Useful links
Listed below are a selection of links to relevant websites that you may find useful.
Government websites on pensions
Government information and public services online.
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions.
Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs ensure the correct tax is paid at the right time.
MoneyHelper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help. It brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Free online resources such as MoneyHelper or the Local Government Pension Scheme website are great for building up your pensions knowledge and guiding you through the important issues you face at retirement. Rather than providing general guidance an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) will review your individual circumstances, finances and retirement goals and make a recommendation specific to your personal situation. Not everyone will want to pay for an IFA, but if you do, it’s essential to use one that is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If you need advice about transferring your pension savings, you should talk to an IFA qualified in this area.
You can find a local FCA-regulated IFA using the ‘Find a regulated financial adviser’ tool from MoneyHelper.
For information about state pensions please contact The Pensions Service. Find out the age at which you can claim your state pension.
If you were in another scheme in the past and you have lost touch with them, then this central body should be able to help you trace them.
The Pensions Regulator is a pensions watchdog which makes sure schemes are run properly, and protects members against fraud. Anyone who is worried about a scheme can 'blow the whistle' to The Pensions Regulator.
The Pensions Ombudsman was set up under the Pensions Act, and may investigate and determine any complaint or dispute of fact or law in relation to a pension scheme.
Local Government Pension Scheme information
The Local Government Pension Scheme.
The website covers employees in Scotland and provides up-to-date information on the new LGPS scheme applying from 1 April 2015.
Scottish Public Pensions Agency
The Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland is a funded, defined benefit, statutory occupational pension scheme. Although the scheme is administered by 11 local government administering authorities, SPPA is responsible for maintaining and updating the scheme’s regulations in line with policies determined by the Scottish and UK Governments. SPPA also deals with Independent Dispute Resolution Procedures and provides policy guidance to ministers and to the scheme’s advisory board.
Financial services websites
Find an independent financial adviser. Make sure they understand the LGPS.
UK financial services information. Financial products and money saving tips.
The UK's leading self-help money site.
Visit for advice on reducing your costs.
Other useful websites
Local Government Pensions Committee
Supports local authorities in their human resources role. They do this by providing expert advice and information on people management and development in local government, and leading the formulation of policy on some employer issues.
Age support all people over 50 in Scotland, ensuring that they get the most from life. They provide essential services such as day care and information. They also campaign on issues like age discrimination and pensions, and work to influence public opinion and government policy about older people.
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers. Details of local Citizens Advice bureaus can be found by visiting the Citizens Advice Scotland website.
Visit for useful advice on identifying and avoiding pension scams.