Additional voluntary contributions
Additional voluntary contributions
There are currently about 6,500 active members paying additional voluntary contributions (AVC) to Prudential. You must ensure that each member’s cumulative AVCs for the year (April – March) are included in your monthly data submission. Every new AVC or change to an existing AVC, such as a payment change or a cancellation will start a process for employers and Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
Around the middle of every month, Prudential send a listing by post to any employers with members who want to start, amend or cancel their AVC for the following month. We receive a duplicate list from Prudential to amend the member records we hold.
Important things to remember
The list will only include notifications of contributions made to Prudential. It will not include any payments for additional membership or additional pension.
You need to notify GMPF if you see any incorrect information.
You should tell Prudential and GMPF of any changes to contact details for your employer.
You should be aware that AVC payments must be passed on to Prudential within one week of the deduction being made.
Refunds should be dealt with separately from the normal listing process, and negative adjustments should not be made within the regular monthly listing.
When there is a compulsory transfer, you should not deduct AVC contributions from the new employment. If the member wishes to continue paying AVC contributions, they will need to contact Prudential directly to set up a new contract. Prudential will then send you an instruction to start deducting AVC contributions.
Contact Prudential
If you have any queries you will need to contact Prudential directly.
- Prudential helpline for members and employers – 0345 6000343
- Enquiries about AVCs and/or new applications - www.pru.co.uk/localgov
- Postal address - LGAVC Department, Prudential, Lancing, BN15 8GB
- General administrative queries - avc.admin@prudential.co.uk
- Contribution data - avc.cashschedules@prudential.co.uk
If you are not already using Prudential's secure email system, we encourage you to do so to improve the security of the data you are sending. You should use Prudential’s secure email when sending any member data to Prudential and when sending contribution data each month.
You will need to visit Prudential’s secure website and follow the registration instructions. Once you are registered you should be able to receive and send secure emails to Prudential.
Prudential can provide you with a member AVC list, or additional help with setting a paypoint reference. They can provide advice about salary sacrifice AVC, which GMPF do not have an involvement with.
Prudential can also arrange presentations to staff at your workplace to help raise awareness about the pension scheme and how members can improve their benefits. In particular, their tax free cash sum at retirement, using the AVC facility. To keep members informed, we would encourage you to consider using Prudential’s communication support. To discuss this with Prudential, you can call 01236 763486.