Since 1 January 2005, NILGOSC has issued all Employing Authorities with a Service Level Agreement. In preparing the Service Level Agreement statement, the following pieces of legislation were taken into consideration:

 

1)      The Local Government Pension Scheme legislation

 

2)      The legislative requirements governed by the Pensions Regulator (PR), which exists to monitor that legislative requirements are adhered to. The Pensions Regulator also has the authority to levy fines for non-compliance under The Pensions (N.I. Order) 1995.

 

3)      The Data Protection Act 1998.

 

4)      The Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (N.I.) 1997.

 

5)      The Occupational Pensions Schemes (Contracting-Out) Regulations (N.I.) 1996.

 

Below is a summary of employer requirements and the reasons for these requirements.

 

TASK

STANDARD (Working Days)

REASON FOR THE DEADLINE

Employee joining Scheme (LGS 1)

Within 10 days of starting date

NILGOSC must provide new members with scheme information and their membership certificate within 2 months of joining the LGPS.

Change in member’s circumstances          

(LGS 14, 16, 33, 34)

Within 2 months of event.

The LGPS regulations state that the employers must inform NILGOSC as soon as is reasonably possible of any changes in the members circumstances.

Member leaving the scheme (LGS 15)

(Not entitled to immediate benefits)

Within 10 days of leaving date or date of final payment (if later).

NILGOSC must inform the member of their accrued benefits and options within 3 months of the date of leaving.

Member leaving the scheme (LGS 15)

(With entitlement to immediate benefits)

Within the period of 5 days before and 5 days after retirement date or date of final payment (if later).

NILGOSC must pay benefits and provide the member with details of their rights and options no later than one month from the date the benefit is due.

Death in membership (LGS 15)

Within 10 days of date of death or date of final payment to representatives.

NILGOSC must pay any benefits due to the personal representatives of the deceased member within two months of the date of notification of death.