Shared cost means that if you want to cover such a period, the cost of buying the "lost" pension is shared between you and your employer, with your employer meeting 2/3rds of the cost (provided you make an election to buy the "lost" pension within 30 days of returning to work).

Shared cost APCs can be a one off lump sum or regular amount over a period of time.  You will need to undergo a medical assessment at your own expense if you choose to buy Shared Cost APCs by paying regularly.

Before you can use the online calculator you must obtain a written statement from your employer showing the amount of pensionable pay lost during your absence. You can then calculate a quote and print off an application form to buy lost pension at the LGPS Member website. Send the application to your employer and they will check the details and send it to the Pensions Office. 

You can also contact the Pensions Office for further information on paying Shared Cost APCs and our current medical fees if you choose to pay by regular contributions.

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