GEMS Learning Trust

LGPS DiscretionPolicy

Thispolicywasadoptedon / March2017
Thepolicyistobereviewedon / March 2023

1. Introduction

1.1.UndertherulesoftheLocalGovernmentPensionScheme(“LGPS”)theemployer hastherighttoauthorisediscretiononanumber ofmattersregardingtheadministration of thepensionscheme.

1.2.Foranumber of discretionsthere isa statutory requirementto publicisethe approachtheemployerwilltake.

1.3.Theapproachtoexercisingdiscretioninthispolicyistoallowtheemployertomake areasonabledecisioninindividualcasesbutalsotobeclearastothefactorsitwilltake intoaccountinmakingthat decision.

1.4.Informulatingandreviewingitspolicystatementstheemployerisrequiredto:

Haveregardto the extentto whichthe exerciseof theirdiscretionary powers,unlessproperlylimited,couldleadtoa seriouslossofconfidencein thepublicservice,and,

Besatisfiedthatthepolicyisworkable,affordableandreasonablehaving regardtotheforeseeablecosts.

1.5. Anycomplaintsrelatingtodecisionsinthesematterswouldneedinitiallytoberaised underthepensionscheme’sInternalDisputesResolutionProcedure,detailsofwhichare availablefromthepensionschemeadministrator.

1.6.Thispolicyconfersnocontractualrights.

1.7.TheGEMS LearningTrustretainstheright tochangethispolicyatany time.

1.8.Onlythepolicywhichiscurrentatthetimearelevanteventoccurstothescheme memberwillbetheoneappliedtothat member.

2. AdoptionArrangementsandDate

Thisprocedurewasadopted bythe Boardof Directorsof The GEMS LearningTrustonxx March 2017.

ThisPolicywillbereviewedbythe BoardofDirectorsevery6yearsorearlierifthereisa need.

3. Powerofemployingauthority to awardadditionalpension

It isnot TheGEMS LearningTrust’sgeneralpolicytograntadditional pensiontoscheme membersunderthisregulation.Anyexceptionalcasesthatwere of overallbenefittotheTrustwouldrequiretheagreementoftheHRFinanceDirectors of theTrust.

4. Powerofemployingauthority to awardadditionalpension-Sharedcost

It isnot TheGEMS LearningTrust’sgeneralpolicy tograntadditional pensiontoscheme membersunderthisregulation.Anyexceptionalcasesthatwere of overallbenefittothe trust wouldrequiretheagreementofthe HR &FinanceDirectors of theTrust.

5. Flexible retirement(reducinghours orgradeafterreaching 55)

ItisnotthepolicyofTheGEMS LearningTrusttoagreetotheflexible retirementofaschemememberunlessconsenthasbeengivenbytheHRFinance Directors.Ifconsenthasbeengivenunderthisregulation,it isnotTheGEMS LearningTrust’sgeneralpolicytowaive,inwholeorpart, anyactuarialreductiontothe schememember’sbenefits.AnyexceptionalcaseswouldneedtheconsentoftheHRFinanceDirectors.

6. EarlyPaymentof Pensionformemberwhohaveoptedoutorleftbefore1April

2014

Whereaschemememberhaspreviouslybeenawardedapreservedbenefit,itisnotthe policyofTheGEMS LearningTrusttogiveconsentunderthisregulationto theearlypaymentofbenefits.

7. Waivingofactuarialreductions

ItisnotTheGEMS LearningTrust’sgeneralpolicytowaivetheactuarial reductions.Howeveritmayconsiderwavingthe actuarialreductionsinexceptional circumstances,thiswouldneedtheconsentoftheHRFinanceDirectors.

8. Powertoturnonthe85yearrule topre1 April2014accruedbenefits

ItisnotTheGEMS LearningTrust’sgeneralpolicytoturnthisruleonfor members.Anyexceptionalcasesthatwereofoverallbenefittothetrustwouldrequire theagreementoftheHRFinanceDirectorsof theTrust.

OptionalDiscretionwithintheLocalGovernmentPensionScheme:

9. Membershipaggregationregulation

TheGEMS LearningTrustwillnotextendthedefault12monthperiodfor memberstodecideiftheywishtocombinetheirpreviousandnewLGPSmembership.

10.TransferofPensionRightsfornew members

TheGEMS LearningTrustwillnotextendthedefault12monthperiodfor newmemberstodecideiftheywishtotransferpreviouspensionrightsintotheLGPS.