Welcome to the website for the Firefighters' Pensions (England) Scheme Advisory Board.
The site holds information about the work of the Board and its three committees, as well as useful information and resources for Local Pension Boards.
If you have any comments about the site, please contact the Board secretariat at [email protected]
Latest news
31 May 2023
FPS Bulletin 69 - May 2023 was published on 31 May 2023.
This issue contains important information about the consultation on The Public Service Pension Schemes (Rectification of Unlawful Discrimination) (Tax) (No.2) Regulations 2023, updated data scoring guidance, IQMP template referral letters, updated GAD factors and a Scheme Advisory Board note on pensionable pay remedies.
28 April 2023
FPS Bulletin 68 - April 2023 was published on 28 April 2023.
This issue contains important information about the Revised commutation on retirement factors, proposed changes to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) 2006 , Revised commutation factors, Annual Benefit Statement templates and a number of other communication items.
3 April 2023
On 3 April 2023, the Government Actuaries Department published revised Commutation on retirement factors following the announcement of the revised SCAPE discount rate on 30 March 2023. The revised factors only apply to the 1992 Firefighters Pension Scheme and are to be applied with immediate effect.
31 March 2023
On 31 March 2023, the Home Office launched their formal consultation on Retained Firefighters' Pensions: Proposed Changes to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) 2006
This consultation focuses on the government’s commitment to provide further remedy to those individuals who were employed as retained firefighters between 7 April 2000 and 5 April 2006 inclusive by providing access to the modified section of Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 (referred to as ‘the modified scheme’). It contains the proposed amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) Order 2006 and the Firemen’s Pension Scheme Order 1992 to achieve this outcome. This consultation document seeks views on proposals for achieving this outcome, and whether the proposed amendments achieve this policy intention for all eligible individuals.
The consultation will close on 9 June 2023.
31 March 2023
FPS Bulletin 67 - March 2023 was published on 31 March.
This issue contains important information about the Firefighters' Pension Schemes (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023, the SCAPE Discount Rate methodology consultation response and the FPS annual update 2023. Additionally it contains a farewell message from Claire Hey.
10 March 2023
On 10 March 2023, the High Court ruled that HM Treasury's decision to include the McCloud/ Sargeant remedy in the cost cap mechanism was not unlawful. The judge ruled in favour of HM Treasury on all grounds. The judge also refused permission to appeal, but the FBU and other parties are able to apply for permission to appeal directly to the Court of Appeal.
2 March 2023
On 2 March 2023 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issued a written ministerial statement announcing a reset of the Pensions Dashboard Programme (PDP) which will extend the delivery of pensions dashboards.
In the statement, the UK Government announced its intention to legislate to amend schemes’ connection deadlines, to provide PDP the time required to develop the necessary digital architecture. Guidance will be updated shortly to reflect the announcement and provide further clarity on the steps schemes should be taking to continue to prepare for the dashboard.
28 February 2023
On 28 February 2023 the Home Office launched a consultation on the Firefighters' Pension Scheme retrospective remedy on the amendments to the pension scheme regulations to enact the second phase of remedy in the McCloud/ Sargeant cases.
The consultation documents set out the background to the second, retrospective, part of the remedy and an explanation of legislative and policy changes required to implement it. The consultation seeks responses from interested parties on the amendments to the regulations needed to enact the second phase of the remedy, as set out in the PSPJOA 2022. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 23 May 2023
28 February 2023
FPS Bulletin 66 - February 2023 was published on 28 February.
This issue contains information about a new webpage on the FPS Member website, data collection for the 2015 remedy, confirmation of contribution bandings for 2023-24 and a Matthews pre-work factsheet for FRAs.
31 January 2023
FPS Bulletin 65 - January 2023 was published on 31 January.
The first issue of the new year contains information on a variety of topics including confirmation that the ill-health reassessment factsheet has been updated, details of template member consent letters for ill-health reassessment and information to help resolve queries regarding potential industrial action.