Pensions

The government wants firefighters and other public sector workers to pay more, work longer and still get less for our pensions. The FBU says this is daylight robbery.

FBU documents

Pensions Bulletin Number 11: Campaigning for NFPS members

Pensions Bulletin Number 10: An insult to retained firefighters

Pensions Bulletin Number 9: No to mass sackings

Pensions Bulletin Number 8: Normal Pension Age Review

Pensions Bulletin Number 7: Public Service Pensions Bill

Pensions Bulletin Number 6: “Heads of Agreement”

Pensions Bulletin Number 5: NFPS

Pensions Bulletin Number 4: Unfair/Unworkable

Pensions Bulletin Number 3: Retained

Pensions Bulletin Number 2: Officers

Pensions Bulletin Number 1: Contributions attack

The FBU has formally presented these documents to the minister responsible for fire in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales along with an initial submission Protecting good quality occupational pensions in the fire and rescue service.

FBU submission to the Public Sector Pensions Bill Committee, 6 November 2012.

FBU bulletin on tax relief.

FBU executive council position on industrial action on pensions, 24 October 2011

The FBU response to the proposed increases to employee contribution rates, effective from 1 April 2012 for the FPS and NFPS-England only, 1 December 2011
FBU Contributions Consultation response for England
Appendix A

FPS NFPS Scotland consultation response
FPS NFPS Wales consultation response
FPS NFPS Northern Ireland consultation response

FBU response to the consultation on LGPS contribution and accrual rates

Independent reports

Pension Schemes in the Fire Service and the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, an independent report by Tony Cutler and Barbara Waine.

A scoping study: Review of aging and the demands on firefighting by Richard Graveling and Joanne Crawford on behalf of the Institute of Occupational Medicine IOM.

A report on the impact of the governments’ proposal for members of the firefighters’ pension scheme and the new firefighters’ pension scheme; by Rob Hammond of First Actuarial consultants.

Fitness for Work: Estimate of the deterioration of the aerobic fitness of firefighters with age, by Richard Graveling on behalf of the Institute of Occupational Medicine IOM.

All Press Releases and Circulars on Pensions:

Firefighters put seven-point pensions plan to ministers and seek new talks - May 16, 2013
Media invitation: FBU conference, Blackpool 15-17 May - May 9, 2013
FBU pensions campaign reaching a critical stage - May 3, 2013
[225SS] Governments’ Delay Implementing The Modified Pension Scheme For RDS Firefighters - But Continue To Attack Our Pensions - April 30, 2013
Westminster government criticised over delays in pension rights for retained firefighters - April 30, 2013
Northern Ireland government criticised over delays in pension rights for retained firefighters - April 30, 2013
Scottish government criticised over delays in pension rights for retained firefighters - April 30, 2013
Welsh government criticised over delays in pension rights for retained firefighters - April 30, 2013
Pensions – write to MPs about the threat of mass dismissals - April 4, 2013
Government hits firefighters with increased pension costs again - March 26, 2013
[154MW] Pensions - Write to your MP about the threat of mass dismissals - March 19, 2013
Fairer Commutation Campaign – latest update - March 5, 2013
[108mw] Hands Off Our Pensions Campaign – Next Steps - February 13, 2013
[033MW] Further changes to Annual Allowance and Lifetime Allowance – Note outlining potential implications - January 21, 2013
[025mw] Hands Off Our Pensions – Government Releases Review Of Pension Age - January 14, 2013
Hands off our Pensions: NPA review released - January 14, 2013
Latest update on the fairer commutation campaign - November 23, 2012
FBU members pension survey 2012 - November 12, 2012
[572MW] Firefighter Pensions Update and the Challenges Ahead - October 8, 2012
[561MW] Pension Liberation Schemes – Warning to Members - October 2, 2012
[560MW] Report from ‘Research Works’ – Attitudes of Firefighters to their Pension Scheme - October 2, 2012
Commutation campaign latest – October 2012 - October 1, 2012
[518MW] Public Service Pensions Bill Published - September 14, 2012
[504SS] Simple comparison between proposals for the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and the Police Pension scheme - September 7, 2012
Control members' consultative ballot on pensions - August 1, 2012
[377MW] Pensions: Summary Of Current Position In Relation To The Attacks On The Firefighter Pension Schemes - July 6, 2012
Pensions: Response From Fire Minister to Concerns Raised by FBU - June 18, 2012
[310SS] New LGPS Proposals Released - May 31, 2012
[291SS] Further Update – Response to CLG Fire Minister on Proposed Final Agreement Document - May 29, 2012
[283AD] Pension Update - Response to CLG Fire Minister on Proposed Final Agreement - May 29, 2012
[274MW] Government Issues Proposed ‘Final Agreement’ Document - May 24, 2012
[264SS] Update On Fairer Commutation Campaign – Judicial Review - May 22, 2012
[220SS] Update on Fairer Commutation campaign - Judicial Review Date set - April 16, 2012
[220SS] Update on Fairer Commutation campaign - Judicial Review Date set - April 16, 2012
[200MW] Executive Council Statement: Pensions - March 30, 2012
[196SS] Summary of responses to the consultation on the proposed increases to employee contribution rates, effective from 1 April 2012 for England - March 30, 2012
FPS and NFPS pension contribution increases from April 2012 - March 29, 2012
[186MW] Pension contribution increases for the firefighter pension schemes for 2012-2013 - March 29, 2012
[181MW] Update on Local Government Pension Scheme - March 26, 2012
[180MW] Firefighter Pension Schemes - Latest Developments - March 26, 2012
Unions considering next steps over pension’s measure switch - March 20, 2012
[175MW] Pensions: Executive Council Adjourned - March 19, 2012
Paying for your own protection - March 12, 2012
[155AD] Part-time workers - incorrect address - March 7, 2012
[154AD] Part-time workers settlement - what to do if you have not recieved a letter regarding your offer - March 7, 2012
Fairer Commutations campaign – message from Sean Starbuck - March 7, 2012
[136AD] Part Time Workers Settlement: Main Date for Dispatch of Offer Letters: 5 March 2012 - February 29, 2012
Message from Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary on pensions - February 20, 2012
Pensions appeal hearing Monday 20th February – unions challenge government over inflation switch - February 17, 2012
FBU pensions bulletin on latest government proposals - February 15, 2012
FBU says pension proposals unacceptable, move to consult fire crews and recommend rapid move to prepare a national strike ballot - February 9, 2012
FBU Executive Council statement: pension proposals - February 9, 2012
Fire service officers will lobby MPs on pensions as they face huge rises in pension contributions – an extra £2,700 to £7,200 for the three years to 2014 alone - January 30, 2012
Fitness at work report - January 26, 2012
[062SS] Judgment in Pensionable Pay Case – Norman v Cheshire FRS - January 26, 2012
Pensions latest: Government delays and opt out concerns - January 26, 2012
[061MW] Hands off our pensions: opt out concerns - January 26, 2012
[059MW] Hand off our pensions campaign: government sets deadline then fails to comply with it - January 26, 2012
Pensions latest - new FBU bulletin - January 20, 2012
[031SS] Hands Off Our Pensions Campaign – Government Confirm Proposed Protection Arrangements - January 13, 2012
[030SS] FBU Opposes Local Government Pension Scheme: ‘Heads of Agreement’ - January 13, 2012
[026MW] Local Government Pension Scheme: FBU Concern over ‘Heads of Agreement’ - January 12, 2012
[027MW] Hands off our Pension Campaign – Access to modified pension scheme: Steps to address full access to pension rights - January 12, 2012
LGPS joint union bulletin - January 12, 2012
Pensions latest: New Year Update - January 10, 2012
[014MW] Hands Off our Pensions: New Year Update - January 10, 2012
[ 011MW] Hands Off our Pensions Campaign: Unhelpful Misinformation on Protection of Pension Rights - January 9, 2012
Pensions: Latest Position: Cost Ceilings - January 2, 2012
[645MW] Firefighter Pensions: Latest Discussions as at 21 December - December 22, 2011
[631] Pensions: Latest Position: Cost Ceilings - December 9, 2011
[629] CPI/RPI Legal Challenge: Court Case Result and Appeal - December 9, 2011
Unions to launch quick appeal against High Court ruling on pensions switch - December 2, 2011
[616MW] FBU response to the proposed increases to employee contribution rates, effective from 1 April 2012 for the FPS and NFPS (England only) - December 2, 2011
Pensions - latest consultation submissions - December 2, 2011
[610SS] The FBU response to the proposed increases to employee contribution rates, effective from 1 April 2012 for the FPS and NFPS-England only - December 1, 2011
Brentwood firefighters join TUC day of action and anti-cuts demonstration on 30 November - November 29, 2011
Can The Workers make the top 20? - November 22, 2011
FBU backs new union song "Let's work together" - November 18, 2011
[578SS] Further Evidence to Ministers’ to Support FBU Position on Normal Pension Age - November 17, 2011
Women Firefighters Lobby MPs – on Wednesday 9 November - November 8, 2011
[549MW] Hands Off Our Pensions – RPI/CPI Challenge – Post-Trial Briefing - November 8, 2011
[548SS]Hand Off Our Pensions – RPI/ CPI Challenge – Post Trial Briefing - November 4, 2011
FAQs: FBU executive council position on industrial action on pensions - October 24, 2011
High Court challenge to public sector pensions switch - October 24, 2011
Independent reports back the FBU on pensions - October 21, 2011
[517MW] Hands Off Our Pensions: Latest Position – 19 October 2011 - October 19, 2011
[508MW] Hands off Our Pensions: Delay in Setting Cost Ceilings and other Developments - October 14, 2011
Firefighter pension contribution hikes could cost taxpayer £250m - October 10, 2011
FBU pensions campaign - October 10, 2011
New independent pensions report for firefighters - September 29, 2011
Article in the Morning Star - September 16, 2011
Update on RDS Members gaining access to ‘modified’ pension scheme - September 15, 2011
Fire Brigades Union takes first step to industrial action ballot - September 14, 2011
[424SS] Comparison of Provisions of FPS, NFPS, LGPS, Modified Scheme and Hutton Proposals at a Glance - September 12, 2011
Pensions Campaign: Imposed Cost Ceilings and Possible Trade Dispute - September 9, 2011
[420MW] Hands Off Our Pensions – Opt Out Enquiries - September 9, 2011
Dangerous and ignorant right wing trash – the FBU's verdict on Reform's claim that further major fire service cuts are ‘manageable’ - September 8, 2011
[369SS] Access to modified pension scheme for Firefighters working the Retained duty system - August 15, 2011
[368SS] Fairer commutation campaign - Pension Ombudsman's response to GAD questions - August 15, 2011
Lobby your MP on pensions - August 1, 2011
[339MW] Preparations for Action on Pensions - July 28, 2011
Fire Brigades Union puts Government on notice as it steps up preparations for industrial action ballot over pensions - July 28, 2011
[302SS] RPI/CPI Judicial Review Latest - July 6, 2011
[284MW] Pensions: FBU Legal Challenge on Changes to Uprating Mechanism - June 29, 2011
YouGov poll - nearly half of firefighters will consider leaving the service if pensions proposals are pushed through - June 29, 2011
[284MW] Pensions: FBU Legal Challenge on Changes to Uprating Mechanism - June 28, 2011
[281MW] YouGov Survey on fire service pensions: government savings claim exposed - June 27, 2011
Firefighter pension changes could cost taxpayer £210 million as one in four say they will consider leaving the scheme - June 24, 2011
[279MW] Pensions Campaigning – Model Resolution - June 21, 2011
Matt Wrack on Danny Alexander’s intervention - June 20, 2011
FBU supports unions taking industrial action on 30 June - June 17, 2011
FBU conference discusses pension strike - May 19, 2011
Pensions - unions launch High Court challenge to CPI switch - May 4, 2011
New pensions calculator - May 3, 2011
[199SS] Calculator to show maximum commutation without incurring tax liabilites - April 27, 2011
[158SS] 1992 Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) – Review of commutation factors - April 1, 2011
Work longer and still get less - pensions “daylight robbery” - March 10, 2011
MPs challenge government pensions robbery - February 21, 2011
Pensions: shift from RPI to CPI threatens us all - February 20, 2011
Fairer Commutation Campaign update - January 7, 2011
Hands off our pensions - January 4, 2011
Evidence from the FBU to the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission's Call for Further Evidence - December 17, 2010
Pensions: The Latest Attacks Outlined - November 19, 2010
Comprehensive Spending Review: War on the Fire Service - October 28, 2010
Restricting Pension Tax Relief – Through Existing Allowances - October 14, 2010
Hutton Report on Public Sector Pensions: Work Longer; Pay More; Get Less - October 8, 2010
Hutton proposals for firefighter pensions are just a step too far - October 6, 2010
Important News on Proposed Changes to Pensions Tax Relief - August 26, 2010
Retained Firefighters: Pension Settlement Update - May 7, 2010
Report of Issues Discussed at 34th Firefighters’ Pension Committee held on 15th March 2010 - March 22, 2010
Fairer Commutation Campaign – Grievance to Pension Ombudsman Update - March 9, 2010
Implications for Re-employment of FPS Pensioners from April 6th 2010 - March 9, 2010
Model form for Application to Pension Ombudsman - February 17, 2010
FBU Fairer Commutation Campaign – Next Steps - January 4, 2010
Firefighters Pension Scheme 1992 – Commutation Factors - September 7, 2009
Victory at Last – FBU Success in Appeal Court Over Ill-Health Pensions - April 6, 2009
Judicial Review – Effective Date of Changed Police Pension Commutation Factors - March 19, 2009
Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 – Commutation Grievance - December 22, 2008
Model grievance letters for firefighters’ pension scheme 1992 members affected by the recent commutation factor amendments - September 9, 2008
Challenge to implementation date for commutation factors applying to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 via the Pension Ombudsman - August 22, 2008
Commutation factors applicable to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme - August 15, 2008
Commutation factors used in the firefighters pension scheme (FPS) - July 14, 2008
Tax laws affecting retirement age from April 2010 and protection rights - July 4, 2008
Firefighters’ Pension Schemes Commutation Factors - May 30, 2008
Justice for Firefighters pensions - update - May 16, 2008
Justice for Firefighters pensions - Revisions to CLG guidance - May 16, 2008
Justice for Firefighters Pensions - A Possibility of Progress - January 29, 2008

Download the above collection of pages from Firefighter magazine

The government is attacking firefighters’ pensions. It wants firefighters to pay more, work for longer and still end up with less at retirement.This bulletin explains the FBU’s assessment and what union members can do to campaign against these changes.

This is the FBU’s submission to the Hutton commission’s call for further evidence.

Update on the Fairer Commutation campaign is here.

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