Firefighters in the UK are covered by a series of schemes — the 1992 scheme, the 2006 New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, and the 2015 scheme introduced as part of the wider public sector reforms. Like the Police schemes, they have unusually low normal pension ages reflecting the physical demands of the role.
What we’ll cover
Plain-English explainers for this scheme are being written. They’ll cover:
- How your pension is calculated, with worked examples
- Contribution rates and how they’re banded
- Normal pension age, early retirement, and ill-health benefits
- Additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) and added pension
- Lump-sum commutation — when it makes sense and when it doesn’t
- Survivor benefits and what your family inherits
- The McCloud remedy decision: what it means for you, scheme by scheme
Information, not advice. This article describes the general rules of the scheme. It is not regulated financial advice and does not take account of your personal circumstances. Pension decisions can have lifetime consequences, so consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser or to MoneyHelper before making one. Pension Plain is not authorised or regulated by the FCA.