Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS)
For most people, the retirement process will take at least two months. So, if you want to avoid any unnecessary delays, it pays to plan ahead. The information on this page will help you get started.
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When can I retire?
You may be able to start taking your firefighter pension from the age of 60, or even earlier. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to understand the rules, as they can vary depending on when you joined the scheme.
Normal Pension Age
Normal Pension Age (NPA) is the age you can take your full pension without any reductions. This varies depending on the scheme and whether you’re still paying into it.
| Scheme | NPA (if still contributing) | NPA (if no longer contributing) |
| 1992 and 2006 Special Members | Age 55 | Age 60 |
| 2006 | Age 60 | Age 60 |
| 2015 | Age 60 | State Pension Age |
What are my options?
Depending on when you joined the scheme, your pension may include different types of benefit.
| Scheme | Options |
| 2015 | CARE scheme benefits plus an optional tax-free lump sum |
| 2006 / 2006 Special Members | Final salary scheme benefits plus an optional tax-free lump sum |
| 1992 | Final salary scheme benefits plus an optional tax-free lump sum |
As a transitional member, your eligibility to retire comes from the rules of the final salary scheme you were in before you joined the 2015 scheme.
If you have 1992 or 2006 benefits, you can take the pension you have built up in that scheme at the normal retirement age for that scheme or you could retire early. Find out more about early retirement here.
Or Visit the LGA website for more details on your retirement options.
It depends on the lifestyle you want to achieve and how much it’s realistically going to cost. Alongside everyday expenses, this could involve things like travel, home improvements and hobbies.
As well as working out your monthly pension, be sure to consider any additional sources of income, such as savings, investments and rental properties. But remember, your state pension won’t kick in until you’re at State Pension Age, so if you’re hoping to retire early, you’re going to need a plan B.
If you’re wondering how much money you’ll need to enjoy a comfortable retirement, you might find The Retirement Living Standards web pages useful. They have been put together by The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) to help people plan ahead for retirement – based on independent research by Loughborough University.
Visit Retirement Living Standards website Link opens in a new windowHow are my benefits calculated?
Your Firefighter Pension Scheme (FPS) benefits are worked out based on your pay, membership type and contributions. The benefits are also adjusted annually to bring them in line with inflation.
Full details on how your benefits are calculated are also available on the LGA website or in the FPS scheme guide.
The 1992 scheme is a final salary scheme.
- Your pension is calculated based on 1/80th of your final pensionable pay for each year of membership (or your ‘full-time equivalent’ pay if part time).
- You are also entitled to swap part of your pension for a lump sum, which may be taxable.
The 2006 scheme is a final salary scheme.
- Your pension is calculated based on 1/60th of your final pensionable pay for each year of membership (or your ‘full-time equivalent’ pay if part time).
- You are also entitled to swap up to 25% of your pension benefits into a tax-free lump sum. For every £1 of annual income you give up, you would receive £12 in your lump sum.
The 2006 Special members scheme is a final salary scheme.
- Your pension is calculated based on 1/45th of your final pensionable pay for each year of membership.
- You are also entitled to swap up to 25% of your pension benefits into a tax-free lump sum. For every £1 of annual income you give up, you would receive £12 in your lump sum.
- Find more details on how your benefits are calculated here.
The 2015 scheme is a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme. This means your benefits are worked out based on a proportion of your salary for each year you are member of the scheme:
- Every year, 1/59.7 of your pensionable pay is added to your pension account.
- At retirement, the total amount of pension you have built up each year is added together to calculate your benefits.
- You are also entitled to swap up to 25% of your pension benefits into a tax-free lump sum. For every £1 of annual income you give up, you would receive £12 in your lump sum.
- If you have multiple jobs, you’ll have separate pension accounts for each employment.
If you moved into the 2015 scheme, you will receive a two-part pension – one part from your original final salary scheme (2006) and the other from your 2015 scheme. The rules of each scheme apply separately to each part of your pension and there are some special transitional rules on how your benefits are calculated.
If you have 1992 benefits and moved into the 2015 scheme, your retirement options are covered by the age discrimination remedy (McCloud). Learn more about Remedy here.
Please note
If your pension benefits are affected by the age discrimination remedy (McCloud) judgement, your benefits will be recalculated and we will contact you directly with your options.
For more information, please visit our dedicated remedy page
How do I retire?
Follow the steps below to find out how you can retire.
- It’s important to speak to your employer as soon as possible and let them know that you intend to retire. While we are adjusting to the changes brought about by the age discrimination remedy, you should let your employer know at least three months before you intend to finish your employment.
- Once you’ve told your HR department that you intend to retire, it’s up to your employer to notify LPPA. We can’t start your retirement application until we receive an employer leaver form, which includes confirmation of your pay information.
- Try to let us know at least two months before you want to start taking your pension. We will write to you as you get close to Normal Pension Age (NPA).
- You can get in touch with us via our online contact form
- If you don’t let us know that you intend to retire, we’ll confirm your retirement options in writing when you reach normal pension age (NPA).
- Once we’ve had notification that you intend to retire, we’ll send you a retirement pack in the post.
- Return your completed forms to LPPA, along with any additional documents that have been requested. Be sure to read the forms carefully because if they are returned to us with any gaps or without the necessary signatures, it can delay your application.
- The easiest way to return the forms is via our online contact form – just take a picture (or scan them) and you can upload them via your phone or computer.
- After receiving your completed forms, we review the content and if we require any additional information, we drop you an email explaining exactly what we need.
- The sooner you respond to our request, the sooner we can process your application. Remember, you can send us any additional forms or information via our online contact form
- We’ll let you know once we have all the information we need. At this point, we’ll run your retirement calculations and get everything set up ready to pay your pension.
- We send your retirement payment letter shortly before your retirement date. This includes confirmation of your retirement benefits and payment dates.
- Check this document carefully, as it includes the final details of your pension.
- You should get in touch with us immediately if anything doesn’t look right. But if you’re happy with your benefit details, there’s nothing further you need to do.
- You will your pension lump sum payment (if you have requested one) and then your first monthly pension payment.
- Please be aware that the date you receive your payments depends on the payroll date of your pension fund. If you have missed the current month’s cut-off date, you may be paid the following month – but any backdated pension will be included in your first payment.
- If you have any questions about tax on your pension, please contact HMRC directly.
Frequently asked questions
For more information on planning your retirement and your pension finances, visit the LPPA HelpHub
