Your firefighters' pension is a valuable benefit

When you join the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, you'll automatically join our occupational pension scheme on appointment as a firefighter, crew or watch manager, regardless of your duty system. This includes part-time, volunteer and retained duty system firefighters as well as previous pension scheme members who are re-joining after a break of five years or more (as long as you're between the ages of 16 and 75).

It's a defined benefit scheme and, after 3 months qualifying service, entitles you to a pension payable for life when you retire. Your normal pension age will be 60. 

Your scheme membership also entitles you to:

  • the option to exchange part of your pension for a tax-free lump sum when you retire
  • tax relief on your pension contributions
  • valuable benefits for your dependants when you die
  • the option to nominate an individual, or individuals, to receive a lump sum payable in the event of your death
  • the option to increase your benefits by paying extra contributions which can be deducted along with your regular contributions or paid as a lump sum
  • options to apply to retire early if you're unable to work due to ill health.

Both you and your employer contribute towards the cost of your pension. All deductions are taken monthly, direct from your salary by your payroll department.

Contributions

The amount you pay depends on how much you earn. The current rates before tax relief are shown in the table below – your contributions are deducted from your pay before tax is applied – so you pay less tax.

2015 Scheme

 
Pensionable pay rangeContribution rate
Up to £27,818 a year11.0%
£27,819 to £51,51512.9%
£51,516 to £142,50013.5%
More than £142,50114.5%

 

2006 Scheme

 
Pensionable pay rangeContribution rate
Up to and including £15,6098.5%
£15,610 to £21,8529.4%
£21,853 to £31,21810.4%
£31,219 to £41,62410.9%
£41,625 to £52,03011.2%
£52,031 to £62,43611.3%
£62,437 to £104,06011.7%
£104,061 to £124,87212.1%
More than £124,87212.5%

 

1992 Scheme

 
Pensionable pay rangeContribution rate
Up to and including £15,60911.0%
£15,610 to £21,85212.2%
£21,853 to £31,21814.2%
£31,219 to £41,62414.7%
£41,625 to £52,03015.2%
£52,031 to £62,43615.5%
£62,437 to £104,06016.0%
£104,061 to £124,87216.5%
More than £124,87217.0%

Please note that temporary payments, including temporary promotion payments, are not pensionable.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the government also pay into the scheme on your behalf.

Death nomination form and partner nomination form

As well as providing you with an income in retirement, membership of the scheme also provides valuable benefits for your dependants when you die. You can use this form to nominate the beneficiaries you'd like to receive a lump sum payment in the event of your death.

If you have a non-legal partner, you can use this form to nominate them as your beneficiary in the event of your death.

Changing your details

To amend personal details including a change of address, name or marital status please email us.

Please include your National Insurance number on all correspondence and any relevant documentation (for example, marriage certificate). Alternatively, write to:

Firefighters' Pensions Team

Scottish Public Pensions Agency

7 Tweedside Park

Tweedbank

Galashiels

TD1 3TE

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