In addition to your FPS benefits, you may also qualify for a state retirement pension paid by the government from State Pension Age.
A new single tier, flat rate State Pension has been introduced for people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. It replaces the basic and additional State Pension that is payable to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You will be able to claim the new State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you’re:
- a man born on or after 6 April 1951
- a woman born on or after 6 April 1953
- and, normally, have at least 10 years qualifying years on your National Insurance record.
Find out your State Pension Age
If you do not know what your State Pension Age is you can use www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension to find this out.
Start planning for retirement
As a member of the Firefighter Pension Scheme (FPS) you were previously ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension and therefore received a rebate on your National Insurance (NI) contributions. From 6 April 2016 this rebate ceased and the FPS is longer ‘contracted out’.
You should be aware that, as a member of the FPS, if you are eligible for the new State Pension you might not receive the full amount. This is because as a member of the FPS you are likely to have paid a lower amount of National Insurance in previous years. More information about this and the new State Pension, including how much state pension you will get and how to increase it, can be found at www.gov.uk/yourstatepension.
LGA have produced a Topping Up Your State Pension Guide, listing the various ways that an individual may top up their State Pension, depending on their personal circumstances and when they reach their State Pension Age.
The Money Advice Service website also has information on the options available to individuals looking to top up their state pension.
State Pension Age
This is the earliest age you can receive the state basic pension. State Pension Age is currently age 65 for men. State Pension Age for women is currently being increased to be equalised with that for men and will reach 65 by December 2018.
State Pension Age equalisation timetable for women
| Date of Birth | New State Pension Age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1950 | 60 |
| 6 April 1950 - 5 April 1951 | In the range 60 - 61 |
| 6 April 1951 - 5 April 1952 | In the range 61 - 62 |
| 6 April 1952 - 5 April 1953 | In the range 62 - 63 |
| 6 April 1953 - 5 August 1953 | In the range 63 - 64 |
| 6 August 1953 - 5 December 1953 | In the range 64 - 65 |
The State Pension Age will then increase to 66 for both men and women from December 2018 to October 2020.
Increase in State Pension Age from 65 to 66 for men and women
| Date of Birth | New State Pension Age |
|---|---|
| 6 December 1953 - 5 October 1954 | In the range 65 - 66 |
| After 5 October 1954 | 66 |
Under current legislation the State Pension Age is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, the government has announced plans to link rises in the State Pension Age above age 67 to increases in life expectancy.
To find out your State Pension Age please visit https://www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension.
Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE)
As part of the changes to the State Pension introduced in April 2016 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced a term called Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE).
COPE is an estimated amount for those who were previously ‘contracted-out’ of the additional State Pension to see how National Insurance (NI) contributions paid before 6 April 2016 will contribute to their overall pension income.
More information can be found on our Contracted-out Pension Equivalent (COPE) page.