2 July 2025

Auto enrolment into our pension scheme

Every three years, Glasgow Life must legally enrol eligible colleagues into the workplace pension scheme if they are not already members. They do this to help you save and plan for your retirement. You can opt out of the scheme after becoming enrolled.

If you meet the criteria and are not already a member of our pension scheme, you will soon receive a letter to your home address from us explaining this. The following key questions and answers are being shared with you so that you know what is happening with auto-enrolment and what you need to do if you choose to opt out of the scheme.

FAQ’s

Which colleagues are eligible?

Whether you work full-time or part-time, we will enrol you into our workplace pension scheme if you meet the following criteria:

  • You work in the UK.
  • You aren’t already in a suitable workplace pension scheme or haven’t opted out of one in the last 12 months.
  • You are at least 22 years old, but under State Pension age.
  • You will earn more than £10,000 a year for the 2025/26 tax year (or pro rata per pay period).
  • You have opted into the 50/50 section of the pension scheme.

How will this affect me?

If you are not currently part of our pension scheme, and you meet the criteria above, we will automatically enrol you into the Local Government Pension Scheme on 24 August 2025.

We will deduct contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme from your salary beginning on 16 September 2025.

This will impact the amount of take-home pay available to you.

Can I opt out of automatic enrolment?

You can’t opt out of automatic enrolment before it happens. We must follow the law and enrol you into the pension scheme, taking the first payment from your wages.

If you decide you don’t want to stay in the scheme, you can opt out. However, you can only do this after we've enrolled you and we've taken your first payment. You must complete and send back an opt-out form within the time limit to do this. Once you have submitted everything correctly, you should get a refund within one month of the Council receiving your form, or by your next pay day after that month.

How do I opt out of the scheme?

If you do not wish to be a scheme member, download an opt-out form from www.spfo.org.uk. Before opting out, you should read the ‘For Your Future’ guidance, which is also available on the website.

How do I return my opt-out form?

You can post the completed form to:

Customer and Business Services
40 John Street
Glasgow
G1 1JL

Alternatively, you can email the completed form to cbsescrecordmaintenance@ced.glasgow.gov.uk.

What are the deadlines for returning my opt-out form?

You can only sign and date the opt-out form from the first day of your pension scheme membership, which is 24 August 2025.

If we receive your completed form within three months of that date, we will remove you from the scheme. You will no longer be a member, and we will refund any contributions you have made. 

If I opt out just now, can I re-join the Local Government Pension Scheme at a later date?

Yes. You can re-join the Local Government Pension Scheme if you’ve opted out. You can re-join from the start of the next available pay period after you decide to come back in.

You must write to Customer and Business Services at 40 John Street, Glasgow, G1 1JL to do this. You must sign your letter.

If you prefer to email, you must include the sentence: “I confirm I personally submitted this notice to join the Local Government Pension Scheme” in your message and then send it to: cbsescrecordmaintenance@ced.glasgow.gov.uk.

Why do we auto-enrol you into the pension scheme?

We must automatically enrol you into the pension scheme every three years. This is because your situation might have changed, and a pension could now be right for you. You can opt out if you don’t want to stay in the scheme. You can also join any time if you’re not already in.

We use the Local Government Pension Scheme, run by the Strathclyde Pension Fund Office. Full details and the employee guide are available at www.spfo.org.uk.

What if I am in the 50/50 section?

On the automatic enrolment date, we must move colleagues who have opted into the 50/50 pension section back into the main section. You will then need to re-join the 50/50 scheme to continue within the 50/50 section of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

What is my pension contribution rate?

Your employee contribution rate is based on your actual pensionable pay. Our policy is to set contribution rates based on pensionable pay as of 1 April each year.

Where can I get more information?

For information on workplace pensions, visit How pension auto-enrolment works | MoneyHelper.

Impact on cost of living

Auto-enrolment may cause additional concerns about your finances. For information, advice and support, please visit our workforce wellbeing pages where you can access our staff health and wellbeing handbook, details of our Employee Assistance Provider, and key financial wellbeing. http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing