The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has launched a new guide aimed at assisting new and participating employers in the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The guide, named A guide for employers participating in the LGPS: Best practice is intended to provide an overview of the financial commitments, administrative duties and regulatory requirements for joining employers.

The PLSA noted that a significant 11 per cent increase in membership between 2014 and 2015 means that assisting new employers in navigating the LGPS is growing in importance.

The guidance will help employers adopt a HR strategy, good governance for managing scheme participation, financial and risk management of scheme contributions and liabilities, contract management and the ability to evidence the best practice to stakeholders.

PLSA head of governance and investment Joe Dabrowski, commented: “The last few years has seen an increasing number of scheduled and admission bodies joining the LGPS, driven in particular by the conversion of many schools into academies. It’s often not made clear to them why they’re joining the scheme, which can make employer engagement difficult for the LGPS. This can result in new employers underestimating their obligations, particularly with regards to data requests.

“In order to help both the LGPS and new members of the scheme we have released the second in our series of LGPS guides. The new guide aims to explain what is required of employers in simple terms, offering explanations of pension terminology where necessary.”

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