Protected members of the 2006 scheme

How do I know if I am protected?

You are fully protected, if at 1st April 2012, you were a member or eligible to be a member of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 (FPS 2006) and were aged 50 or over.

What does that mean for me?

It means you will remain in your existing pension scheme and continue to earn rights in the 2006 scheme until you choose to retire.

When can I access my pension?

As you are fully protected, you will see no change in the age that you can retire, or the amount of pension you will get at retirement.

What pension will I get at retirement?

Unlike members of the 2006 scheme who transfer to the 2015 scheme, you will continue to have a cap of 45 years’ service on the amount of pension that you can earn, even if you pay pension contributions for over 45 years. Your commutation arrangements will continue on the same basis as currently.

What contributions will I be paying?

You will continue to pay the tariff for the 2006 scheme. Current contribution rates for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 are as follows:

Contribution Table 2018/19
Pensionable pay range for an employment Contribution rate 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
Up to and including £15,609 8.5% of pensionable pay
More than £15,609 and up to and including £21,852 9.4% of pensionable pay
More than £21,852 and up to and including £31,218 10.4% of pensionable pay
More than £31,218 and up to and including £41,624 10.9% of pensionable pay
More than £41,624 and up to and including £52,030 11.2% of pensionable pay
More than £52,030 and up to and including £62,436 11.3% of pensionable pay
More than £62,436 and up to and including £104,060 11.7% of pensionable pay
More than £104,060 and up to and including £124,872 12.1% of pensionable pay
More than £124,872 12.5% of pensionable pay

Opting out

Be aware that opting out has long-term implications and members should not make any such decision until they are aware of all the implications. Anyone who is considering this course of action should take independent financial advice.

Withdrawing Pension Savings

From April 2015, individuals aged over 55 with Defined Contribution (DC) pension savings will be able to withdraw pension savings, subject to their marginal rate of taxation and scheme rules.

The Firefighters Pension Scheme is a Defined Benefit (DB) public sector pension scheme, therefore the change in the rules cannot be directly applied to this Scheme. From 6th April 2015 transfers out from Defined Benefit public sector pension schemes (such as the Firefighters Pension Scheme) to Defined Contribution schemes, will no longer be possible.

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