The FBU welcomes the consultation document for the Retained Firefighters’ Pension Settlement that was issued on 23 July 2013.
This document sets out the proposals for the ‘Modified’ scheme which is available to retained firefighters who were employed by FRA’s between 1 July 2000 and 5 April 2006, and outlines the proposed new terms that were negotiated by the FBU and the Department for Communities and Local Government over a period following our successful legal challenge.
The consultation runs from 23 July 2013 until 3 September 2013, which will be followed by the laying of the necessary legislation.
The introduction to the document clearly identifies that this is an agreement that was negotiated by the FBU for eligible retained firefighters. The terms of arrangements confirm the uniform accrual rate of 1/45ths, an NPA of 55, commutation factors that mirror the 1992 FPS on the day the legislation is introduced and contribution rates that will reflect those of the 1992 FPS.
It is important that you make retained members fully aware of the benefits of the scheme and also the ways in which they can pay their backdated contributions. The repayment options were agreed between the FBU and CLG following a series of meetings and should make it significantly easier and more affordable for retained members to join.
Retained members will immediately see the value of this scheme but it is vital that you emphasise that even before it is formally introduced it is being attacked by the government’s pension proposals in exactly the same way that the 1992 and 2006 schemes are. Retained members should recognise that this is now another firefighter pension scheme that the FBU is trying to defend and must be reminded of the importance of supporting the ballot.
A more detailed circular will be prepared and the FBU is planning to provide further assistance and advice to members in the near future.
