In 2015 a new Firefighters’ Pension scheme was introduced.
If you were previously a member of the 2006 Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, your pension will automatically transfer to the 2015 scheme in a process called ‘tapered protection’.
This transfer will happen on a date determined by your date of birth unless you retire before this time. This is known as your ‘taper protected date’.
Check your taper protected date (2006 members).
How do I know if I am taper protected?
You will be taper protected if you are a member of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 (FPS 2006) and, as at 1 April 2012, who were born between 2 April 1962 and 1 April 1966.
What does that mean for me?
You will have a taper protection date which is personal to you. At the taper date, you will move across to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015).
Your existing 2006 scheme pension rights will not transfer with you, and they will remain fully protected in the 2006 scheme.
If your taper protection date falls after you choose to retire, you will not move across to the 2015 scheme.
When can I access my pension?
Unless you retire before transferring across to the 2015 scheme, you will have pension rights in both the 2006 and 2015 schemes. This means that you will have a ‘two part’ pension.
Part 1
The first part of your pension remains fully protected in the 2006 scheme and, if you remain an active scheme member, can be taken, on retirement, from age 55 with an actuarial reduction (based on the existing 2006 scheme arrangements) or from age 60 without a reduction.
Your 2006 scheme pension will be calculated on your ‘final salary’ at retirement.
Part 2
The second part of your pension is in the 2015 scheme. If you remain an active member, this can be taken; from age 55 with a reduction*, at age 60 without any reduction, or after age 60 with a pension enhancement.
If you have left service before being entitled to take your 2015 scheme pension, it will come into payment in full at your state pension age, or earlier with a reduction.
At what rate will my 2006 and 2015 scheme pension be reduced?*
The Public Service Pensions Act 2013 requires the normal pension age to be age 60 and pension taken before that to be reduced.
This table sets out the reduction to the separate 2006 and 2015 elements of your pension.
Age | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 Scheme | 21.8% | 17.9% | 13.9% | 9.5% | 4.8% |
2006 Scheme | 40.5% | 37.6% | 34.4% | 31.1% | 27.5% |
What pension will I get at retirement?
There is no cap on the amount of pension that can be earned in the 2015 scheme. Firefighters who transfer from the 2006 scheme to the 2015 scheme will be able to receive a bigger pension than had the reforms not taken place. The online calculator provides more details.
What contributions will I be paying?
Until you taper date, your contributions will continue to be paid into the 2006 scheme.
FPS 2006 employee contribution rate
Bottom of range (Full time equivalent rate) | Top of range (Full time equivalent rate) | Contribution for FPS 2006 scheme members – April 2014 |
---|---|---|
£0 | £15,000 | 8.5% |
£15,001 | £21,000 | 9.4% |
£21,001 | £30,000 | 10.4% |
£30,001 | £40,000 | 10.9% |
£40,001 | £50,000 | 11.2% |
£50,001 | £60,000 | 11.3% |
£60,001 | £100,000 | 11.7% |
£100,001 | £120,000 | 12.1% |
£120,001 | 12.5% |
After your taper date, you will join the FPS 2015 Scheme, details of the current contributions are
Salary | Contribution to FPS scheme members – April 2017 |
---|---|
£0 up to £27,543 | 10.5% |
Over £27,543 up to £51,005 | 12.7% |
Over £51,005 up to £142,500 | 13.5% |
Over £142,500 | 14.5% |