Category
Author: James Heppe-Smith
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The public sector pension bill hit £56bn: what the number really means
Public sector pensions cost a record £56 billion in 2025/26. Here is what that gross figure includes, why unfunded does not mean a deficit, and what the OBR actually projects.
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Teachers’ Pension contributions 2026/27: the six-tier table explained
The 2026/27 Teachers’ Pension contribution tiers, from 7.4% to 12.0%, what changed this April, and a calculator for what you and your employer each pay.
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Capita missed its deadline: what happens now to Civil Service pensions
Capita missed the 30 June 2026 deadline to restore Civil Service Pension Scheme administration, and the PCS union is calling for its contract to be stripped. Here is what happened, the 8 July parliamentary hearing,…
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Civil Service pension and McCloud: the remedy explained for alpha and legacy members
How the McCloud remedy applies to the Civil Service Pension Scheme: the 2015 to 2022 remedy period, the rollback to your legacy scheme, the Deferred Choice Underpin and Immediate Choice, your Remediable Service Statement, and…
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LGPS Scotland explained: the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) in plain English
The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) in plain English: a genuinely separate scheme from the England and Wales LGPS, with its own regulations, 11 funds and 2026/27 contribution bands, but essentially the same benefits.
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AFPS 15 explained: the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 in plain English
The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 in plain English: the non-contributory 1/47 career average pension every serving member now builds, the age-60 pension, the Early Departure Payment, ill-health and death benefits, and where McCloud leaves…
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Public sector pension employer contributions are set to fall in 2027: what it means for members
What’s changed: Updated 28 October 2026: the Budget confirms the fall and cuts departmental budgets by about £16 billion a year to match. Earlier, 7 August: no 2027 NHS rate has been published. Full update…
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Legacy scheme vs 2015 scheme: how public sector pensions compare
The McCloud remedy gives eligible public sector members a choice between their legacy final-salary scheme and the 2015 career-average scheme for 2015 to 2022. How the two designs differ on normal pension age, accrual and…
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What changes for LGPS members on 30 June 2026?
Two new sets of LGPS regulations come into force on 30 June 2026, overhauling how local government pension funds invest and how they are governed. The reassuring headline for members: this changes how the scheme…
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Teachers’ Pension phased retirement: how the rules work in 2026/27
Phased retirement lets teachers draw part of their pension while still working on reduced hours or responsibilities. The age limits, the 20% salary-cut rule, the 75% cap, how many times you can do it, and…