• How to join

If you work for local government in Devon, Torbay or Plymouth in a non-teaching capacity, you are entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). If you are employed by a body such as a town or parish council, or admitted body you may be able to join only if your employer nominates you for the scheme.

You can join the scheme any time up to your 75th birthday if you are still working for an employer who is part of the LGPS scheme. As long as you have a contract of 3 months or more you can join, whether you are full or part-time, permanent or temporary. Anyone employed for less than three months who works on a casual basis is NOT eligible to pay into the LGPS.

If you work for one of our larger employers, like a local authority, you will join automatically when you begin your job.

• Sorting out the paperwork

As a new member, or even if you are just moving between employers within the Scheme, it is important that you tell us about any previous pensions by filling a form provided by your employer. It's also the best time to ask about transferring other pension rights into the Scheme, as there are strict time limits.

If you are not in the scheme and are an eligible employee and wish to opt into the scheme, you can do so by completing the relevant opting-in form . This form can also be obtained from us or your employer's payroll department. It should be completed and returned to your employer's payroll section as soon as possible.

• Leaving the Scheme

You are free to opt-out at any time using the Opt-Out form.