The Government has extended membership of the LGPS to Councillors and Mayors in England. This change gives access to the LGPS to:
- all mayors and deputy mayors in England
- all councillors at principal authorities in England, and
- all London Assembly members
The change does not apply to town and parish councillors, who will remain ineligible for admittance to the LGPS.
The updated regulations come into force on 11 May 2026, aligning with the first Monday following the local elections.
A bulletin has been published by the LGA for employers and administrators providing more information for the administration of the Councillors Pension Scheme.
Opting in to the Councillors Pension Scheme
From 11 May 2026 eligible elected members will be able to join the LGPS on an opt in basis, in accordance with regulation 3(6) of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013.
Resources for Councillors
An introductory leaflet is available to download below:
Promotional leaflet for Councillors Pension Scheme:
Changes at a glance
- they must opt to join the Scheme - they are not contractually or automatically enrolled
- pensionable pay is defined differently
- they cannot aggregate deferred elected membership with non-elected membership or vice versa
- they cannot flexibly retire
- the rules on immediate payment of pension from age 55 due to redundancy or business efficiency do not apply (because they cannot be made redundant)
- any transfer-in of final salary benefits from a different public service pension scheme will purchase CARE benefits
- their Scheme employer cannot contribute towards additional pension arrangements, except where the arrangement is a ‘qualifying additional pension arrangement’ (QAPA)
- the Scheme employer cannot contribute to a shared cost AVC (other than a salary sacrifice shared cost AVC)
- the Scheme employer cannot award additional pension or waive early retirement reductions