What are Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)?
If you are a member of classic, classic plus, premium, nuvos, or alpha you can boost your retirement income by making additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) to the Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (CSAVCS).
Your AVCs are invested in a fund and the value of your CSAVCS pension will be based on how much money you invest in your fund and how well it performs.
Will my employer pay into my AVC fund?
No, your employer will not contribute to your AVC fund.
Will I pay National Insurance on my AVC contributions?
Yes, you will pay National Insurance (NI) contributions at the standard rate.
What are the tax implications of paying AVCs?
You will receive tax relief on your contributions, up to 100% of your taxable earnings. This is subject to the Annual Allowance.
The Annual Allowance is the maximum amount of pension savings you can make across all pensions in any tax year, which benefit from tax relief. If your pension savings in a year are more than the Annual Allowance, you might have to pay some tax on the amount over the Annual Allowance.
You can read more about the Annual Allowance by visiting the Tax on your private pension page on the GOV.UK website.
How big will my CSAVCS pension pot be?
The amount of your pension pot will depend on the following things.
The amount of money you invest in your AVC fund.
How your investment AVC fund performs.
When you decide to take your pension, or in other words, how long the money remains invested.
It is important that you review your fund regularly to make sure you are on track to get the size of fund you want. You will receive annual statements from your fund provider that show the value of your fund.
You may wish to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) about your pension savings. See the Financial Conduct Authority website for tips on finding an adviser.
Will the government guarantee my CSAVCS pension?
The government cannot guarantee your pension.
You may wish to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) about your pension savings. See the Financial Conduct Authority website for tips on finding an adviser.
Do I have to choose a fund to invest my AVCs in?
Unless you tell Legal & General otherwise, they will invest your AVCs in their default fund. However, it is possible for you to invest your contributions in one of Legal & General’s other available funds if you wish. You can find details of the full investment range on Legal & General’s website.
You may wish to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) about your pension savings. See the Financial Conduct Authority website for tips on how to find an adviser.
How do I choose a fund to invest in?
A successful investment is not simply one that delivers high returns - the money your investments earn – it should also give you the right balance of investment returns and security for your money.
We recommend speaking to Legal & General about the funds they provide, and if you need to, contact an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) before making your choice. See the Financial Conduct Authority website for tips on finding an adviser.
How can I find out how my fund is performing?
Your provider will send you a statement each year. This will show the value of your fund and the contributions you have paid, together with an idea of what this could mean in pension terms at pension age.
Please note: you should tell your provider whenever you change your address.
How do I change or switch my investment fund?
If you want to change your investment fund, please contact Legal & General directly.
How do I change or cancel my AVCs?
If you want to change or cancel the amount you contribute to your AVC fund, you will need to complete the Contribution Change Request Form and return it to your payroll department.
What happens if I leave the Civil Service Pension Scheme?
If you leave the Scheme, you will not be able to continue paying into the CSAVCS.
Your pension fund is yours, no matter what your job. You can leave it to earn investment returns or you may want to transfer your fund to another pension provider or to your new employer’s pension scheme. The choice is yours, but if you are considering transferring your fund to another provider or to a new employer’s pension scheme, please ensure you understand what you are giving up and what you are getting in return.
Your employer will notify your AVC provider that you have left employment and the provider will then contact you separately.
How do I access my AVC fund?
Under current legislation, you can generally access your AVC fund at any time from age 55 (or age 50 if you joined before April 2006).
You do not have to retire to take your pension. You can choose the timing to fit in with your personal circumstances. You can also decide whether you want to provide a pension for your dependants after your death.
If you are 50 or over, or are retiring on ill health grounds, you can get free and impartial guidance on your options by booking an appointment with Pension Wise. Appointments are available by telephone and face-to-face and take about 45 minutes. Further details are available on the Pension Wise website.
When can I access my AVC fund?
You will usually be able to access your fund at any time from age 55 (or age 50 if you joined the CSAVCS before April 2006). If you are age 50 or over, or retiring on ill health grounds, you can get free impartial guidance on your options by booking an appointment with Pension Wise.
Do I have to retire from my job before I can access my money?
No, you do not have to draw your AVC fund when you retire.
How much tax-free cash can I take from my AVC fund?
In addition to the tax-free cash available from your main scheme, you will be able to take up to 25% of your AVC fund as a tax-free lump sum. If your plan is with Legal & General, other options will also be available to you. Please contact Legal & General for more information.
Can I combine the tax-free allowances from my main Civil Service pension and my CSAVCS pension?
The CSAVCS is treated separately to your main Civil Service Pension Scheme benefits. The scheme rules state you cannot combine the tax-free allowances from each scheme.
What will happen if I retire on ill health grounds before I reach pension age?
If you have to retire early on ill health grounds, your CSAVCS benefits will become available at the same time as your main pension benefits. Contact your AVC fund provider directly for further information.
Pension Wise can provide you with free and impartial guidance on your AVC options.
What happens if I die before I draw my pension?
Your AVC fund provider may pay the value of your fund to your death benefit nominee. You can make a death benefit nomination at any time. If Legal & General is your fund provider, please contact them directly or complete their Nomination of beneficiary form to update your nominee.
Can I pay money into my plan if I’m on a career break?
Contributions to your AVC fund are made via your salary, so you will not be able to contribute if you are on unpaid leave or a career break.
What happens to my AVC fund if I get divorced?
If you are going through a divorce, dissolution or annulment, your AVC fund could be subject to an earmarking order or a pension sharing order. This means that the Court presiding over your divorce or dissolution settlement could award your spouse or civil partner some of your pension and/or lump sum.
Your solicitor will be able to provide you with further details of how divorce, dissolution or annulment could affect your AVC fund.
How do I start contributing to the CSAVCS?
To begin contributing to the CSAVCS, you will need to complete the Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) application form.
Send your completed form to your employer, who will arrange for the plan to be set up with the AVC fund provider.
Is there anyone I can talk to about my pension?
Financial advice
You may wish to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) about your pension plans. See the Financial Conduct Authority website for tips on finding an adviser.
General pensions guidance
The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) provides information and guidance to help make you make informed decisions about your pensions and retirement plans. TPAS is an independent organisation that is grant-aided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Guidance on your options at retirement
If you are 50 or over, or are retiring on ill health grounds, you can get free and impartial guidance on your options by booking an appointment with Pension Wise. Appointments are available by telephone and face-to-face and take about 45 minutes. Further details are available on the Pension Wise website.
