Cookies on our website

We use strictly necessary cookies to make our website work.

We'd also like to use analytics cookies to understand how you use our website. These cookies will only be set if you accept them.

Find out more about the cookies we use.

Report a problem with cookies

Skip to content
Kent Pension Fund
  • Local Government
  • MyPension Online
  • Employers
  • About us
  1. Home
  2. Local Government
  3. Current member (paying in)
  4. Increasing benefits
  5. In-house Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)

AVCs on retirement

If you retire on the grounds of redundancy, ill health, early retirement or at normal pension age there are different ways you may be able to use your in house Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) fund:

  • Buy an annuity
  • Buy a Top-up Local Government Pension scheme (LGPS) pension
  • Take your Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) as cash
  • Buy extra membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • Transfer your AVC fund to another pension arrangement

Guidance and regulations

Deciding how to use your AVC plan may be one of the most important financial decisions you are likely to make. From 1 June 2022 new regulations are in force. They encourage you to consider pensions guidance or independent financial advice to help you when you wish to take your AVC’s.

If we receive your application to take AVC’s on or after 1 June 2022, you must notify us that you have received pensions guidance or that you have chosen not to. We will not be able to proceed with the payment of your AVC’s without this confirmation from you.

Pension Wise is a free, impartial service provided by the government website MoneyHelper. They provide guidance to help you understand your AVC options. Find out more about Pension Wise on the MoneyHelper website

As your pension provider, we can arrange an appointment on your behalf. If you prefer, you can make your own arrangements by calling 0800 100 166 or visit the MoneyHelper website and book a Pension Wise appointment

If you decide to choose:

  • us to make a guidance appointment on your behalf, or
  • not to receive guidance

please let us know by completing the online enquiry form

Payment of AVCs at retirement

If you choose an AVC option that needs us to request payment of your AVC fund, your main scheme benefits will be delayed. This happens because:

  1. If you are still contributing to your AVC fund until retirement, the AVC provider must wait for your final monthly contribution from your employer. They can then withdraw your funds and send them to us.
  2. We must pay your AVC funds and main scheme benefits at the same time. If there is a delay in your AVC provider withdrawing and sending the payment to us, your main scheme benefits will be delayed.

We follow up with our AVC providers however any delays in these steps are beyond our control.

How in-house AVCs work

Information about how In-house AVCs work including how you pay for them

AVCs if you leave before retirement

Information about what happens to your AVCs if you leave the Scheme before retirement.

Tell us what you think of this page
  • Online enquiry and document upload form
  • Change of home address and email form
  • Firefighters pension scheme
  • Teachers pension scheme
  • Public Health pension scheme
  • Police Officer pension schemes
  • Accessibility statement
  • Contact us
  • Cookies
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and conditions
Kent County Council

© 2025 Kent County Council