About the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006 (NFPS)

Although the New Firefighters’ Pension scheme closed to new members on 1 April 2015, if you’re an active member who joined on or after 6 April 2006 you still benefit from continuing membership of the scheme as long as:

  • you satisfy the membership conditions and joined before 1 April 2015
  • you haven’t opted out of the scheme
  • you’re eligible for protection to remain in this scheme and;
  • you haven’t had any subsequent break in continuity of employment.

Continuing membership after a change of duties

One of the conditions for membership in the NFPS was that members should have been appointed as regular firefighters who were expected by their fire and rescue authority to engage in firefighting. Having joined the NFPS, however, membership can continue if you’re required to perform just the non-firefighting duties appropriate to your role. This means, for example, that if you become unfit for the ‘operational’ aspects of the role (provided there’s no break in the continuity of your employment) you can remain a member.

Other types of membership

If you’re a retained or volunteer firefighter, recruited before 1st April 2015 you may also continue to be a member of the NFPS.

Pension transfers

In some cases, if you transfer previous service into the fire pension scheme, a part of that transferred in service may be eligible to gain pensionable service in the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme (NFPS) 2006.

NFPS 2006 main terms

  • Dual accrual rate of 1/60 of final salary for each year of service and members can accrue up to 45 years of service.
  • Option to exchange part of your pension for a tax-free lump sum (£12 of a lump sum value for every £1 pension given up).
  • Normal pension age of 60 for active contributing members.
  • Deferred pension age of 65 years for members that have left the scheme but have a preserved pension.
  • Immediate pension and lump sum payment to any officer at any age who is granted ill-health retirement.
  • A lump sum death grant of two times pay.
  • A pension for a widow, widower or surviving civil partner (normally of half of the officer’s pension entitlement after lump sum deduction).
  • Dependent children under the age of 23 may qualify for a pension.

More information

NEW Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006 Guide

 

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