Following the introduction of new regulations, local councillors in England now have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Scheme membership has now been extended to councillors, mayors, deputy mayors and London Assembly members in England for the first time.

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) used actuarial analysis to support a consultation about the change. Working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) pensions team, GAD modelling the  likely additional annual cost in extending scheme access.

The change now aligns England with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where elected members have continued to have access to the LGPS.

Will King, Co-Head of Pensions at MHCLG said: “This change in eligibility reflects the government’s position that elected leaders in England are dedicated public servants. Analysis from GAD helped underpin the change, with clear evidence on the costs.”

GAD actuary Garth Foster, who led on the work added: “GAD’s actuarial expertise can help government departments, trustees, employers, and other stakeholders working through policy options.

“We help policy teams determine evidence-based decisions by giving them a deeper understanding of cost and risk implications.”