Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

LGPS (England and Wales): Government confirms phased reforms on survivor benefits, death grants, gender pension gap reporting, forfeiture, and McCloud remedy, with guidance and statutory instruments from April 2026

Published on: 27 February 2026

Published by a LexisNexis Pensions expert

Legal News

Article summary

What was the background to the consultation?

On 15 May 2025, the government issued a formal consultation paper setting out detailed proposed reforms to the LGPS in England and Wales, together with accompanying draft regulations to enact them. The exercise centred on changes the government plans to deliver to widen access, improve fairness and simplify administration within the LGPS across the scheme.

Survivor benefits and death grants
Actions to tackle the gender pension gap
Opt-out data collection
Forfeiture rules and provisions
Outstanding matters under the McCloud remedy
A suite of technical regulatory amendments

The consultation formally closed on 7 August 2025, and the results were published on 2 February 2026. There were 172 responses, including 49 administering authorities, 25 employers, 68 members, the LGPS Scheme Advisory Board, the LGA, the LGPC, the LGPS National Pension Officer Group, a government department, four trade unions, plus professional bodies, and software and administration providers.

What was the outcome of the consultation?

The government confirmed it will proceed with the proposals consulted upon, with some refinements following feedback from administering authorities, employers and other stakeholders. Respondents expressed broad support for almost all of the proposals. Support was particularly strong for...

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