Employer discretions (policies and guidance)
It is a statutory requirement for each scheme employer to have a discretions policy which covers the compulsory discretions as a minimum and includes the optional discretions for clarity.
The regulations around discretions include:
- LGPS 2013: Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013
- LGPS 2014: Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions, Savings and Amendments) Regulations 2014
- LGPS 2007: Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations 2007
Having a discretions policy gives employers some control over the LGPS, especially if it’s written to suits the needs of the organisation. It is good practice for our scheme employers to review their discretions policy regularly and make it available to their employees. Employers must also send Hampshire Pension Services a copy of their up-to-date policies within a month of making any changes.
Hampshire Pension Services have provided more information about discretions in the employer’s manual.
