How does the firefighter pension work?

The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS) 2015 is a career average (CARE) defined benefit scheme. You build up 1/59.7th of your pensionable pay each year. The pension is payable from age 60 (one of the lowest normal pension ages for public sector schemes). You also get the option to exchange some pension for a tax-free lump sum. Employee contributions range from 11% to 14.5% of pay.

What age can firefighters retire on full pension?

Under FPS 2015, the normal pension age is 60. Under the older FPS 1992 scheme, firefighters could retire at 50 (with 25+ years' service) or 55. FPS 2006 members had a normal pension age of 60. If you have service in both old and new schemes, your benefits from each are calculated separately.

How much do firefighters contribute to their pension?

Contributions are tiered based on salary. Under FPS 2015, rates range from 11% for those earning up to around £28,000 to 14.5% for those earning over £163,000. For most firefighters, the effective rate is between 12% and 13.5%. These are among the highest contribution rates in the public sector.

Is the firefighter pension good?

Yes — it's one of the best pensions available. Despite higher contribution rates, it provides a guaranteed income for life, indexed to inflation, with a normal pension age of 60 (lower than most public sector schemes). The employer contribution is around 28%, meaning for every £1 you put in, the employer puts in about £2. It also includes generous ill-health and death benefits.

Firefighter Pension Scheme Guide UK — Benefits, Contributions, and Retirement | PocketWise

The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme is one of the most valuable pension arrangements in the UK public sector, with a retirement age of 60 and generous benefits. This guide explains how it works.

The Scheme Types

Scheme	Period	Type	Normal pension age
FPS 1992	Pre-April 2006	Final salary	50 (25+ years) or 55
FPS 2006	April 2006 – March 2015	Final salary	60
FPS 2015	April 2015 onwards	Career average (CARE)	60

Most firefighters are now in FPS 2015. If you joined before 2015, your earlier service is protected in the previous scheme, but new accruals are in FPS 2015 (following the McCloud remedy).

FPS 2015 — The Current Scheme

Feature	Detail
Type	Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)
Accrual rate	1/59.7th of pensionable pay per year
Normal pension age	60
Revaluation	CPI (Consumer Price Index)
Lump sum	Optional — commute pension for lump sum (not automatic)
Index-linking in retirement	CPI — pension increases each year

How the Pension Builds Up

Year	Salary	Pension accrued that year	Approximate cumulative pension
1	£34,000	£570	£570
5	£36,000	£603	~£3,000
10	£38,000	£637	~£6,400
20	£42,000	£704	~£14,000
30	£46,000	£771	~£22,500

Cumulative figures are simplified and don’t include CPI revaluation of earlier years, which would increase them.

Contribution Rates (FPS 2015)

Pensionable pay	Contribution rate
Up to £28,000	11.0%
£28,001 – £52,000	12.9%
£52,001 – £92,000	13.5%
£92,001 – £163,000	14.5%
Over £163,000	14.5%

Thresholds are subject to review. Most firefighters fall in the 12.9% band.

Is It Worth the High Contributions?

What you put in	What the employer puts in	Total
~12.9%	~28.8%	~41.7%

For every £1 you contribute, the employer contributes roughly £2.20. This is employer-funded benefit that you can’t replicate in a private pension.

FPS 1992 (Closed Scheme)

Feature	Detail
Accrual rate	1/60th per year
Basis	Final salary
Retirement age	50 (with 25+ years) or 55
Maximum pension	40/60ths (2/3rds) of final salary
Automatic lump sum	Yes — in addition to pension
Commutation	Can exchange pension for additional lump sum

FPS 2006 (Closed Scheme)

Feature	Detail
Accrual rate	1/60th per year
Basis	Final salary
Retirement age	60
Lump sum	Optional commutation (no automatic lump sum)

Comparing the Three Schemes

Feature	FPS 1992	FPS 2006	FPS 2015
Accrual rate	1/60th	1/60th	1/59.7th
Basis	Final salary	Final salary	Career average
Normal pension age	50-55	60	60
Contribution rate	11%	8.5%-12.5%	11%-14.5%
Lump sum	Automatic	Optional	Optional
Revaluation	N/A (final salary)	N/A (final salary)	CPI

McCloud Remedy

Detail	Explanation
What happened	Members close to retirement in 2015 were given transitional protection (stayed in old scheme); younger members were moved to FPS 2015
Why it was a problem	Age discrimination — younger members in a less favourable scheme
The remedy	All service between 2015 and 2022 is treated as if it was in the legacy scheme, with a choice at retirement
Who’s affected	Members who were in service on both 31 March 2012 and 1 April 2015
What to do	You’ll be given a choice — legacy or reformed scheme benefits for 2015-2022 service

Additional Benefits

Death in Service

Benefit	Amount
Lump sum	3 × pensionable pay
Survivor’s pension	Approximately 50% of your pension entitlement
Children’s pension	Payable to eligible children

Ill-Health Retirement

Tier	Condition	Benefit
Tier 1	Permanently unable to be a firefighter	Accrued pension (no enhancement)
Tier 2	Unable to do any regular employment	Accrued pension + enhancement to normal pension age

Injury Award

If your ill-health is caused by your service, you may receive an additional injury award on top of ill-health retirement benefits.

Tax Considerations

Issue	Detail
Annual Allowance	£60,000 — pension growth counts. Promotions or pay rises can trigger a tax charge
Annual Allowance charges	If your pension grows by more than £60,000 in a year (including employer contributions)
Scheme Pays	The pension scheme can pay any Annual Allowance charge on your behalf (deducted from your pension)
Tax-free lump sum	Up to 25% of your pension value can be taken as a tax-free lump sum
Income tax	Pension income is taxed as earned income through PAYE

Tips for Firefighters

Check your annual benefit statement — understand what you’re building up
Understand the McCloud remedy choice — if affected, carefully compare legacy vs reformed scheme benefits
Watch for Annual Allowance issues — especially around promotions
Consider AVCs — Additional Voluntary Contributions for extra tax-efficient savings
Plan the gap — if retiring at 60, your State Pension doesn’t start until 67-68
Nominate your beneficiaries — ensure your expression of wish form is up to date
Get advice before retirement — free guidance from the Fire Brigades Union or an independent financial adviser

Useful Contacts

Organisation	Role
Your Fire and Rescue Service pension team	Manages your pension
Fire Brigades Union (FBU)	Pension guidance and advocacy
Local Government Association	FPS scheme advisory board
MoneyHelper	Free pensions guidance

Summary

Feature	FPS 2015
Accrual rate	1/59.7th per year
Pension age	60
Contribution	11%–14.5%
Employer contribution	~28.8%
Final salary or career average	Career average
Lump sum	Optional commutation
Death in service	3× pay + survivor’s pension
Ill-health	Tiered benefits