The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) is publishing a series of guides to support employers and local authority funds participating in the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS).

The first guide is designed to help employers understand what they need to know before joining the LGPS.

Employers such as universities, charities, and housing associations have joined the LGPS in increasing numbers in recent years – there are 10,000 such organisations participating now.

According to the PLSA, the magnitude of the legal and financial obligations faced by those employers is often underestimated and as a result some entrants are beginning to question whether they can afford to stay in the scheme.

Joanne Segars, PLSA chief executive, said: "The Local Government Pension Scheme is the largest public sector pension scheme in the UK and provides some fantastic benefits for its members, but for employers participating in it, there are significant legal, financial and administrative obligations which can cause a real headache - many are beginning to question whether they can even afford to stay in the scheme."

Segars says the PLSA is launching the guides to help employers gain a better understanding of their duties as part of the LGPS and what they can do to help manage the issues.

"It's vital we support these employers to offer their employees the best possible access to saving for retirement," she says.

The guides were launched at the PLSA Local Authority Conference in Gloucestershire.

PDFs of both guides - A guide for employers participating in the LGPS: An introduction to the LGPS for scheduled bodies, and A guide for employers participating in the LGPS navigating entry into the LGPS: for local government contractors, are now available.

First published 19.05.2016

Lindsay.sharman@wilmingtonplc.com