Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

AVC options at retirement

 

With AVCs you pay extra contributions into your fund's AVC plan.

The benefits

  • AVCs don't buy an amount of pension but build up a fund value which you can then use to buy benefits at retirement.
  • You can take your whole AVC pot as a lump sum if you take it at the same time as your main LGPS benefits and the total lump sum (AVC pot + LGPS Lump sum added together) is not more than 25% of the total value of your overall benefits.
  • You can choose the benefits that you purchase at the time of your retirement such as whether a spouse’s pension is payable and whether your pension increases in line with inflation or not.

What if I die – is there any extra death cover?

No – but if you die, the pension pot you have built up will be paid out as a death grant. Please note that it may be possible to pay AVCs to buy life cover only – Prudential offers this, and if you are interested, you should contact them about it if your fund uses them as a provider.

Flexible payments and investment options

  • You choose how much you want to pay each pay period.
  • Contributions are flexible
  • The amount you pay in and the investment option you choose will affect the amount you build up in your pension pot.
  • If you pay tax, deductions taken from your salary will receive automatic tax relief.

The AVC Provider offers a range of investment funds for you to choose from. AVCs are a form of investment and so there are no guarantees, the value of your fund could go down as well as up. Administration charges apply to your AVC fund - your provider will tell you what the charges are.

If you stop paying or leave employment

  • You can stop paying AVC contributions at any time by contacting your AVC provider. The AVC fund you've built up will continue to rise and fall with the fluctuation in investment returns.
  • If you retire because of ill health from active employment you won't receive any enhancement to your AVC fund.
  • If you leave before your LGPS benefits are payable your AVC fund will remain invested. You'll be able to use your AVC fund to get additional pension benefits when the rest of your benefits are paid.
  • If at the time you leave employment you are only entitled to a refund of your contributions, your AVC fund will also be refunded.

If you're interested and for more information about the AVC plans your fund has, read more below below:

Prudential

Prudential’s member website: www.pru.co.uk/localgov

Helpline for existing members: 0345 6000 343

Thinking of starting to pay an AVC? Visit www.pru.co.uk/localgov to find out more and to make an online application. You can also manage your account here once you’re registered. You can also phone Prudential if you prefer to contact them this way.

Please check with your employer if they offer a salary sacrifice shared cost AVC scheme and have partnered with MyMoneyMatters to manage this, as your AVC application may need to be done via your employer.

Scottish Widows

Phone: 0345 733 0805 (new applications) or 0345 716 6777 (existing policies)

For further information go to the Scottish Widows WYPF microsite https://www.scottishwidows.co.uk/work/westyorkshire.html 

Service disruption - important information

Scottish Widows started a system migration in August 2022.

Unfortunately there have been some problems with this meaning that online access for members and administrators to their systems is currently unavailable.

Issues emerging due to the migration:

  • Online access is currently unavailable
  • Members and administrators are calling for AVC information because they cannot self-serve
  • Higher call volumes
  • Higher call wait times

Other issues causing service disruption:

  • Some AVC contributions are not being allocated to members AVC accounts in a timely manner.
  • Some disinvestment cases are being delayed causing delays in WYPF’s ability to pay some retirement benefits on time. We will however monitor the situation on a case by case basis.

Scottish Widows are working to resolve these issues and expect a fix in the next few months. We will keep you updated of any relevant developments to this situation.

Prudential

Prudential’s member website: www.pru.co.uk/localgov 

Helpline for existing members: 0345 6000 343

Thinking of starting to pay an AVC? Visit www.pru.co.uk/localgov to find out more and to make an online application. You can also manage your account here once you’re registered. You can also phone Prudential if you prefer to contact them this way.

Please check with your employer if they offer a salary sacrifice shared cost AVC scheme and have partnered with MyMoneyMatters to manage this, as your AVC application may need to be done via your employer.

Standard Life

For information about this please visit the Standard Life website https://www.standardlifepensions.com/lgps 

Prudential

Prudential’s member website: www.pru.co.uk/localgov 

Helpline for existing members: 0345 6000 343

Thinking of starting to pay an AVC? Visit www.pru.co.uk/localgov to find out more and to make an online application. You can also manage your account here once you’re registered. You can also phone Prudential if you prefer to contact them this way.

Please check with your employer if they offer a salary sacrifice shared cost AVC scheme and have partnered with MyMoneyMatters to manage this, as your AVC application may need to be done via your employer.

 

Useful information

  • AVC factsheet
  • Money helper - your pension your choice

Looking after your pension