There are two sections in the scheme - the MAIN Section and the 50/50 Section.
The contribution you pay ensures you remain a member of the pension scheme to then be entitled to a pension based on a 1/49th of your annual pensionable pay (if you are in the 50/50 Section you build up a pension based on 1/98th of your annual pensionable pay).
The LGPS is known as a Defined Benefit (DB) pension scheme - which means the benefits you build up are set out in law and are not based on investment return or affected by instability in the stock markets.
The MAIN section
The MAIN section of the scheme is the section you will be placed in automatically when you commence employment (or opt in to the LGPS).
In the MAIN section, you pay your normal contribution rate and build up your normal amount of pension each year (i.e. 1/49th of your pensionable pay).
The 50/50 section
Once you are a member of the LGPS under the MAIN section you can elect to opt in to the 50/50 section if you wish.
If you do so, you will then pay half your normal contribution but, whilst you are in the 50/50 section, you will only be building up half the normal pension (1/98th of your pensionable pay).
If you have more than one employment you can elect for the 50/50 option in one, some or all of your employments.
Regardless of the section you are in, you receive full life assurance cover and you are fully protected under ill-health retirement regulations.
The rate of contribution you pay is based on your actual pensionable pay. There are nine different contribution rates ranging from 5.5% to 12.5% - see table below.
Your employer will assess the rate of your contribution for each employment based on your actual pensionable pay.
You must be part of the MAIN section before you can elect to opt in to the 50/50 section of the Scheme.
Signing up to the 50/50 section of the LGPS
To opt in to the 50/50 section of the LGPS please complete and return the 50/50 election form and return to your payroll department.
On receipt of the completed form, your payroll department will commence your 50/50 pension contributions from the first available pay period following your date of election.
Employee contribution rates
The 2025/2026 employee contribution rates within the MAIN and 50/50 Sections of the LGPS are detailed below. These should be applied for the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
| Employee contribution bandings 2025/2026 |
| Band |
Salary Range |
Contribution
Rate
MAIN Section
|
Contribution
Rate
50/50 Section
|
| 1 |
£0 to £17,800 |
5.5% |
2.75% |
| 2 |
£17,801 to £28,000 |
5.8% |
2.9% |
| 3 |
£28,001 to £45,600 |
6.5% |
3.25% |
| 4 |
£45,601 to £57,700 |
6.8% |
3.4% |
| 5 |
£57,701 to £81,000 |
8.5% |
4.25% |
| 6 |
£81,001 to £114,800 |
9.9% |
4.95% |
| 7 |
£114,801 to £135,300 |
10.5% |
5.25% |
| 8 |
£135,301 to £203,000 |
11.4% |
5.7% |
| 9 |
£203,001 or more |
12.5% |
6.25% |
Opting back in to the MAIN Section
You can opt back in to the MAIN Section of the LGPS at any time by completing form LGS10B.
Once completed please return to your payroll department who will commence contributions under the MAIN section from the next available payday.
