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Pension Pulse - newsletter for current members
We published the Summer 2025 newsletter for current members on 1 July 2025. This is for members who are currently paying into the Kent Pension Fund. Read the Pension Pulse Summer 2025 newsletter (opens in a new window) (PDF, 525.4 KB)
Pension Connection - newsletter for deferred members
We published the Summer 2025 newsletter for deferred members on 30 June 2025. This is for members who have stopped paying in and their pension is held in the Fund until it is payable. Read the Pension Connection newsletter Summer 2025 newsletter (opens in new window) (PDF, 736.3 KB)
Consultation - LGPS in England and Wales: Access and fairness
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a consultation on 15 May 2025. It is about changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in England and Wales. It is called the Access and fairness consultation.
The proposed changes are intended to improve fairness in and access to the LGPS. The proposals include:
- addressing survivor pensions and deaths grants. For example, removing the age 75 limit for death grant eligibility.
- addressing the gender pension gap. For example, extending the time limit for electing to buy back lost pension from 30 days to 12 months.
- collecting data on how many members opt out of the scheme and why.
The consultation closes on 7 August 2025.
Read the government’s LGPS in England and Wales: Access and fairness consultation It includes information about how to respond.
Pension Pulse - newsletter for current members
We published the Spring 2025 newsletter for current members on 10 April 2025. This is for members who are currently paying into the Kent Pension Fund. Read the Spring 2025 Pension Pulse newsletter (PDF, 493.7 KB)
Neonatal care leave and pay
Neonatal care leave is a new statutory entitlement from 6 April 2025. Find out about neonatal care leave and pay and how it impacts your pension
Open Lines Spring 2025 - newsletter for members in receipt of a pension
We published the Open Lines newsletter on 3 April 2025. Read the Open Lines newsletter Spring 2025
Report and accounts 2024
We published the final report and accounts 2023-24 in March 2025. Read the Kent Pension Fund report and accounts ending 31 March 2024 (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Pension overpayment and write off policy
We updated our policy in March 2025. It details how we manage pension overpayments. Read the overpayment and write off policy
Contribution pay bands 2025/26
In February 2025 we updated our website with the 2025/26 contribution pay bands. The contribution pay bands change from 1 April 2025. Find out the contribution pay bands 2025/26
Free MoneyHelper budget planner
MoneyHelper is a government-backed service that helps make your money and pension choices clearer. You can find more information about their services and how to find free, impartial guidance on the MoneyHelper website
MoneyHelper’s free budget planner helps you track how much money is coming in and how you are spending it. The budget planner will give you:
- a place to record all your spending
- a breakdown of how you spend your money
- personalised tips to make the most of your money.
Report and accounts 2024
We published the draft report and accounts 2023-24 in December 2024. Read the draft Kent Pension Fund report and accounts 2023-24 (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Government’s Pensions Review – Mansion House speech
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, announced the interim findings of the Governments Pensions review in her speech at the Mansion House in the City of London on Thursday evening (14th November). The speech included reference to reform of the LGPS.
The Government has subsequently launched a consultation on a number of areas of the LGPS; Investment pooling, Local investment and Governance.
Whilst all of this is significant to those involved in running LGPS funds, there will be no impact on Scheme members benefits (active, pensioners and deferred members). The proposed reforms will also have no impact on the Fund’s employers. This assumes the reform is implemented as proposed.
Read the full consultation on GOV.UK
Carer's leave
New laws came into effect from April 2024. If criteria is met, everyone is entitled to one week unpaid carer's leave. Find out how carer's leave interacts with the LGPS
Pensions increase 2025
Current, deferred, and pension in payment accounts are adjusted each April in line with the cost of living. The increase is based on the September to September change in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). The CPI increase for the year up to September 2024 was 1.7%. This means that we expect LGPS pension accounts to increase by 1.7% in April 2025. This is not confirmed by law until March 2025.
LGPS statistical release
In October each year the government provide a statistical release detailing the performance of the LGPS at a national level. Read the Local Government Pension Scheme Funds England and Wales: 2023 to 2024 statistical release
Open Lines Autumn 2024 - newsletter for members in receipt of a pension
We published the Open Lines newsletter on 16 October 2024. It is online only. Read the Open Lines newsletter Autumn 2024
Annual Benefit Statements 2024 - for current members paying in
Statements are available on MyPension Online from 30 August 2024. Create an account or log in to MyPension Online
Find out about annual benefit statements
MyPension Online
Member self service (MSS) has been upgraded to MyPension Online. If you are not already registered on MSS, create an account. If you are already registered on MSS, update your login details. Find out about MyPension Online
Responsible Investment Policy
The policy sets out Kent Pension Fund's approach to responsible investment. We updated our policy in June 2024. Read the Responsible Investment Policy (PDF, 624.1 KB)
Pensions Dashboard
Most people will change jobs several times during their working life, meaning that they may have more than one pension pot. Pensions dashboards is a government initiative which will enable you to see simple information about your Scheme pension as well as any other pension savings that you have, including your State Pension, online, securely and in one place. This facility should also help you to find any lost pension pots.
When you use a pensions dashboard, you will be asked to input certain personal data. We will then use that data to search our records and determine if you have a pension with us. This process is called ‘matching’. To match you with your pension benefits it is essential that the personal data we hold for you, such as first name (given name), surname, date of birth and current address is correct. If you think that we hold incorrect information about you, please contact us so that we can update our systems and avoid any delays when the dashboard becomes available.
The project had a reset last year and a new connection deadline for pension schemes and providers of 31 October 2026 has been announced.
Lifetime Allowance (LTA) abolition
The government abolished the LTA from 6 April 2024. Find out about lump sum tax free allowances
Net zero commitment
In December 2023, the Kent Pension Fund Committee agreed an ambitious policy package to address climate risk, including a headline net zero target of 2050. Find out about Kent Pension Fund's net zero commitment
McCloud letter to members
In December 2023, we wrote to all members about the McCloud remedy. You do not need to take any action. The letter included a factsheet. Read the McCloud remedy for the LGPS factsheet (PDF, 900.2 KB)
Investment Strategy Statement
We have updated the Kent Pension Fund's statement. It sets out the Fund's investment strategy. Read the investment strategy statement (PDF, 466.2 KB)
The McCloud Remedy in the LGPS
The Local Government Association (LGA) have produced a suite of information for members. It includes key dates, FAQs, and an online tool to find out if you are affected. Find out about the McCloud remedy in the LGPS for members
Investment Award
We are delighted to announce that the Kent Pension Fund has received 2 awards for the long-term performance of our Property portfolio. The awards were the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) performance award for the:
- Highest 10-year risk adjusted relative return for the UK, and
- European long-term risk-adjusted relative return award.
The awards acknowledge Kent Pension Fund for achieving the highest total return relative to the MSCI benchmark annualised over 10 years. The fund had an annualised 10-year risk adjusted relative return of 9.33%. This award is recognition of the Fund’s long-term strategy for its property investment portfolio and reflects on the relationship with the Fund’s Investment Manager DTZ Investors.
Communication policy
We have updated the Kent Pension Fund communication policy. It details how we communicate to scheme members and employing authorities. Read the communication policy (PDF, 491.7 KB)
Data quality policy
We have published a data quality policy. It details the plan to ensure records are maintained correctly, accurate data is supplied, and the Fund complies with The Pension Regulator's code of practice. Read the data quality policy (PDF, 298.4 KB)
Administration strategy
We have published the Kent Pension Fund administration strategy. It details the employer and Fund responsibilities to administer the scheme. It includes the Fund’s commitments to new, existing, deferred and pensioner members. Read the administration strategy (PDF, 376.2 KB)
Funding strategy statement
We have updated the Kent Pension Fund funding strategy statement. It details how we manage the Fund to ensure that there will be enough assets to meet pension liabilities and maintain stable employer rates. The contribution review policy and deferred debt and debt spreading agreement policies for employers are also published. Read the Kent Pension Fund policies
The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022
This Order extends eligibility for:
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA), and
- the higher rate of Bereavement Support Payment (BSP).
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes these payments.
Eligibility now includes surviving cohabiting partners with dependent children. It has retrospective effect back to the 30 August 2018. Before the changes, only those who were married or in a civil partnership with their deceased partner were eligible for WPA or BSP.
Currently WPA is up to £126.35 per week and BSP is a one off amount of up to £3,500 and 18 monthly payments of up to £350. Eligible beneficiaries can claim back to 30 August 2018.
If you know any surviving cohabiting partners with dependent children that this may impact, please tell them to contact DWP.
FAQs about the cost of living crisis
The Local Government Association (LGA) has produced some FAQs about the cost of living crisis. It includes information about reducing or stopping contributions and help for pensioners on low incomes. Read the FAQs about the cost of living crisis
Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA)
The Finance Act 2022 became law in February 2022. It includes the provision that the Normal Minimum Pension Age (NMPA) will increase from age 55 to 57 from 6 April 2028.
McCloud ruling
The McCloud ruling is about discrimination in public sector pension schemes.
The government confirms that you do not have to make a claim for your pension benefits to be brought in line with this ruling. Many members will not see an increase in their pension benefits and any increase is likely to be small. We will keep you updated.
Read about the McCloud court case - FAQs for LGPS members on the national LGPS website
Exit cap payment
February 2021
The exit payment restrictions were revoked on 12 February 2021. It was concluded that the restrictions had unintended consequences. The government have stated:
- it is still vital that exit payments deliver value for the taxpayer,
- employers should always consider that exit payments are fair and proportionate, and
- HM Treasury will bring forward proposals at pace to tackle unjustified exit payments.
If you think this could affect you, please contact your employer.
November 2020
On 4 November 2020 the government introduced a £95,000 cap on the total value of an exit payment to employees in the public sector. The cap includes costs to the employer for releasing a pension early. It could impact your pension. If you think this could affect you, please contact your employer.