Rejoining the LGPS

Linking your previous pension to the new one

If you previously left the LGPS and then rejoin, either with Oxfordshire or another fund, your pension periods will be automatically linked if:

  • you left and then rejoined the LGPS after 31 March 2014
  • the gap between membership of any public services pension scheme is less than five years

You must declare any membership you have with a public sector pension scheme when you rejoin the scheme - even if you do not want to transfer. We will send you a form in the first three months after you rejoin the scheme.

Keeping the periods separate

You can decide to keep your LGPS membership periods separate. 

If you don't want to link membership periods, you must tell Pension Services within 12 months of starting your new job. If you don't tell us, the periods will be linked, and you won't be able to reverse it. The same is true when changing jobs with the same employer.

Transferring out of the LGPS

When you start a new pension scheme, we do not automatically transfer your LGPS pension into it. To start the transfer process, contact the administrators of your new scheme; they will then contact us. 

We recommend you collect as much information as possible about the new scheme. 

Before you transfer out, you should know what a transfer from the LGPS would mean. Key benefits of the LGPS that you would be giving up include:

  • guaranteed annual pension that is payable for life
  • increases in line with inflation each year
  • a fund not linked to stocks and shares
  • death benefits, including a partner's pension, a child's pension and a lump sum death grant

An independent financial advisor may help you review all options.

Watch this LGPS video about transferring your pension.

Read a transcript.

Scams

You should carefully consider a transfer away from the LGPS. Beware of investments that appear too good to be true. Scammers are sophisticated and opportunistic, often targeting vulnerable people. 

To protect yourself, you should:

  • reject offers that come out of the blue
  • beware of adverts on social media channels and paid for or sponsored adverts online
  • use the Financial Services Register to check who you are dealing with
  • do not click links or open emails from senders you don't know
  • avoid being rushed or pressured into making a decision
  • do not give out personal details, bank account details, your address or information about your existing insurance policies, pensions or investments

Read the information on the Pensions Regulator's website to help you recognise scams.