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Summary of Fire Provisions
Membership
is open to all regular firefighters with a fire authority in England,
Scotland or Wales. It is not compulsory.
Basic Contribution Rate is 11% of pay.
Additional Contributions can be paid,
by election and subject to eligibility, to "purchase" additional
service.
Previous Service as a firefighter or with
another pension arrangement may be transferred to add to current service
as a member of the firefighters pension scheme.
Retirement Age:
| compulsory |
| age 55 for ranks up to and including station officer |
| age 60 for ranks assistant divisional officer and above |
|
optional
|
| age 50 with at least 25 years service |
Assessment
of Pension
annual pension: service*/60 x average pensionable pay
*each year of service to 20 years = 1/60th
*each year of service after 20 years = 2/60th
to a maximum of 40/60ths.
Commutation
is possible within certain limits and according to age, in order to convert
a portion of the annual pension into a lump sum.
Allocation is the right to give up a portion
of one's own pension for a spouse or dependant on death.
Ill
Health Award is payable in the event of permanent incapacity, normally
with an enhancement of service.
Injury Award comprising a gratuity and "minimum
income" pension is payable according to the degree of disability
in the event of a "qualifying injury".
Early Leaver Benefits apply in the event of
leaving the brigade before a pension is payable. The options, dependent
upon length of service and future employment, are:
- a deferred pension
- a transfer of pension rights to another brigade
- a transfer of pension rights to another pension scheme
- a transfer of pension rights to a "buy out" policy
- a refund
of contributions
Effect of State Scheme is quite complex; the Firefighter's Pension Scheme has contracted-out status which means that the level of benefits payable by the scheme meets minimum requirements.
Death
Benefits are
provided in the form of a lump sum death in service grant together with
spouse's and dependants' benefits.
Effects of Divorce depends upon the decision
of the court. If the court issues an "earmarking" order, all
or part of the death grant, pension or lump sum by commutation may be
paid to the ex-spouse at the time those benefits would normally be paid
to, or in respect of, the firefighter. If, instead, the court issues a
pension sharing order, part of the firefighter's accrued value of pension
rights will be deducted to provide benefits for the ex-spouse who becomes
a "pension credit member" of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.
Pension Credit Member's Benefits are provided
for the ex-spouse of a scheme member in the event of a court issuing a
pension sharing order on divorce. The benefits are payable from age 60
and comprise a pension and, provided the firefighter has not already commuted
part of his/her pension, the option of a lump sum.
Pension Increase i.e."cost of living"
increases, are paid with immediate effect on ill health pensions and from
age 55 on age retirement pensions.
Rights of Appeal can be used if dissatisfied
with the reckoning of previous service, the decisions of the fire authority
as to the type and amount of award, or the medical opinion on which decisions
are based. There are further and alternative rights of appeal allowable
under the Pensions Act 1995.
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Section, Aberdeen City Council 2001 - 2006 >> Disclaimer