Transferring pension in  

You can bring previous pension rights from schemes in the Public Sector Transfer Club into LPF. Your former scheme can tell you if they're part of the Transfer Club or see the list on the Civil Service Pension Scheme website.

It’s important to note that you have only 12 months from your date of joining to make an election in writing to Lothian Pension Fund that you wish to proceed with a public sector transfer. The process to transfer in previous pension rights can take several months. A request for an estimate is not regarded as an election to proceed.

Some of the schemes who participate are:    

  • all other Funds administering the Local  Government Pension Scheme   
  • the Civil Service pension scheme , NHS pension schemes  and the teachers' pension schemes  (Note: require physical signed copies returned) 
  • the Armed Forces pension scheme   
  • the Police and Fire pension schemes      

The Fund doesn’t accept transfers from personal pensions, stakeholder pensions, pension credits from pension sharing orders or schemes not in the Public Sector Transfer Club.   

If you'd like to transfer in to Lothian Pension Fund download the Transfer In form.

 

Transferring out your benefits to a new Scheme 

You can only transfer your benefits to a new scheme if you are no longer paying in.  Find out how to transfer out in the Deferred Members section.

Popular questions

  • Can I transfer in pension from my previous scheme?

    The LGPS can only accept transfers from other public sector schemes (i.e. local councils schemes in Great Britain, the Civil Service, the Health Service, the Teachers' pension scheme, the Police and Fire schemes and Armed Forces schemes etc). We can no longer accept transfers in from personal pension policies, including stakeholder plans, or from non-club schemes.

    If you have pension rights with a Public Sector Scheme, transfer requests require to be made within 12 months of joining the LGPS.

    If you meet the above criteria and wish to apply to transfer a previous pension from a Club Scheme, download and complete a transfer form. The form is also available within your welcome pack which can be found on our My Pension online facility.  

  • Keeping your pension in the Pension Scheme

    If you are entitled to a deferred pension, when you leave the Scheme, your pension is worked out on the amount of membership built up and your pay during your membership. It is then held in the Scheme with Pension Increase added each year in line with the cost of living, until you take payment.  Payment can be made from age 55 but is reduced for early payment.

    You won't be able to keep paying in if you have left the Scheme unless you rejoin in another qualifying employment or if you opted out.

Publications & Forms

My Pension Online