The pension scheme for firefighters is a defined benefits scheme which means members pay set contributions and receive pension benefits based on service and pay.
The scheme is administered by the City of Edinburgh Council on behalf of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.
A new Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) was set up at the end of March 2007. This new scheme was backdated to take effect from 6 April 2006.
The new scheme has a lower contribution rate: 8.5% of salary instead of the 11% rate payable in the old FPS. It has a normal retirement age of 60. It offers some benefits that the old scheme did not, such as pensions for unmarried partners.
All regular firefighters appointed after 6 April 2006 are automatically made members of the new scheme with effect from their start date, but can choose to opt out.
Regular firefighters appointed before 6 April 2006 had the option of
Firefighters who opted out the old scheme can choose to join the new scheme if they wish.
Retained firefighters appointed on or after 6 April 2006 automatically become members of the new scheme either from the date of appointment. They can choose to opt out.
Further information is available from the Fire Brigades Union website.
The Fire Brigades Union website also has a
calculator
on their website that can be used to get an estimate of pension benefits.
Each year around December Fund members will receive an annual benefits forecast to help plan their retirement.
Further information on Firefighters Pensions can be found by visiting the
websites of the Department
for Communities and Local Government and the Scottish
Public Pensions Agency.