Active members

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Opting out of the pension scheme

If you are thinking of opting out, you might want to first consider an alternative option, which is to elect to move to the 50/50 section of the scheme. The 50/50 section allows you to pay half your normal contributions in return for half your normal pension build up, whilst retaining full life and ill health cover. More information about the 50/50 section of the scheme can be found on the national members' website.

How to opt out 

If having considered the 50/50 option, you still wish to opt out, you can leave the LGPS at any time on or after your first day of eligible employment by completing an opt-out form (download the form in PDF or Word format).

You might, however, want to take independent financial advice before making the final decision to opt out.

If you opt out, you should be aware that your employer is required by law to re-enrol you back into the LGPS in certain circumstances.

If you opt-out, you can, provided you are still eligible to join the scheme, opt back into the scheme at any time before age 75.

Sending the form by your MSS account

If you have registered to use the Member Self-Service (MSS) website, you can complete the form electronically and upload in from your MSS dashboard by selecting “Document upload” from the documents tile.

Sending the form by email

If you have registered to use the Member Self-Service (MSS) website, you can send your completed form to the dedicated pension inbox at pensions@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

Please note that emailed forms must be sent directly by the member and not a representative of the member.

If you do not have access to a work email, you can send the form electronically from your personal email address but need to include a clear copy of your ID (passport, driving license, or birth certificate).

The subject line in the email should be: “The name of your pension fund, (example: Camden, Merton, Wandsworth) Opt Out form”.

For example: Wandsworth Opt out or Camden Opt out.

The form should be completed in full and attached to the email, you must insert the required phrase into the body of the email containing the form:

  • I confirm that I personally submitted this election to opt out of a workplace pension scheme

If the phrase is not included in the body of the email or the form is not completed in full, it will need to be resubmitted as it will not be actioned. 

Sending the form by post

If you do not have access to an email address, you can print the form to paper, complete it in full ensuring the form is signed by hand and send it via post to:

Pensions Shared Service
PO Box 72351
London
SW18 9LQ