Joiners
You must provide basic legal information about your pension arrangements to your eligible employees.
This information is included in the booklet A Guide for Members - Defined Benefit. Members will receive a copy when they join the Scheme. If an employee requires a copy prior to joining you can download it from the SHPS website www.shps.org.uk > Document Library > Employee Literature. Alternatively, please let us know and we will issue the Guide on your behalf. A completed Employee Application Form must be sent to The Pensions Trust, if possible prior to the date of joining the Scheme. Please check that all appropriate sections have been completed and that the form has been signed both by the employee and on behalf of the employer. To view the Employee Application Form, click here.
Part-time employees may join the Scheme. Please ensure that the full-time equivalent to the part-time hours are noted on the application form for a part time employee.
The Lump Sum Death Benefit and Survivor's Pension Nomination Form, if applicable, should be completed so as to avoid unnecessary delays in the payment of benefits in the event of death-in-service. To view the Lump Sum Death Benefit and Survivor's Pension Nomination Form, click here.
If an employee is joining a defined benefit structure, the scheme automatically provides for a survivor’s pension and children's pension where applicable. Members may defer nominating who they wish to receive the survivor’s pension when they first join, or alternatively make changes to their nominee at a later date, subject to the scheme rules. |
Once the application form has been processed, a Membership Certificate will be prepared by The Pensions Trust and sent direct to the member. You will be notified of the member number and contribution rate. Please quote this number in any future correspondence. Contributions in respect of the member should not be deducted and sent to The Pensions Trust until you have received confirmation of his/her scheme membership.
It is a requirement to give basic legal information about your pension arrangements. Members will receive a copy of the member booklet containing the information when they have joined the Scheme. To view the A Guide for Members booklet - Defined Benefit, click here.
Prompt submission of an Employee Application Form
An employee will not be classed as a member of the Scheme until a completed application form, signed by both the employer and the employee, has been received by The Pensions Trust. Application forms for existing employees should be sent to The Pensions Trust before the proposed date of joining the Scheme where possible.
It is extremely important that these application procedures are followed. If this is not the case and an employee dies shortly after the expected date of joining, there could be complications with the payment of benefits.
Please do not deduct and remit contributions in respect of the member until you have received confirmation of their scheme membership. If contributions or data are submitted before a membership record has been created, this will cause a validation error to be generated during the monthly contribution process. This may lead to delays in processing the monthly information and settling other members' benefits.
Can an employee transfer pension benefits into SHPS?
Transfers of pension benefits from other schemes are allowed only into the defined contribution benefit structure of the Scheme (when it becomes available from 1 October 2010) and are subject to various criteria set by the Trustee. Employers should advise staff that the process can take a considerable amount of time, and should allow three months before contacting The Pensions Trust on the progress of the potential transfer. The Scheme will no longer accept transfers into any defined benefit structures.
For further information, please refer to our Employer Administration Guide - Defined Benefit, click here.
Do I need to complete an application form if the employee is claiming continuous service within the Scheme ?
Employees moving between employers in the social housing sector may be entitled to continuous membership of the Scheme if both employers participate in SHPS.
For further information, please refer to our Employer Administration Guide - Defined Benefit, click here.
Can I backdate membership?
In general it is not possible for either employers or members to backdate their membership of the Scheme. Therefore the Employee Application Form should be completed and sent to The Pensions Trust as soon as possible to ensure that the correct date of entry into the Scheme is recorded.
What is the cost to an employee?
The contribution rate for a member in the Social Housing Pension Scheme is determined by the employer.
Many employees do not join the Scheme because they think that it might be too expensive. The main reason for this is that they do not take account of the savings due to tax relief and National Insurance. To assist you in providing help for your members we have developed a cost calculator.
Click here for the Pension Calculators.
For further information, please refer to our Employer Administration Guide - Defined Benefit, click here.
Are there any special rules for late entrants?
Should an employee apply to join the scheme more than one year from first becoming eligible to do so, they must have completed three months' continuous service without absence due to illness or injury, immediately prior to the date from which they wish to join. Evidence of good health may be required and some benefits may be restricted if this is not available.
Can I set up a new member over the telephone?
The Pension Trust operates a system for telephone enrolments. For full details click here.
Contact the Pensions Operations Team on 0113 394 2894. If you have an Employee Application Form to hand, this will guide you through the information that is required.
For further information, please refer to our Employer Administration Guide - Defined Benefit, click here.