How much do I pay?

As a member of FPS 2015 you pay a pension contribution which is a percentage of your pensionable pay or assumed pensionable pay (see sections below on what these terms mean).

Contributions are normally be deducted from each instalment of pensionable pay as it becomes due unless another method of payment has been agreed with the fire authority. 

Current contribution rates for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 are as follows:

Contribution Table 2021/22
Pensionable pay range for an employment Contribution rate from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Up to £27,818 11.0%
£27,819 to £51,515 12.9%
£51,516 to £142,500 13.5%
£142,501 or more 14.5%

The pensionable pay shown in column 1, in the case of part-time regular firefighters and retained and volunteer firefighters, would be that of a whole-time regular firefighter of equivalent role and length of service.  It would not take into account certain reductions in pay, e.g. during sick leave, or leave of absence. 

The relevant contribution rate will be determined on commencement of membership and then at the start of each subsequent financial year (1 April). 

If, in the course of a financial year, you have a change in scheme employment or a material change which affects your pensionable pay, to the extent that the revised amount of your pensionable pay falls into a different contribution band, the authority will advise you of a change in contribution rate and the date from which the change will be applied. 

Contribution rates for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 are as follows:

Contribution Table 2020/21
Pensionable pay range for an employment Contribution rate from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
Up to £27,818 11.0%
£27,819 to £51,515 12.9%
£51,516 to £142,500 13.5%
£142,501 or more 14.5%

Contribution rates for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 are as follows:

Contribution Table 2019/20
Pensionable pay range for an employment Contribution rate from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020
Up to £27,818 11.0%
£27,819 to £51,515 12.9%
£51,516 to £142,500 13.5%
£142,501 or more 14.5%

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 from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
Up to £27,818 11.0%
£27,819 to £51,515 12.9%
£51,516 to £142,500 13.5%
£142,501 or more 14.5%

Contribution rates for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 are as follows:

Contribution Table 2017/18
Pensionable pay range for an employment Contribution rate 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018
Up to £27,543 10.5%
£27,544 to £51,005 12.7%
£51,006 to £142,500 13.5%
£142,501 or more 14.5%

 

Employer contributions as determined by the Scheme Actuary and the Secretary of State are paid by the fire authority, together with any additional costs which have to be borne by the employer, e.g. relating to ill-health retirement or employer initiated early retirement.

Illness or injury absence

If you are away from scheme employment because of illness or injury, and receiving pensionable pay and/or statutory pay, you would continue to pay contributions at your usual percentage rate on the pensionable/statutory pay that you receive. If, however, you are not entitled to receive pensionable/statutory pay during the absence, you can elect to pay contributions at your usual percentage rate based on the pay you were receiving immediately before it ceased. Payment can be made by lump sum, or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority and within certain time limits. The fire authority may also require you to pay the employer contributions that would have been paid but for the absence.

Child-related leave

During child-related leave you would pay contributions on whatever rate of pensionable pay you receive (including statutory pay). If you are not entitled to receive any pensionable/statutory pay during a period of ordinary maternity, paternity or ordinary adoption leave, you would be treated as if you had paid contributions. If you are not entitled to receive any pensionable/statutory pay  during a period of additional maternity, additional adoption leave, parental leave or shared parental leave, you will have the option to pay contributions on "assumed pensionable pay", i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the leave. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority. The fire authority would pay employer contributions on the assumed pensionable pay.

Authorised unpaid absence

If you have a period of authorised unpaid absence, you can elect to pay contributions at your usual contribution rate on "assumed pensionable pay", i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the unpaid absence. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority. The fire authority may also require you to pay the employer contributions that would have been paid but for the absence.

Trade dispute absence

If you are absent because of a trade dispute, you can elect to pay contributions on "assumed pensionable pay", i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the absence. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority. The fire authority may also require you to pay the employer contributions that would have been paid but for the absence.

Reserve Forces Service Leave

While on reserve forces service leave you would be required to pay contributions on your "assumed pensionable pay", i.e. the pay you would have received but for the leave (unless you qualify for benefits under another occupational pension scheme during that period). The contributions may be deducted from any payment made, in respect of the same period, under Part 5 of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951. The authority will give a member, who is about to start reserve forces leave, a statement showing the assumed pensionable pay for the period of leave, the contribution rate to apply, details of any payments to be paid by the authority to the member, and the employer contribution rate which applies during that period. The authority would pay employer contributions on the assumed pensionable pay.

Contributions, pensions and certain other benefits are based on "pensionable pay" and "assumed pensionable pay". 

The following items are treated as pensionable pay:

  • pay received for the performance of the duties of your role, except for any allowances or emoluments paid on a temporary basis;
  • your permanent emoluments (including, in the case of a retained firefighter, any retaining allowance)
  • the amount foregone if you have agreed to surrender the right to receive part of your pensionable pay in exchange for the employer providing a non-cash benefit (this is sometimes referred to as "salary sacrifice");
  • the amount paid for continued professional development if the authority has determined that this should be pensionable.

However, any payments made by an employer to a member who is on reserve forces service leave would not count as pensionable.

Although the contribution rate (the percentage) is determined by reference to whole-time equivalent pay for a part-time regular, retained or volunteer firefighter, the contributions paid will be based on the firefighter's actual (part-time) pay. 

Sometimes a firefighter's pay may be reduced or cease for a period. This could have an effect on the assessment of benefits. FPS 2015 explains what can count as "assumed pensionable pay" in certain circumstances so that benefits will not be affected. These circumstances include sick leave, injury leave, child-related leave and unpaid leave. In some circumstances, e.g. sick leave with reduced pay, assumed pensionable pay will be applied automatically, in other circumstance, e.g. sick leave with no pay, the application of assumed pensionable pay would depend upon a member electing to pay, and paying, contributions for the relevant period. 

Your pensions administrator would inform you of your rights and options in such circumstances.

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