Total Membership

As at 31 March 2016, the total membership of the Scheme was 5.3million, compared with 5.2million as at 31 March 2015. The greatest increase in absolute and relative terms was to deferred membership, which increased by 3.3% over the year.

  Total Membership bar chart image

(000s)

Actives

Deferreds

Pensioners

Total

2012

1,705

1,529

1,366

4,600

2013

1,728

1,621

1,408

4,758

2014

1,819

1,723

1,459

5,001

2015

1,870

1,798

1,487

5,156

2016

1,899

1,859

1,530

5,289

Increase (decrease) 2013

1.4%

5.7%

3.0%

3.3%

Increase (decrease) 2014

5.0%

5.9%

3.5%

4.9%

Increase (decrease) 2015

2.7% 3.7% 1.9% 2.8%

Increase (decrease) 2016

1.5% 3.3% 2.9% 2.5%

Change in membership over year ended 31 March 2016

 

Actives

Deferreds

Pensioners

Total

2012

37.1%

33.2%

29.7%

100%

2013

36.3%

34.1%

29.6%

100%

2014

36.4%

34.4%

29.2%

100%

2015

36.3%

34.9%

28.8%

100%

2016

35.9%

35.2%

28.9%

100%

Employers

The total number of employers listed in the Fund annual report and accounts 2016 was 12,915, compared with 11,801 for 2015. These totals includes active and ceased employers as well as scheduled and admitted bodies, including outsourcing companies, academies etc.

These figures may differ from employers listed in actuarial valuation reports and SF3 figures, as inactive employers with no active or deferred pensioner members may or may not be included.

CIPFA annual report guidance was updated for 2014 to included provision of an employer table with the aim of providing a more accurate figure for active versus ceased employers. Tables were provided in 15% of annual reports in 2014; this rate had improved to 57% in 2015 (including where equivalent information was disclosed) and was higher still at 62% for 2016. It is hoped that more administrating authorities will provide this information in future. Taking the ceased employer total from the grand total gives a figure of 11,173 not including ceased employers.

Average number of employers per fund by type of administering authority

Fund administering authority type

Count of funds

Average number of employers per fund

Metropolitan Districts 7 339
County Councils 38 225
Other 5 52
Wales 8 51
London Boroughs 33 40
Average number of employers bar chart image

 

The chart shows how the average number of employers differs between the types of administering authority. County council administered funds typically have more participating employers compared with London boroughs. The 'Other' category comprises the London Pension Fund Authority, Transport Authorities and the Environment Agency funds.