The Board Secretariat has recently written to MHCLG officials to ask for a review of the actuarial factors and regulations surrounding SCAPC’s. This was one of the first recommendations of the Gender Pensions Gap working group and approved by the Board when it met in July 2024. It is thought that the current regulations may impact those with caring responsibilities (predominantly female members) who may lose pension when they have to take occasional days or weeks as authorised unpaid leave. The letter asks that the rules around buying back pension during unpaid authorised leave should be made easier to understand and more flexible to implement.

31st July 2024 SAB Cost Management Process now complete 

The Government Actuary's Department has now completed the scheme cost assessment required under Regulation 116 of the LGPS Regulations 2013. The final report was completed using methodology and assumptions determined by the Board, following discussion at the Cost Management, Benefit Design and Administration (CMBDA) Committee.

Scheme costs were assessed as being 20.5 per cent of pensionable pay, 1 per cent above the 19.5 per cent target overall cost. This is within the range where the Board may make recommendations to amend benefits to bring scheme costs back towards the target cost but is not obliged to. Following discussion, the Board agreed not to recommend any changes in its letter informing the Secretary of State of the outcome.