Published
21st May 2026
21st May 2026
Improvements to your LGPS benefits from April 2026
Important changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) have been introduced to make benefits fairer and provide stronger protection for members.
What’s changing?
From 1 April 2026, several improvements were introduced, including:
Better protection during time away from work
Pension will continue to build up during certain unpaid family-related leave (such as additional maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave). See our ‘Child Related Leave’ factsheet for further information.
Short unpaid authorised absences (under 15 days) will now count towards your pension, and more flexible options are available to buy back pension for longer unpaid leave. See our ‘What happens if I am away from work?’ FAQ for further information.
Changes to death grants
Death grants can now be paid even if you die after age 75.
Pension funds will have more flexibility over who receives a death grant, which may reduce tax in some cases.
Fairer survivor benefits
Survivor pensions will be calculated more consistently, regardless of gender. In some cases, this will result in higher survivor pensions.
Please visit the dedicated national LGPS member website, www.lgpsmember.org, where you can find out everything you need to know about the LGPS.
