Firefighters' Pension (FPS 2015) Summary
The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015) is a statutory public sector defined benefit pension scheme provided to operational firefighters and control room staff across UK Fire and Rescue Authorities.
Under FPS 2015, operational members build up guaranteed retirement income based on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) structure with an accrual rate of 1/59.7th (1.675%) of pensionable earnings earned each year.
⚙️ Rules & Thresholds
- CARE Pension Accrual Formula:
Annual Guaranteed Pension Accrued = Gross Pensionable Salary × (1 / 59.7).- Revalued annually for active serving members in line with Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) indexation.
- Member Tiered Contribution Rates (2026/27):
- Up to £27,818: 11.0% member contribution rate.
- £27,819 to £51,515: 12.9% member contribution rate.
- £51,516 to £142,500: 13.5% member contribution rate.
- Over £142,500: 14.5% member contribution rate.
- Employer Contribution Rate: Fire and Rescue Authorities pay substantial employer contributions averaging 28.8% of pensionable pay into the scheme.
- Normal Pension Age (NPA): Age 60 for active serving operational firefighters (reflecting fitness requirements), or State Pension Age for deferred members.
📊 Practical Examples
- Gross Pensionable Pay: £36,500.00
- Member Contribution Rate (Tier £27,819–£51,515): 12.9% (£4,708.50/yr / £392.38/mo)
- Employer Contribution (28.8%): £10,512.00 / year
- Single Year Pension Accrual (1/59.7th): £36,500 / 59.7 = **£611.39 / year**
Projected 25-Year Guaranteed Annual Pension: 25 × £611.39 = **£15,284.75 / year** (payable for life from Age 60, index-linked).
Tax Relief Impact: Member contributions receive 20% Income Tax relief, reducing the net monthly out-of-pocket cost to £313.90/month.
📑 Common Pitfalls
- Taking Early Retirement Before Age 60: Active members can retire from age 55, but taking a pension before age 60 incurs permanent actuarial reductions (approx. 4% to 5% per year early).
- Ignoring McCloud Remedy Adjustments: Firefighters with service between 2015 and 2022 are affected by the McCloud remedy, offering a choice between legacy scheme (FPS 1992/2006) and FPS 2015 CARE benefits for the 7-year remedy period.
- Confusing Base Pay with Non-Pensionable Overtime: Pensionable pay includes basic salary and CPD allowances, but excludes ad-hoc non-pensionable voluntary overtime.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Under the FPS 2015 scheme, the Normal Pension Age for active operational firefighters is age 60. Members who leave service before age 60 receive a deferred pension payable at State Pension Age.
The FPS 2015 scheme uses an accrual rate of 1/59.7th (approx. 1.675%) of your pensionable earnings for each year of service. Active member accounts are revalued annually in line with Average Weekly Earnings (AWE).
Yes. The scheme includes medical ill-health retirement provisions. Lower-tier ill-health pensions provide immediate unreduced accrued pension; higher-tier ill-health awards provide an enhanced pension if permanently unfit for any regular employment.
Yes. You can commute up to 25% of your total FPS 2015 pension value into a tax-free lump sum at retirement under standard HMRC rules, surrendering £1 of annual pension for £12 of tax-free cash.