The Pensions Act 2008, introduced by the UK Government to help people save for their retirement led to the introduction of – Pension Auto Enrolment.
Since 1 February 2013, the Council has automatically enrolled new employees into a relevant pension scheme i.e. the Local Government Pension Scheme or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme every pay period .
The Council has a legal obligation to Re-Enrol employees into the relevant pension scheme on the Third Anniversary of the Council’s staging date.
In order to carry out our legal obligation an assessment of employees will be carried out to determine who we will need to Re-Enrol on our Re-Enrolment date of 1 April 2019
Re – Enrolment of employees into the pension scheme applies to all employees who are not in the Local Government Pension Scheme or Teachers Pension Scheme (LGPS / TPS) and who:
- Have left the pension scheme more than 12 months before the re-enrolment date of April 2019
- Are aged between 22 and under State Pensionable Age
- Have earnings i.e. earning at and above £833.00 per pay period
- Have stayed in the pension scheme but have chosen to reduce the level of pension contributions ( 50 / 50 Option )
If you meet the above criteria, we will enrol you into the relevant Pension Scheme on 1st April 2019
A Pre -assessment of employees will be carried out in February 2019.
The Council will then write to those employees to inform them that they may be re-enrolled into a pension scheme should they still meet the same criteria when the final assessment is carried out in April 2019.
After the final assessment has been carried out in April 2019 The Council has 6 weeks from the re-enrolment date to inform employees they have been put back into a pension scheme.
The Council does not have to write to those who are not being put back into a pension scheme.
You have the right to join a pension scheme at any time prior to 1st April 2019 by opting in if you wish.
If you wish to join the LGPS / TPS, you will need to complete an opting in form.
This may be obtained on line www.teacherspensions.co.uk or by contacting HR People Services on 029 2087 2222 or e-mail hrpeopleservices@cardiff.gov.uk
After, but not before, Re- Enrolment, you may choose to opt out of the scheme, but if you stay in you will have a pension, which will be paid to you when you retire.
Both you and the Council will pay into the pension every month. If you are a taxpayer, the Government will also contribute through tax relief.
PENSION RE- ENROLMENT APRIL 2019 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cardiff Council is committed to supporting employees to ensure that everyone is able to access the information they need. These Frequently Asked Questions have been produced to explain Pension Re- Enrolment that will be happening in April 2019
1. What is Pension Re- Enrolment?
Re-enrolment is the process where an employer must re-enrol employees who have “Opted Out” or voluntarily ceased active membership of a relevant pension scheme i.e. the Local Government Pension Scheme or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme every pay period.
2. Why is this happening?
The Government has introduced the new law (The Pensions Act 2008) to help people save more for their retirement. The Government’s aim is for more people to have another income on top of their State Pension when they retire.
3. What is happening in April 2019?
The Council has a legal obligation to Re-Enrol employees into the relevant pension scheme on the Third Anniversary of the Council’s staging date.
4. Is everyone being enrolled into a workplace pension in April 2019?
Re – Enrolment of employees into the pension scheme applies to all employees who are not in the Local Government Pension Scheme or Teachers Pension Scheme (LGPS / TPS) and who:
Have left the pension scheme more than 12 months before the re-enrolment date of April 2019
Are aged between 22 and under State Pensionable Age
Have earnings i.e. earning at and above £833.00 per pay period
Have stayed in the pension scheme but have chosen to reduce the level of pension contributions ( 50 / 50 Option ) (see Q7)
If you meet the above criteria, we will enrol you into the relevant Pension Scheme on 1st April 2019(But see Q9).
5. What if I have more than one job with the Council?
You will be re-enrolled into a workplace pension for each job you hold within the Council if the above criteria is met.
6. Will this apply to eligible Cardiff Works employees?
Yes.
7. I have opted for the 50/50 section of the Local Government Pension Scheme. What does this mean to me?
The 50/50 section is designed to be short-term, and we are required to re-enrol you back into the main section of the scheme very three years. You are also able to revert to the main section of the LGPS at any time by obtaining an election form by contacting Pensions Section, Room 345, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 2087 2334, by e-mail at pensions@cardiff.gov.uk or by visiting their website www.cardiffandvalepensionfund.org.uk
8. What if I want to continue in the 50/50 section?
If you wish to continue in the 50/50 section, you will need to make another election. You will need to contact Pensions Section, Room 345, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 2087 2334, by e-mail at pensions@cardiff.gov.uk
or by visiting their website www.cardiffandvalepensionfund.org.uk
9. Can I join the workplace pension scheme before April 2019?
Yes. Provided you are employed by the Council, you may opt into a relevant pension scheme at any time. If you want to join the LGPS/TPS, you will need to complete an opting in form. This may be obtained on line www.teacherspensions.co.uk / contacting Pensions Section, Room 345, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 2087 2334, by e-mail at pensions@cardiff.gov.uk or by visiting their website www.cardiffandvalepensionfund.org.uk
10. What happens next?
A Pre -assessment of employees will be carried out in February 2019 based on the criteria stated in Q4.
The Council will then write to those employees to inform them that they may be re-enrolled into a pension scheme should they still meet the same criteria when the final assessment is carried out in April 2019.
11. What do I do if I receive a letter?
This letter is for information purposes only.
12. What will happen in April 2019?
A final assessment of employees will be carried out to determine who will be automatically re-enrolled into a workplace pension in April 2019. The Council will then write to those employees to confirm the pension scheme that they have been Re- enrolled into from 1st April 2019.
13. When will I receive a letter?
The Council has 6 weeks from the re-enrolment date to inform employees they have been put back into a pension scheme.
The Council does not have to write to those who are not being put back into a pension scheme.
14. If I am a member of the workplace pension scheme how do I know what my pension will be when I retire?
Those employees in the LGPS Cardiff and Vale Pension Fund receive an Annual Benefit Statement in August each year. Those employees in the Teachers’ Pension Fund can access their statement via the TP online portal at www.teacherspensions.co.uk .This tells you how much your pension has built up so far and how much you might get when you reach the schemes pension age.
15. Where can I get further information on the pension schemes?
Information on the LGPS Cardiff and Vale Pension Fund is available on the Council’s Intranet pages or by contacting the Pensions Section, Room 345, County Hall, Cardiff CF10 4UW. Tel: 029 2087 2334, by e-mail at pensions@cardiff.gov.uk or by visiting their website www.cardiffandvalepensionfund.org.uk. General information on LGPS may be found at www.lgpsmember.org
For those in the Teachers Pension Scheme information can be obtained from:
Teachers Pension Scheme
11b Lingfield Point
Darlington
DL1 1AX
Tel: 0345 6066166
e-mail: tpwebadmin@teacherspensions.co.uk
16. Where can I get more general information on pensions:
General information on pensions and saving for later life can be found on:
www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions
Request a document in an accessible format.