Dear Brother / Sister
Important information about further FBU pension claims
As you know, the FBU won a significant victory on pension provision for members who were discriminated against on the grounds of their age.
This means that affected members are eligible to be treated as if they are still members of their previous pension scheme (or, in the case of 2006 NFPS members, to give them an opportunity to join the 2015 Scheme if that is a better option for them) until a longer term remedy is found. Discussion on this is still ongoing, and members will be given further updates as the situation develops.
In the meantime, the FBU is looking at potential claims relating to reimbursement of any out-of-pocket losses members may have suffered as a result of the changes made in 2015. We are also looking at a potential claim to compensate members for the distress, upset and anger – described by lawyers as “injury to feelings” – that may have been caused.
I submitted a claim in 2015 what do I do?
If you filled in the questionnaire in 2015, we have already started this process on your behalf. However, some members may wish to make us aware of any particular circumstances that we need to put forward on their behalf.
Members can do this by visiting the FBU website www.fbu.org.uk and following the relevant link which explains the issue in more detail and includes a form that to submit if you have any information you wish us to be aware of.
Please note for it to be considered you must submit this information before 31 May 2020.
I didn’t fill in a claim form in 2015 – what can I do?
Some members of the FPS, NFPS, LGPS and RDS Modified schemes did not complete the questionnaire when it was available for a limited time on the FBU website in 2015. We have decided to reopen the questionnaire for anyone who did not fill it in then.
One reason for reopening the process is that it is possible to claim compensation for injury to feelings and to claim compensation for out-of-pocket losses caused by the 2014/2015 changes. Compensation can only be claimed by someone who has formally filed a Tribunal claim, and we want to give all members another opportunity to do so.
If you did not, or are not sure if you did, you should visit the FBU website www.fbu.org.uk and follow the link for new claims. This will give a more detailed explanation of the issue and provide a further link to a questionnaire which is the process for registering a new claim. Please note that to complete this questionnaire you will need to enter your FBU membership number.
Please make sure that you read the explanation before you fill in the questionnaire and note the questionnaire must be completed before 30 June 2020 to enable us to file all the new claims.
Please note that the questionnaires are slightly different for the firefighters’ pension schemes and the LGPS so there are two separate links for new claims on the website. It is important that you follow the route applicable to your pension scheme.
Members will receive updates on this issue as more information is available.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
General Secretary
Circular ref
2020HOC0306MW
