Local Authority controlled schools that convert to academy status, and new free schools or academies, have the right to remain in the LGPS.
You must contact the Treasury and Investments Team as soon as there is a date for establishment, if you are a:
- local authority controlled school that converts to academy status, or
- new free school or academy, including new Medway free school or academy, or
- an existing academy Trust moving to another academy Trust.
There are steps to take when these scenarios happen. This ensures continued membership of the LGPS.
You should engage with the Fund at least 3 months before any changes happen.
Fund actuary report
The Kent Pension Fund (the Fund) actuary produces a report to calculate and confirm the employer contribution rate. You will be required to pay this rate, expressed as a percentage of payroll.
There is a fee for this report which is recoverable from you. Details of associated costs can be obtained by emailing KentPensionfundGovernance@kent.gov.uk
To request an actuary report, you will need to complete a data capture spreadsheet about the employees involved.
Acton to take
You must ensure the member records correctly reflect who they work for. You must complete a data capture spreadsheet and submit it to the Fund:
- Complete a data capture spreadsheet for academies (XLSX, 52.5 KB) Full details about how to complete the data capture spreadsheet are within the drop down boxes on the data capture spreadsheet.
- Save the completed data spreadsheet to your device. Submit it to the Fund. Use the uploading documents to the Treasury and Investments team online form (opens in a new window) to submit the data capture spreadsheet to the Fund.
Additional information
Employees that are not in the LGPS at the date of conversion must be brought into the LGPS by the new employer on the day of the transfer. They can opt out if they wish. They must not be pressured into doing so. Find out about opting out of the LGPS
Employees with a contract of employment of less than 3 months who are not automatically brought into the LGPS are the exception. If they wish to join the LGPS, they must opt in. Find out about joining and automatic enrolment Employees age 75 or older cannot join the LGPS.
There are many employers in the Fund, including academies. Find out about academy pools and contribution rates
When an employer joins the Fund, they accept ongoing financial liabilities. Find out about financial responsibilities as an employer
Some employers must show their pension liabilities on their annual accounts. Find out about annual accounting reports FRS102/IAS19
This refers to non-teaching staff. Teaching staff are eligible to be members of the Teacher’s Pension Scheme, which is separate to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). For teachers’ pension purposes, a school becoming an academy will need to:
- contact Teachers Pensions in Darlington, their telephone number is 0345 300 3756
- request access to the employer portal. Email your access request to Teachers Pensions