A forum for open discussion on communities and local government policy.

New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme - implementation of the options exercise

This topic is intended for HR and pension administrators from Fire and Rescue Authorities only. The topic will run until 30 April 2007.

A New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NFPS) is being introduced for regular, retained and volunteer firefighters recruited since 6 April 2006. Existing firefighters whether or not members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) may opt to join the new scheme.

The DCLG firefighters’ pension team is currently working with the Fire and Rescue Authorities to prepare for the launch of an options exercise that will provide firefighters with the opportunity to join the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme in January 2007. Planning for the Options exercise is well advanced and option packs will be distributed by FRAs in early January. The exercise will run until the end of March 2007.

Pension and HR administrators are invited to raise and discuss issues that arise when preparing for and during the exercise.

(This topic follows a previous discussion regarding what questions HR and pension administrators expect to be raised during the implementation of the options exercise. This discussion closed on 30 November 2006 and is now available to read in the forum archive).

Closing Statement

Posted by a mooney on 11/04/2007 - 15:13

The closing date of 31st March has passed for this discussion topic, and it will now be archived.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated in the discussions. Your contributions were valuable.
We will be reviewing the effectiveness of the discussion forum as a means of communicating with HR and pension administrators and decide whether we should use it again in the future. We will inform you by firefighters’ pensions circular if we launch a new topic for discussion.
Kind Regards

Firefighters’ Pension Team

Response to Jane Newell (Extension beyond age 55 in FPS)

Posted by a mooney on 19/03/2007 - 15:11

The FPS does not have a complulsory/maximum retirement age but a normal pension age of 55 (Rule A13) which is the point at which pension may come into payment irrespective of length of service. The view we have taken is that the FRA may require a firefighter to demonstrate continuing fitness for the role in which he is employed but otherwise the person may continue in employment until he/she chooses to retire - there is a need for employment contracts to build this in and I assume that as most contracts will have been in operation long before age discrimination legislation intervened that this makes it more difficult.

If a person remains they can stay in the FPS, although they cannot accrrue more than the maximum pension of 40/60ths. If they want to opt out at that point then they become entitled to a deferred pension, which would be payable at 60. Alternatively, if they satisfy the eligibility criteria they could take a deferred pension in the FPS and join the NFPS for future service.

Extension of Service beyond Age 55 in FPS

Posted by Jane Newell on 15/03/2007 - 16:06

A few wholetime employees have enquired about being granted an extension of service beyond age 55 to attain 30 years pensionable service while remaining in the FPS. Is it possible to continue paying in contributions to the FPS beyond age 55 until 30 years pensionable service is reached?

Response to Helen Payne (Purchase additional Benefits)

Posted by a mooney on 13/03/2007 - 15:46

It is our view that the FRA would have to make an informed decision on the likely prospective earnings of the retained member by reference to how much they have earned over the past 12 months (or longer if possible). It would be necessary for the FRA to monitor the future earnings of the retained member to ensure that the impact on pensionable service is such that it does not cause it to exceed the 40/60th cap by normal retirement age (60).

We would expect that there would be very few cases where the retained member’s pensionable service, including any purchased additional service, would exceed the scheme’s cap, however, in these circumstances the member would be reimbursed any overpayment of contributions.

Firefighters' Pension Team

PURCHASE OF SERVICE - RETAINED FIREFIGHTER

Posted by HELEN PAYNE on 12/03/2007 - 10:52

HOW DO I CALCULATE HOW MUCH A RETAINED FF CAN BUY/PAY IN RELATION TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE, AS I WOULD BE UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN HIS CURRENT AND FUTURE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED? PRESUMABLY THEY WOULD ALSO BE RESTRICTED TO BUYING 40 YEARS?

Reply to Fiona Clark (Fire Options Exercise)

Posted by a mooney on 08/03/2007 - 08:28

Yes. Whilst there is no requirement for firefighters to return the acknowledgenment forms, we have advised that they should be sent reminders, supported by other internal communications action. The default position, if they do not return their forms is that they remain in the FPS but for the avoidance of doubt, and any future arguments, action on their part is desirable.

Firefighters' Pension Team

Reply to Jull Waterworth (Retained Leavers)

Posted by a mooney on 08/03/2007 - 08:24

No, they would not be eligible for membership under Rule 1 of Part 2 of the NFPS.

Firefighters' Pension Team

Response to Helen Payne

Posted by a mooney on 07/03/2007 - 15:11

We know of no reason why the firefighter should not be a member of the NFPS (in respect of his RDS contract) and the PCSPS (in respect of his primary employment contract).

Firefighters' Pension Team

Retained Leavers

Posted by Jill Waterworth on 06/03/2007 - 11:50

We have been contacted by Retained Personnel who have left the service during the pension option exercise period, Ill Health not due to service. Can they join the NFPS backdating their service to 06/04/06 and receive an Ill Health pension

Fire Options Exercise

Posted by fiona clark on 06/03/2007 - 11:27

i have been asked by several firefighters what would happen if they do not complete and return the acknowledgement form. I assume the default position will be that they will remain members of the FPS but if they decide to transfer to the NFPS at a later date it will be under normal transfer terms? Should we send out a letter to firefighters who have not returned their forms confirming the above as was done as part of the Police options exercise

New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme - implementation of the options exercise

Closing Statement

Response to Jane Newell (Extension beyond age 55 in FPS)

Extension of Service beyond Age 55 in FPS

Response to Helen Payne (Purchase additional Benefits)

PURCHASE OF SERVICE - RETAINED FIREFIGHTER

Reply to Fiona Clark (Fire Options Exercise)

Reply to Jull Waterworth (Retained Leavers)

Response to Helen Payne

Retained Leavers

Fire Options Exercise

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