Local authorities have been asked for their opinions on proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). These were set out in the LGPS green paper, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister last October, and include plans to limit employees' pensionable pay to basic salary, introduce flexible retirement and tiered ill-health benefits, and provide a defined contribution top-up scheme as an alternative to AVCs.

Employers have until 28 February to respond to the green paper, which is available at http://www.xoq 83.dial.pipex.com/gpfva.htm