In 2015 new laws introduced a new pension scheme for Firefighters– the Firefighters Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015). These laws included protections for those closest to retirement. It enabled them to stay in their legacy scheme for all, or part of the remedy period (between April 2015 and March 2022). This policy was referred to as “transitional protection”.
The courts determined that the protections given to members were age discriminatory following a legal challenge known as Sargeant.
The Government is progressing legislation in order to enact this remedy. The FPS will be required to implement scheme level changes. This will include:-
- Moving all members to the 2015 FPS with effect from 1st April 2022 – this will mean that members will continue to accrue benefits under the 2015 scheme with effect from this date;
- Placing all eligible members back onto their legacy scheme for the remedy period (i.e. 1st April 2015 – 31st March 2022) – in order to achieve this changes to pension regulations, systems and processes are required and therefore the Government has set a deadline of October 2023 for the completion of this work;
The national FPS website has a dedicated area including FAQs and a fact checker on the remedy proposals to help members understand these changes.
Peninsula Pensions will be contacting scheme members, as the regulatory changes occur, regarding changes to their pension . Our preferred approach would be to do this via our Member Self Service portal.
If you are not already signed up to use MSS, please go to the MSS area on the Peninsula Pensions website: https://members.peninsulapensions.org.uk/ to do so. Once registered you will be sent an activation key which will allow you to complete the set up.
Age discrimination remedy
We have become aware that third party organisations are contacting members of public service pension schemes, such as the firefighters’ pension scheme, selling their help in claiming the 2015 remedy (McCloud) benefits. As the administrator for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue, we will not request a fee for providing this information. You do not need to go through a third party to claim these benefits and we will contact you in due course to provide you with your remedial service statement to allow you to make your remedy option. Please remember to stay vigilant. If you are still unsure or have any concerns over a potential scam, please contact us for clarification.
Pension Remedy 2023 update
The Firefighters’ Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023 were finalised and will come into effect on 1 October 2023. This new legislation will allow for retrospective remedy covering the period between 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. To inform people about these changes, warm up letters have been issued during the first week of September by Peninsula Pensions. These letters were distributed via Member self service or by post. Therefore, please can we ask if you have any questions that you refer to your letter in the first instance.