The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

• (2) The amount of retirement earned pension is the sum of—

• (a) the amount of the accrued earned pension calculated under regulation 32(3) (calculation of amount of accrued pension for purpose of deferment or retirement) (“accrued amount”);

• (b) the retirement index adjustment for the accrued amount; and

• (c) the assumed age addition (if any) for the accrued amount.

• (3) The amount of any retirement added pension is the sum of—

• (a) the amount of the accrued added pension calculated under regulation 32(4) (calculation of amount of accrued pension for purpose of deferment or retirement);

• (b) the retirement PIA index adjustment for the accrued added pension; and

• (c) the assumed age addition (if any) for the accrued added pension.

• (3A) Where the active member is entitled to an equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension or to an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension, the retirement account must specify that amount.

• (4) For the amount of retirement earned pension and the amount of retirement added pension, the retirement account must specify—

• (a) the commutation amount (if any); and

• (b) the total allocation amount (if any).

• (4A) For an equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension or an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension, the retirement account must specify any commutation amount.

• (5) The assumed age addition applies in relation to a member who reaches normal pension age under this scheme at least one month before the last day of pensionable service.

CHAPTER 9 — Pension accounts for survivor members

Establishment of survivor member's account

61

• (1) The scheme manager must establish a pension account for each person who is entitled to a pension under this scheme as a surviving partner or eligible child following the death of an active member, deferred member or pensioner member.

• (2) The scheme manager must—

• (a) close the active member's account or the deferred member's account or the retirement account (as the case maybe) and the added pension account (if any); and

• (b) establish a pension account for each survivor member.

• (3) For the purpose of these Regulations—

• (a) a person entitled to a pension in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1) is called a survivor member; and

• (b) an account established under paragraph (2)(b) is called a survivor member's account.

Amount of pension payable to survivor member

62

The survivor member's account must be credited with an amount equal to the annual rate of pension payable to the survivor member calculated in accordance with the appropriate regulation in Chapter 2 (pensions for surviving partners) or Chapter 3 (pensions for eligible children) of Part 6 (death benefits), as the case may be, which confers the pension on the survivor member.

CHAPTER 10 — Pension accounts for pension credit members

Establishment of pension credit member's account

63

• (1) The scheme manager must establish a pension account for each pension credit member of this scheme.

• (2) If a pension credit member has more than one pension credit derived from two or more pension debit members, the scheme manager must establish a pension credit member's account in relation to each pension debit member.

• (3) The pension credit member's account must specify the amount of credited pension, and for that amount, the commutation amount (if any).

• (4) On the establishment of the pension credit member's account, the accounts established under this Part for the pension debit member must be reduced by the relevant amount.

• (5) For the purpose of these Regulations, an account established for a pension credit member under paragraph (1) is called a pension credit member's account.

• (6) In this regulation—

• “amount of credited pension” means an amount equal to the pension credit calculated in accordance with regulations made under paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 5 (pension credits: mode of discharge) to the 1999 Order;

• “relevant amount” is the amount that the scheme manager, after consultation with the scheme actuary, considers appropriate having regard to—the cash equivalent that would have been payable under Chapter 2 (transfer values) of Part 4A (requirements relating to pension credit benefit) of the Pension Schemes Act in respect of the pension credit member's right to benefits under this scheme attributable (directly or indirectly) to the pension credit; andthe provisions of Articles 26 (creation of pension credits and debits) and 28 (reduction of benefit) of the 1999 Order.

Other pension accounts

64

If a pension credit member of this scheme is also an active member, deferred member, pensioner member or survivor member of this scheme, the scheme manager must establish a pension credit member's account in addition to any other account established for the member under this Part.

PART 5 — Retirement benefits

CHAPTER 1 — Interpretation

Application of Part

65

This Part applies in relation to retirement benefits payable in respect of a continuous period of pensionable service under this scheme.

Qualifying service

66

• (1) In these Regulations, “qualifying service” in relation to a member's pension account, means the total of—

• (a) any pensionable service under this scheme in relation to the same pension account;

• (b) if a transfer value payment has been accepted under Part 10 (transfers) in respect of a member's accrued rights under another occupational pension scheme, the member's period of pensionable service under that scheme; and

• (c) for a transition member with continuity of service, subject to paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5), the member's pensionable service reckonable under article 45 (reckoning of and certificates as to pensionable service) of the FPS (if any) and the member's qualifying service under the NFPS (if any).

• (2) Where a transition member has more than one active member's account, and was a member of the FPS, the pensionable service reckonable under article 45 of the FPS must be added to the pensionable service for the active member's account in respect of which the scheme employment is the most similar to the employment which was pensionable under the FPS.

• (3) Where a transition member has more active member's accounts than the number of contracts of employment in respect of which that member was a member of the NFPS, the qualifying service under the NFPS must be added to the pensionable service for the active member's account in respect of which the scheme employment is most similar to the employment which was pensionable under the NFPS.

• (4) Where a transition member was a member of the FPS and the NFPS or had two or more contracts of employment in respect of which that member was a member of the NFPS, the pensionable service reckonable under article 45 of the FPS or the qualifying service under the NFPS, as the case may be, must be added to the pensionable service for the active member's account in respect of which the scheme employment is most similar to the employment which was pensionable under the FPS or the NFPS.

• (5) If the scheme manager is not certain which service pensionable under the FPS or qualifying service under the NFPS is the most similar to the scheme employment for a particular pension account, the member may decide which pensionable service under the FPS or qualifying service under the NFPS is to be added to the pensionable service in relation to a member's pension account and notify the scheme manager by written notice, in a form required by the scheme manager.

• (6) None of the following counts as qualifying service—

• (a) any pensionable service under this scheme in respect of which a person's rights under this scheme are extinguished;

• (b) any pensionable service under the FPS or the NFPS in respect of which a person's rights under that scheme are extinguished;

• (c) any unauthorised absence from scheme employment.

CHAPTER 2 — Retirement benefits

Entitlement to retirement pension

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• (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a member of this scheme (P) is entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement earned pension under this scheme if—

• (a) P—

• (i) has reached the age of 55,

• (ii) has at least three months qualifying service,

• (iii) has claimed payment of a retirement pension,

• (iv) is no longer employed in a scheme employment and so is not entitled to be an active member of this scheme; or

• (b) P has exercised the partial retirement option.

• (2) Where a member is entitled to an ill-health award, the requirement in paragraph (1)(a)(i) does not apply to that member.

• (3) On becoming entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement earned pension, P is entitled to immediate payment of a retirement added pension if P had an added pension account in this scheme before becoming so entitled.

• (4) The claim for payment of a retirement pension must be made by notice to the scheme manager in a form required by the scheme manager and must be given before the date on which the first payment of the retirement pension is paid.

Annual rate of retirement pension (active members)

68

• (1) This regulation applies when an active member of this scheme becomes entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement pension.

• (2) The annual rate of a retirement pension payable on the day following the last day of pensionable service to a member to whom this regulation applies is calculated by adding the total of paragraphs (a), (b), (ba) and (c) —

• (a) the sum of—

• (i) the amount of retirement earned pension specified in the member's retirement account,

• (ii) subtracting the commutation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount,

• (iii) subtracting the total allocation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount; and

• (b) the sum of—

• (i) the amount of retirement added pension (if any) specified in the member's retirement account,

• (ii) subtracting the commutation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount,

• (iii) subtracting the total allocation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount; and

• (ba) the sum of—

• (i) the equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension (if any) or the equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension (if any) specified in the member’s retirement account,

• (ii) subtracting the commutation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount; and

• (c) the amount of the higher tier ill-health pension (if any) awarded to the member under regulation 73(2) (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension).

Annual rate of retirement pension (deferred members)

69

• (1) This regulation applies when a deferred member of this scheme becomes entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement pension.

• (2) The annual rate of a retirement pension payable to a member to whom this regulation applies is calculated by subtracting from the retirement amount of deferred pension specified in the deferred member's account—

• (aa) the early payment reduction (if any), specified in that account in relation to that amount;

• (a) the commutation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount;

• (b) the total allocation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount.

Employer initiated retirement

70

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CHAPTER 3 — Partial retirement benefits

Exercise of partial retirement option

71

• (1) This regulation applies to an active member of this scheme (P) in relation to a continuous period of pensionable service who—

• (a) is aged at least 55; and

• (b) would be entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement pension in relation to that period of service if P left pensionable service and claimed payment of the pension.

• (2) P may opt to continue in pensionable service under this scheme but claim payment of the whole of P's accrued pension in relation to the pensionable service rendered before the exercise of the partial retirement option.

• (3) Where P has more than one active member's account, the partial retirement option may be exercised in respect of some or all of P's active member's accounts.

• (4) The partial retirement option may only be exercised by notice to the scheme manager (“option notice”) in a form required by the scheme manager and must be given before the date on which the first payment of the retirement pension is claimed.

• (5) For the purpose of these Regulations, the partial retirement option is taken to be exercised on such date as the member and the scheme manager agree.

• (6) An option notice must specify that P claims the whole of P's pension accrued in respect of P's active member's account in respect of the earlier service of that scheme employment.

Annual rate of retirement pension after exercise of partial retirement option

72

• (1) An active member of this scheme (P) who exercises the partial retirement option is entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement pension.

• (2) The annual rate of a retirement pension is calculated under regulation 68 (annual rate of retirement pension (active members)) by reference to the amount of that description of retirement earned pension and retirement added pension (if any) specified in the member's retirement account.

• (3) For the purposes of this Part, where a member exercises the partial retirement option that member's last day of pensionable service in relation to the pensionable service in respect of which the partial retirement option is exercised is the day on which the member exercised the partial retirement option.

CHAPTER 4 — Ill-health benefits

Entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension

73

• (1) An active member who has not reached normal pension age of 55 is entitled to immediate payment of a lower tier ill-health pension if the following conditions are met—

• (a) in the opinion of the IQMP the member is incapable of performing any duties of the role in which the member was last employed because of incapacity of mind or body and this incapacity will continue until normal pension age;

• (b) the member has three months of qualifying service;

• (c) consequent on the incapacity in sub-paragraph (a), the member has been dismissed or retired from scheme employment; and

• (d) the scheme manager has determined that the member is entitled to a lower tier ill-health pension.

• (2) An active member is entitled to immediate payment of a higher tier ill-health pension in addition to the lower tier ill-health pension if the following conditions are met—

• (a) in the opinion of the IQMP the member is incapable of undertaking regular employment because of incapacity of mind or body and this incapacity will continue until normal pension age;

• (b) the member has at least five years of qualifying service;

• (c) the member is entitled to a lower tier ill-health pension; and

• (d) the scheme manager has determined that the member is entitled to a higher tier ill-health pension.

• (2A) This paragraph applies where—

• (a) the Board has decided to obtain the written opinion of an IQMP under article 65 (determination by the Board) of the FPS concerning whether a member of that Scheme is permanently disabled or able to undertake regular employment before making a determination as to whether the member is entitled to an ill-health award under article 15 (ill health awards) of the FPS; and

• (b) the determination has not been made before 1st April 2022.

• (3) In these Regulations, an ill-health award means the entitlement to the payment of a lower tier ill-health pension, and in cases where the member is also entitled to a higher tier ill-health pension, the payment of a higher tier ill-health pension.

• (4) Where an active member (A) is entitled to a lower tier ill-health pension and paragraph 22 (transition member who has not reached normal pension age under the NFPS) or paragraph 24 (transition member who has not reached normal pension age under the FPS) of Schedule 2 applies in relation to A—

• (a) if paragraph 22 applies in relation to A, A is also entitled to an amount equivalent to the annual amount of a lower tier ill-health pension that would, if the member were entitled to payment of a lower tier ill-health pension under article 12(2) of the NFPS, be payable to the member under the NFPS;

• (b) if paragraph 24 applies in relation to A, A is also entitled to an amount equivalent to the annual amount of a lower tier ill-health pension that would, if the member were entitled to payment of a lower tier ill-health pension under article 15 (ill-health awards) of the FPS, be payable to the member under the FPS.

• (5) In these Regulations—

• (a) the amount equivalent to the annual amount of a lower tier ill-health pension in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (4) is referred to as the “equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension”;

• (b) the amount equivalent to the annual amount of a lower tier ill-health pension in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (4) is referred to as the “equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension”.

Annual rate of ill-health awards

74

• (1) The annual rate of a lower tier ill-health pension and of a higher tier ill-health pension is calculated as follows.

• (2) The annual rate of a lower tier ill-health pension is calculated in accordance with paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) of regulation 68 (annual rate of retirement pension (active members)).

• (3) The annual rate of a higher tier ill-health pension is calculated by multiplying the annual amount of the adjusted lower tier ill-health pension by the member's assumed period of pensionable service and by 2%.

• (3A) In the case of a member who is entitled to an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension or to an equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension, the adjusted lower tier ill-health pension includes the adjusted equivalent amount.

• (4) In this regulation—

• “the adjusted lower tier ill-health pension” means the lower tier ill-health pension payable under paragraph (2) calculated—excluding an amount equal to the amount of any added pension which had been included in the calculation of the lower tier ill-health pension, andwithout the deduction for any commuted portion of the pension;

• “the adjusted equivalent amount” means—in the case of a member who is entitled to an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension, that amount calculated—excluding from the calculation the amount of any additional period of service purchased under Part 11 of the NFPS, andwithout the deduction of any commuted portion;in the case of a member who is entitled to the equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension, that amount calculated without the deduction of any commuted portion.

• “the member's assumed period of pensionable service” means the period expressed in years—beginning with the day after the member's continuous period of pensionable service ceased, andending with the day before the day on which the member will reach normal pension age.

Early payment of retirement pension to deferred member

75

A deferred member who has not reached deferred pension age is entitled to immediate payment of a retirement pension calculated under regulation 69 (annual rate of retirement pension (deferred members)) without subtracting the early payment reduction if the following conditions are satisfied—

• (a) the member has given written notice requesting payment of the pension before deferred pension age to the scheme manager;

• (b) in the opinion of the IQMP the member is incapable of undertaking regular employment because of infirmity of mind or body and this incapacity will continue until deferred pension age; and

• (c) the scheme manager has determined that the member is entitled to the early payment of the pension.

Review of ill-health award or early payment of pension of retirement pension

76

• (1) Where a member (P) has been in receipt of an ill-health award under regulation 73 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) for less than 10 years, and is under deferred pension age, the scheme manager must consider, at such intervals as it considers appropriate, whether P has become capable—

• (a) of performing any duty appropriate to the role from which P retired on grounds of ill-health, and

• (b) of undertaking regular employment.

• (2) The scheme manager must consider, at such intervals as it considers appropriate before the member reaches deferred pension age, in relation to a pensioner member who was a deferred member and whose pension is being paid early by virtue of regulation 75 (early payment of retirement pension to deferred member), whether the member has become capable of undertaking regular employment.

Consequences of review

77

• (1) If, on such consideration as is mentioned in regulation 76(1) (review of ill-health award or early payment of retirement pension), the scheme manager determines that a member (H) who is in receipt of a higher tier ill-health pension has become capable of undertaking regular employment, H's entitlement to that pension must cease with immediate effect.

• (2) Subject to paragraph (3), a lower tier ill-health pension must continue to be paid to a member who ceases to be entitled to a higher tier ill-health pension.

• (3) If—

• (a) on such consideration as is mentioned in regulation 76(1) (review of ill-health award or early payment of retirement pension), the scheme manager determines that a member (L) who is in receipt of a lower tier ill-health pension has become capable of performing the duties appropriate to the role from which L retired on grounds of ill-health; and

• (b) the Board makes L an offer of employment in that role (“a paragraph (3)(b) offer”),

L's entitlement to a lower tier ill-health pension must cease whether L accepts or declines the offer.

• (4) The Board must by written notice when making a paragraph (3)(b) offer specify a date by which, if the member has not accepted the offer, the member will be taken to have declined it.

• (5) A lower tier ill-health pension ceases to be payable on the earlier of the following dates—

• (a) the date on which a member re-enters scheme employment pursuant to a paragraph (3)(b) offer; or

• (b) such date after the paragraph (3)(b) offer is made as the employer specifies by notice under paragraph (4).

• (6) Where a member declines a paragraph (3)(b) offer, a deferred member's account must be established under regulation 57 (account established after ill-health award ceases to be payable) from the date on which that member's ill-health award ceases to be payable in accordance with paragraph (5).

• (6A) Where L is entitled to an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension or to an equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension, paragraphs (3) and (5) apply as if the reference to “lower tier ill-health pension” included an equivalent amount to the NFPS lower tier ill-health pension or an equivalent amount to the FPS lower tier ill-health pension, as the case may be.

• (7) If, on such consideration as is mentioned in regulation 76(2) (review of ill-health award or early payment of retirement pension), the scheme manager has obtained the IQMP's opinion which states that a deferred member (P) whose deferred pension is being paid early has become capable of undertaking regular employment, P's entitlement to early payment of the pension must cease with immediate effect and P's deferred member's account must be adjusted under regulation 56 (adjustment of account after early payment of deferred pension ceases).

CHAPTER 5 — Payment of retirement benefits

Commencement of pensions

78

• (1) The first period for which any retirement pension which is payable immediately on a member leaving scheme employment, begins with the day after the date on which the employment ends where the member has made a claim for payment of that pension before that date.

• (2) Where an active member has not claimed payment of the retirement pension before the date on which that member retires, the pension will be payable from a date after the claim is made as notified to the member by the scheme manager.

• (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (4) In the case of an active member who to exercises the partial retirement option, the first period for which any retirement pension is payable begins on the date after the date on which the partial retirement option is exercised.

• (5) In the case of a deferred member, the first period for which payment of a retirement pension is to be payable begins on the date on which the member attains deferred pension age where a deferred member has claimed payment of a retirement pension unless that member gives written notice to the scheme manager before the member reaches deferred pension age—

• (a) requesting to defer payment by notice given to the scheme manager more than three months before the member reaches deferred pension age and any such deferral must not extend beyond the day before the member's 75th birthday; or

• (b) requesting payment of the full retirement pension before deferred pension age after the deduction of the early payment reduction; or

• (c) requesting the early payment of the retirement pension under regulation 75 (early payment of retirement pension to deferred member) on grounds of incapacity to undertake regular employment.

• (6) Where an active member is entitled to a lower tier ill-health pension or a higher tier ill-health pension under regulation 73 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) the first period for which a retirement pension is payable is the day after the date on which the member scheme employment is terminated.

• (7) Where a deferred member has made a request referred to in paragraph (5)(c) and is entitled to the early payment of a retirement pension, the first period for which the pension is payable begins on the date on which the deferred member became incapable of undertaking regular employment because of infirmity of body or mind, or if that date cannot be ascertained, from the date of the member's request to the scheme manager for early payment.

• (8) Where a deferred member has made a request referred to in paragraph (5)(a) or (b), the pension will be payable from a date after the claim for it is made which is notified to the member by the scheme manager.

Option to commute part of pension

79

• (1) A member who becomes entitled to the immediate payment of a retirement pension may opt under this regulation to exchange part of the pension for a lump sum.

• (2) The option may only be exercised—

• (a) by written notice to the scheme manager which sets out the amount to be commuted; and

• (b) before the first payment of the pension is made.

• (3) If a member exercises the option, for every £1 by which the amount of the member's annual rate of pension is reduced, the member must be paid a lump sum of £12.

• (4) A member may not exchange for a lump sum more than the lesser of—

• (a) 25% of the pension ...under this regulation; or

• (b) the proportion of the pension to the extent that it would result in a scheme chargeable payment for the purposes of Part 4 of the 2004 Act.

• (5) This regulation does not apply to a pension derived from pension credit rights if the pension debit member from whose rights the pension is derived has received a lump sum under this regulation before the date on which the pension sharing order takes effect.

• (6) This regulation does not apply to a higher tier ill-health pension.

CHAPTER 6 — Allocation of part of pension

Allocation election

80

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to a retirement earned pension payable in respect of a member's pensionable service under this scheme.

• (2) An active member or deferred member may elect to allocate up to a third of the amount of the annual rate of any of the member's retirement pensions under this scheme to a beneficiary (“allocation election”).

• (3) The beneficiary of an allocation election must be a person who, when the allocation election is made is—

• (a) the spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner of the active member or the deferred member; or

• (b) with the consent of the scheme manager, any other person who is substantially dependent on the active member or deferred member and would have been a dependant of the member for the purposes of paragraph 15(2) or (3) of Schedule 28 to the 2004 Act if the member had died when the election was made.

• (4) The scheme manager may withhold consent under paragraph (3)(b) if the scheme manager is not satisfied that the person is substantially dependent on the active member or deferred member.

• (5) If a member wishes to allocate pension to more than one beneficiary, a separate election must be made in respect of each beneficiary.

• (6) Where more than one portion of a particular pension is allocated, the total of the allocated portions of that pension must not exceed the portion of that pension retained by the active or deferred member.

• (7) If paragraph (8) applies, the member may elect to allocate only so much of the pension (after subtracting the commutation amount, if any) that exceeds the guaranteed minimum, multiplied by such factor as is indicated for a person of the member's description in tables provided by the scheme manager having regard to actuarial guidance.

• (8) This paragraph applies if the member has a guaranteed minimum under section 10 (earner's guaranteed minimum) of the Pension Schemes Act in relation to the whole or part of a pension as a result of receipt by this scheme of a transfer payment from another pension scheme in respect of which the member had such a guaranteed minimum.

Making an allocation election

81

• (1) When an active or deferred member intends to make an allocation election, that member must—

• (a) satisfy the scheme manager that that member is in good health and has a normal life expectancy; and

• (b) give the scheme manager written notice of an allocation election specifying—

• (i) the portion,

• (ii) the name and address of the beneficiary,

• (iii) the sex of the beneficiary, and

• (iv) the date of birth of the beneficiary.

• (2) The notice of allocation, which may be sent by post, must be given not earlier than two months before the pension comes into payment.

• (3) Where the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) have been satisfied, the scheme manager must notify the member that it has accepted the allocation election.

• (4) An election has no effect if the member or the beneficiary dies before the notice of allocation takes effect.

Effect of allocation

82

• (1) If an allocation election takes effect, the member's retirement pension is reduced accordingly.

• (2) If a notice of allocation takes effect, it does so on the day on which the retirement pension comes into payment.

• (3) Where a notice of allocation has taken effect, and the beneficiary survives the pensioner, the scheme manager must, from the date of the pensioner's death, pay the beneficiary a pension for life (“allocated pension”) of an amount determined by the scheme manager in accordance with actuarial guidance in force when the notice of allocation takes effect, having regard to—

• (a) the amount of retirement pension allocated under the election; and

• (b) the age of the pensioner and beneficiary at the date when the notice of allocation was given.

• (4) Where more than one portion of a member's retirement pension has been allocated, a separate calculation must be made under paragraph (3) in respect of each allocation.

• (5) Where—

• (a) a notice of allocation has taken effect; and

• (b) the beneficiary pre-deceases the pensioner,

the scheme manager must pay to the pensioner (distinguishing it from any other pension payable to that pensioner) the portion of pension that had been allocated (“the failed allocation pension”).

• (6) Where paragraph (5) applies, the pensioner is not entitled to recover from the scheme manager the amount of any deduction made in respect of the failed allocation pension.

• (7) An allocation ceases to have effect for the purposes of this regulation if it would result in a pension being paid under this regulation to a beneficiary who is neither—

• (a) the member's spouse or civil partner or cohabiting partner on—

• (i) the date on which the member becomes entitled to the pension, or

• (ii) when the member dies; nor

• (b) a dependant of the member for the purposes of paragraph 15(2) or (3) of Schedule 28 to the 2004 Act when the member dies.

Adjustment of allocated benefit

83

• (1) The amount of allocated pension payable to the beneficiary of an allocation election may be adjusted in a manner determined by the scheme manager if—

• (a) the member who made the allocation election dies after reaching the age of 75, and

• (b) on the death of the member, the amount of allocated pension payable to the beneficiary does not qualify as a dependants' scheme pension under section 167 (the pension death benefit rules) of the 2004 Act .

• (2) In this regulation, “allocated pension” has the same meaning as that given in regulation 82(3) (effect of allocation).

PART 6 — Death benefits

CHAPTER 1 — Interpretation

Meaning of “surviving partner”

84

• (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a person is a surviving partner in relation to a member if, at the date of the member's death, that person is—

• (a) the spouse or civil partner of the member;

• (b) cohabiting with the member and—

• (i) is not married or in a civil partnership with that member, and

• (ii) is not the spouse or civil partner of any other person, and

• (iii) could enter into a marriage or civil partnership under the law of Northern Ireland with the member but has not done so,

• (iv) is financially dependent on the scheme member, or is, with the scheme member, in a state of mutual financial dependency, and

• (v) is in a long-term relationship with the scheme member.

• (2) In paragraph (1) “long–term relationship” means a relationship that has continued for a period of at least two years ending with the date on which the question of the person's status in relation to the member falls to be considered, or such shorter period as the scheme manager may in any particular case think fit.

• (3) In these Regulations, “cohabiting partner” means a person who satisfies the requirements in paragraph (1)(b);

Meaning of “initial period”

85

For the purposes of these Regulations , the “initial period” is the period of 13 weeks commencing on the day after the death of the member during which a bereavement pension may be payable to any surviving partner or eligible child.

CHAPTER 2 — Pensions for surviving partners

Surviving partner's pension payable on death of active member

86

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to the surviving partner of a member who dies if, at the date of death, the member is an active member and has qualifying service of at least three months.

• (2) A surviving partner to whom this regulation applies is entitled to a surviving partner's pension.

• (3) Subject to paragraph (4) and regulation 90 (reduction of pensions in cases of wide age disparity) , the annual rate of the surviving partner's pension is an amount equal to half the pension which the member would have been entitled to draw if the member had retired on the grounds of ill-health with the award of a higher tier ill-health pension on the date of the member's death.

• (4) Where the member referred to in paragraph (1) was a transition member who had additional pension benefit under article 17A or 17B of Part 3 of the NFPS or additional pension benefit under article 16B or 16C of the FPS, half the amount of additional pension benefit is added to the amount of the annual rate of the surviving partner’s pension referred to in paragraph (3).

Surviving partner's pension payable on death of deferred member

87

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to the surviving partner of a member who at the date of death is a deferred member.

• (2) A surviving partner to whom this regulation applies is entitled to a surviving partner's pension.

• (3) Subject to regulation 90 (reduction in pensions in cases of wide age disparity), the annual rate of surviving partner's pension is an amount equal to half of the sum of the provisional amount of deferred pension specified in the deferred member's account and the amount of the added pension (if any) specified in the added pension account.

Surviving partner's pension payable on death of pensioner member

88

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to the surviving partner of a member (P) who at the date of death is a pensioner member.

• (2) A surviving partner to whom this regulation applies is entitled to a surviving partner's pension.

• (3) Subject to regulation 90 (reduction in pensions in cases of wide age disparity), the annual rate of the surviving partner's pension is equal to half of the annual rate of the retirement pension payable to P immediately before P's death.

• (4) Where an early payment reduction had been made on P's retirement, the amount in paragraph (2) is half of the amount of retirement pension that would have been payable to P if that reduction had not been made.

Bereavement pension: surviving partner

89

• (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the surviving partner of an active member, or a pensioner member, is entitled to a bereavement pension for the initial period.

• (2) The surviving partner of an active member is only entitled to a bereavement pension if the active member had at least three months qualifying service.

• (3) If the member was an active member at the date of the member's death, the weekly amount of the bereavement pension payable under paragraph (1) is equal to the difference between the weekly amount of pensionable pay which the member was paid at the date of the member's death or, where the member was treated as receiving assumed pensionable pay, the weekly amount of assumed pensionable pay, and the weekly amount of the surviving partner's pension.

• (4) If the member was a pensioner member at the date of the member's death, the weekly amount of the bereavement pension payable under paragraph (1) is equal to the difference between the weekly amount of the pension to which the member was entitled at the date of the member's death, and the weekly amount of the surviving partner's pension.

Reduction in pensions in cases of wide age disparity

90

• (1) This regulation applies if on the death of a member of this scheme, a surviving partner's pension is payable to a person who is more than 12 years younger than the member.

• (2) The annual rate of that pension is reduced by the lower of—

• (a) 50% of the amount of the annual rate of the pension so calculated; or

• (b)

$2.5 × ( N − 12 ) %$

where N is the number of whole years by which the surviving partner is younger than the member.

Survivor's guaranteed minimum pensions

91

• (1) If a person who is the surviving spouse or civil partner of a deceased active, deferred or pensioner member has a guaranteed minimum under section 13 of the Pension Schemes Act in relation to benefits in respect of the deceased member under this scheme—

• (a) nothing in these regulations permits or requires anything that would cause requirements made by or under that Act in relation to such a person and such a person's rights under a scheme not to be met in the case of the person;

• (b) nothing in these regulations prevents anything from being done which is necessary or expedient for the purposes of meeting such requirements in the case of the person.

• (2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) are without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1).

• (3) This paragraph applies if apart from this regulation—

• (a) no pension would be payable to the surviving partner under this Part; or

• (b) the weekly rate of the pensions payable would be less than the guaranteed minimum,

• (4) If paragraph (3) applies—

• (a) a pension the weekly rate of which is equal to the guaranteed minimum is payable to the surviving partner for life or, as the case may be, pensions the aggregate weekly rate of which is equal to the guaranteed minimum are so payable; or

• (b) if paragraph (3)(b) applies, the pensions payable are increased to the amount specified in paragraph (a).

• (5) Paragraph (4) does not apply to a pension—

• (a) that is forfeited—

• (i) as a result of a conviction for treason, or

• (ii) in a case where the relevant offence under regulation 173 (forfeiture: offences committed by members, surviving partners or eligible children) falls under paragraph (b) of the definition in that regulation of “relevant offence” ...; or

• (b) where that pension is commuted under regulation 169 (commutation of small pensions) where the conditions in regulation 60 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out Regulations) (Northern Ireland) 1996 are met.

CHAPTER 3 — Pensions for eligible children

Eligible child's pension

92

• (1) If a member, who has three months qualifying service, dies leaving an eligible child, an eligible child's pension and, depending on the deceased member's circumstances, a bereavement pension are payable in respect of the child.

• (2) An eligible child's pension is not payable in respect of any period before a child's birth.

• (3) If the person ceases to be an eligible child after the date of the member's death, the pension ceases to be payable unless and until the child becomes an eligible child again, but, if the child does not cease to be an eligible child, the pension is payable for life.

Meaning of “eligible child”

93

• (1) In these Regulations, “child”, in relation to a deceased member, means—

• (a) a natural child, step-child or adopted child of the member; or

• (b) the natural child, step-child or adopted child of the member's spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner; or

• (c) any natural child of the member who was born after the member's death and with whom the child's mother was pregnant at the date of the member's death.

• (2) A child of the deceased member is an “eligible child” if—

• (a) the child was at the date of the deceased member's death financially dependent on the deceased member;

• (b) the child is not married or in a civil partnership; and

• (c) the child satisfies any of the conditions A to C.

• (3) Condition A is that the person has not reached the age of 18.

• (4) Condition B is that the person is in full-time education or on a course of at least one year's duration and has not reached the age of 23.

• (5) Condition C is that the person is dependent on the member at the date of the deceased's death by reason of permanent incapacity of mind or body.

Eligible child's pension on death of active member

94

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to an eligible child of a member who dies if, at the date of death, the member is an active member and has qualifying service of more than three months.

• (2) Subject to paragraph (3) the annual rate of an eligible child's pension to which this regulation applies is an amount equal to the specified proportion of the pension which the member would have been entitled to draw if the member had retired on the grounds of ill-health with the award of a higher tier ill-health pension on the date of the member's death.

• (3) Where the member referred to in paragraph (1) was a transition member who had additional pension benefit under article 17A or 17B of Part 3 of the NFPS or additional pension benefit under article 16B or 16C of the FPS, the amount of the additional pension benefit is added to the amount of the higher tier ill-health pension referred to in paragraph (2).

Eligible child's pension payable on death of deferred member

95

• (1) This regulation applies in relation to an eligible child of a member who dies if, at the date of death, the member is a deferred member.

• (2) The annual rate of an eligible child's pension is an amount equal to the specified proportion of the sum of the provisional amount of deferred pension specified in the deferred member's account and the amount of the added pension (if any) specified in the added pension account.

Eligible child's pension payable on death of pensioner member

96

• (1) The regulation applies in relation to an eligible child of a member who dies if, at the date of death, the member is a pensioner member (P).

• (2) Subject to paragraph (3), the annual rate of an eligible child's pension is an amount equal to the specified proportion of the amount of full retirement pension payable to P immediately before P's death.

• (3) Where an early payment reduction had been made on P's retirement, the amount in paragraph (2) is the specified proportion of the amount of retirement pension that would have been payable if that reduction had not been made.

Specified proportion

97

• (1) The specified proportion is one quarter where there is one eligible child at the date of the member's death.

• (2) If there is more than one eligible child at the date of the member's death the specified proportion is half of the pension mentioned in regulations 94 (eligible child's pension on death of active member), 86 (eligible child's pension payable on death of deferred member) and 87 (eligible child's pension payable on death of pensioner member) divided by the number of eligible children so that each eligible child receives an equal share.

• (3) If a person ceases to be an eligible child, that person's pension will cease to be paid and where there is still more than one eligible child, the amount of that pension must be distributed between the remaining eligible children (if any).

Increase in eligible child's pension where there is no surviving partner

98

• (1) This regulation applies if at the date of the member's death there was no person who was entitled to a surviving partner's pension.

• (2) If this regulation applies and there is an eligible child, that child is also entitled to the amount of pension in accordance with paragraphs (3) or (4) which the surviving partner would have received—

• (a) under regulation 86 (surviving partner's pension payable on death of active member) if the member (P) was an active member at the date of P's death;

• (b) under regulation 87 (surviving partner's pension payable on death of deferred member) if P was a deferred member at the date of P's death;

• (c) under regulation 88 (surviving partner's pension payable on death of pensioner member) if P was a pensioner member at the date of P's death.

• (3) If there is only one eligible child, that child receives an additional amount equal to the amount ascertained in accordance with paragraph (2).

• (4) If there is more than one eligible child at the date of P's death, the amount ascertained in accordance with paragraph (2) is divided between the number of eligible children so that each eligible child receives an equal share.

• (5) If a person ceases to be an eligible child, that person's share of the amount ascertained in accordance with paragraph (2) will cease to be paid and the share must be distributed between the remaining eligible children (if any).

Increase in eligible child's pension where member was a pension debit member

99

If the member's benefits were at the date of death subject to a reduction under Article 28 of the 1999 Order, any eligible child's pension must be calculated as though that reduction had not been made.

Bereavement pension: eligible child

100

• (1) If a surviving partner's pension is not payable on the death of the member, a bereavement pension is payable to an eligible child who is entitled to an eligible child's pension on the death of an active member or a pensioner member.

• (2) If the surviving partner dies before the end of the initial period and a bereavement pension was payable to the surviving partner, a bereavement pension is payable to any eligible child for the remaining part of the initial period or until the child ceases to be eligible for an eligible child's pension if that is earlier.

• (3) If the member was an active member at the date of the member's death, the weekly amount of the bereavement pension payable under paragraph (1) or (2) is equal to the difference between the weekly amount of pensionable pay which the member was paid at the date of the member's death or, where the member was treated as receiving assumed pensionable pay, the weekly amount of assumed pensionable pay, and the weekly amount of the eligible child’s pension .

• (4) If the member was a pensioner member, the weekly amount of the bereavement pension payable under paragraph (1) or (2) is equal to the difference between the weekly amount of the pension to which the member was entitled at the date of the member's death, and the weekly amount of the eligible child’s pension .

• (5) If there is more than one eligible child, the weekly amount of the bereavement pension payable under paragraph (1) or (2) is divided by the number of eligible children so that each receives an equal share.

• (6) If a person ceases to be an eligible child before the end of the initial period, that person's share of the bereavement pension will cease to be paid and the share will be distributed between the remaining eligible children (if any).

CHAPTER 4 — Lump sum death benefits

Meaning of “final pay”

101

• (1) In this Chapter, “final pay” means the greater of the following amounts—

• (a) the amount of the member's pensionable pay during the member's continuous period of pensionable service in the period of 365 days ending with the last day of pensionable service; and

• (b) the amount of the member's pensionable pay during the member's continuous period of pensionable service in the period of three years ending with the last day of pensionable service, divided by three.

• (2) If the member's continuous period of pensionable service was less than 365 days, the amount in paragraph (1)(a) is an amount equal to the member's annualised final pay;

• (3) For the purpose of determining which of the amounts mentioned in paragraph (1) is the greater—

• (a) if the member's continuous period of pensionable service was less than three years the amount in paragraph (1)(b) is the total pensionable pay received for that service divided by the number of years in pensionable service calculated in accordance with regulation 184 (calculation of periods of membership and service); and

• (b) if a member is treated as receiving assumed pensionable pay for any period included in paragraph (1)(a) or (1)(b), pensionable pay in this regulation includes that assumed pensionable pay.

• (4) But if the continuous period of pensionable service includes the day 29th February, paragraphs (1)(a) and (2) have effect with the substitution for “365” of “366”.

• (5) Where the member referred to in paragraph (1) is a transition member and was in pensionable service under the FPS or the NFPS, as the case may be, during the period referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (1)(b) and service from that scheme is included in the qualifying service for the pension account in respect of which the lump sum death benefit is paid—

• (a) pensionable pay in paragraph (1)(a) or (1)(b) includes average pensionable pay construed in accordance with article 56 of the FPS where the person was a member of the FPS or pensionable pay under article 61 or article 62 of Part 11 of the NFPS where the person was a firefighter or special firefighter member of the NFPS, and

• (b) pensionable service includes pensionable service construed in accordance with article 45 of the FPS, where the person was a member of the FPS or pensionable service construed in accordance with articles 56 to 59 of Part 10 of the NFPS.

Meaning of “annualised final pay”

102

• (1) For the purpose of this Chapter, a member's annualised final pay is FP x 365/N where—

• (a) FP is the member's pensionable pay during the member's continuous period of pensionable service; and

• (b) N is the number of days in that period.

• (2) But if the continuous period of pensionable service includes the day 29th February, paragraph (1) has effect with the substitution for “365” of “366”.

Person to whom lump sum death benefit payable

103

The scheme manager may, at its absolute discretion, pay the lump sum death benefit payable under this Chapter to or for the benefit of the member's nominee, personal representatives or any person appearing to the scheme manager to have been a relative or dependent of the member.

Lump sum payable on death of active member

104

• (1) If an active member dies, the amount of the lump sum death benefit.

• (2) The amount of the lump sum death benefit is an amount equal to three times the amount of the member's final pay.

• (3) Where an active member has more than one active member's account, a lump sum death benefit is payable in respect of each of those accounts.

• (4) Where the active member’s account in respect of which the lump sum death benefit will be paid included pensionable service reckonable under article 45 of the FPS as qualifying service and a dependent relative’s gratuity has been paid under article 38 of the FPS or the payment of the balance of contributions to estate has been paid under article 39 of the FPS those amounts must be deducted from the amount of lump sum death benefit payable under this regulation.

Lump sum payable on death of pensioner member

105

• (1) This regulation applies if a pensioner member dies within 5 years of the pension coming into payment.

• (2) If this regulation applies, the scheme manager must pay a lump sum death benefit.

• (3) The amount of the lump sum death benefit is equal to—

• (a) the total annual amount of the member's pensions, multiplied by five; less

• (b) the total amount of any pension payments made to the member under this scheme.

• (4) In paragraph (3)(a), “total annual amount of the member's pensions” means the total of the annual rate of the retirement pension shown in the member's pension accounts calculated as if the beginning date for that pension were the date of the member's death.

• (5) For the purpose of this regulation any amounts paid or payable to or in respect of the member in the capacity of a pension credit member are disregarded.

Lump sum payable on death in certain cases

106

Where a person (P) at the time of P's death was a pensioner member of this scheme and an active member of this Scheme, the amount of the lump sum death benefit payable is the greater of the amount of lump sum death benefit payable under regulation 104 (lump sum payable on the death of active member) and the amount of the lump sum death benefit payable under regulation 105 (lump sum payable on the death of a pensioner member).

Lump sum payable on death of pension credit member

107

• (1) If a pension credit member dies before any benefits derived from a pension credit have become payable to the member, the scheme manager must pay a lump sum death benefit in accordance with paragraph (2).

• (2) The amount of the lump sum death benefit that is payable under paragraph (1) is equal to the product of 2.25 and the annual rate of the pension credit member's pension to which that member would have been entitled if that member had been entitled to the immediate payment of the pension at the date of death.

• (3) If a pension credit member dies within five years of the pension credit member's pension becoming payable, and before attaining the age of 75, the scheme manager must pay a lump sum death benefit in accordance with paragraph (4).

• (4) The amount of the lump sum death benefit that is payable under paragraph (3) is the difference between—

• (a) the amount that is five times the amount of the pension credit member's pension; and

• (b) the instalments of pension that have been paid.

• (5) In paragraph (4), “amount of pension credit member's pension” means the annual amount of that pension at the date of the pension credit member's pension came into payment.

• (6) If the deceased member was a pension credit member entitled to two or more pension credits, the lump sum death benefits under this scheme are payable in respect of the member as if the member were two or more members, each being entitled to one of the pension credits.

CHAPTER 5 — Payment of death benefits

Payment of pensions under this Part

108

• (1) A surviving partner's pension or eligible child's pension is payable from the day after the date of the member's death.

• (2) An eligible child's pension payable in respect of an eligible child aged under 18 must be paid to such other person as the scheme manager determines and the scheme manager must require the person to apply it for the eligible child's benefit in accordance with the scheme manager's directions.

Surviving partner's pensions and eligible child's pensions: suspension and recovery

109

• (1) This regulation applies if—

• (a) on a member's death a pension has been awarded and paid under this Part; and

• (b) it later appears to the scheme manager that the member or the person to whom the pension has been paid made a false declaration or deliberately suppressed a material fact in connection with the award.

• (2) The scheme manager may—

• (a) cease paying the pension; and

• (b) recover any payment made under the award.

• (3) Paragraph (2) does not affect the scheme manager's right to recover a payment or overpayment under any other provision where the scheme manager considers it appropriate to do so.

Provisional awards of eligible child's pensions: later adjustments

110

• (1) This regulation applies where after the death of an active member, deferred member or pensioner member—

• (a) a pension is paid in respect of one or more persons under this Part on the basis that they were eligible children as at the date of the member's death and that there were then no other eligible children; and

• (b) subsequently it appears—

• (i) that a person in respect of whom such a pension has been paid was not an eligible child on the date of death;

• (ii) that a further person was an eligible child; or

• (iii) that a child who was born after the member's death is an eligible child.

• (2) The scheme manager may make such adjustments in the amount of the pensions payable in respect of the children in question as are required in view of the facts as they subsequently appear and these adjustments may apply retrospectively.

• (3) Paragraph (2) does not affect the scheme manager's right to recover a payment or overpayment in any case where the scheme manager considers it appropriate to do so.

Adjustment of eligible child's awards consequent on re-instatement of pension benefits

111

• (1) This regulation applies where a person (P) who would be eligible to receive benefits as a surviving partner or eligible child following the death of an active member, deferred member or pensioner member, has been convicted of the murder or manslaughter of that member and that conviction has subsequently been quashed on appeal.

• (2) If P is then eligible to receive a surviving partner's pension, any increase in an eligible child's pension under regulation 98 (increase in eligible child's pension where there is no surviving partner) ceases to be payable from the date on which the conviction is quashed.

• (3) If P is then eligible to receive an eligible child's pension, and if more than one person is receiving an eligible child's pension on the day before the conviction is quashed, the amount of each eligible child's pension is reduced from the date on which the conviction is quashed to an amount of the eligible child's pension determined according to the specified proportion which would have applied to that number of eligible children.

Adjustment of benefits to comply with the 2004 Act where members die over 75

112

• (1) This regulation applies if—

• (a) a member dies after reaching the age of 75; and

• (b) apart from this regulation, any part of a pension to which any person becomes entitled under this Part on the death would not qualify as a dependants' scheme pension for the purposes of section 167 of the 2004 Act (the pension death benefit rules).

• (2) The benefit payable to the person may be adjusted in such manner as is determined by the scheme manager so that it qualifies as a dependants' scheme pension for the purposes of section 167 of the 2004 Act.

PART 7 — Benefits for pension credit members

Entitlement to pension credit members' pension

113

• (1) A pension credit member (P) of this scheme is entitled to the immediate payment of a pension credit member's pension under this scheme if—

• (a) P has reached deferred pension age;

• (b) the pension sharing order under which P is entitled to the pension credit has taken effect; and

• (c) P has claimed payment of the pension.

• (2) If P is entitled to two or more pension credits, P is entitled to a pension credit member's pension in respect of each pension credit.

Annual rate of pension credit member's pension

114

The annual rate of a pension credit member's pension is calculated by—

• (a) taking the amount of credited pension specified in the pension credit member's account; and

• (b) subtracting the commutation amount (if any) specified in that account in relation to that amount.

Reduction in pension debit member's benefits

115

The benefits to which a pension debit member is entitled under these Regulations are subject to the reduction of the relevant amount calculated in accordance with regulation 63 (establishment of pension credit member's account).

Pension credit member's rights

116

Benefits that are attributable (directly or indirectly) to a pension credit may not be aggregated with any other benefit to which the pension credit member is entitled under this scheme.

Commutation of part of pension

117

• (1) A pension credit member who becomes entitled to payment of a pension credit member's pension under this scheme may opt to exchange part of the pension for a lump sum.

• (2) The option may only be exercised by notice —

• (a) to the scheme manager not earlier than 4 months before the later of—

• (i) the date on which the pension sharing order comes into effect; or

• (ii) the date on which the person attains deferred pension age;

• (b) in such form as the scheme manager requires; and

• (c) before the first payment of the pension is made.

• (3) If a pension credit member exercises the option under this regulation, for every £1 by which the amount of the member's annual rate of pension is reduced, the member is to be paid a lump sum of £12.

• (4) The commuted portion must not exceed one quarter of the amount of the pension credit member's pension.

• (5) A pension credit member may not exchange pension for a lump sum under this regulation to the extent that it would result in a scheme chargeable payment for the purposes of Part 4 (pension scheme etc) of the 2004 Act (see section 241 of that Act).

• (6) This regulation does not apply if the pension debit member from whose rights the pension is derived received a lump sum under Part 5 (retirement benefits) before the date on which the pension sharing order takes effect.

PART 8 — Contributions

CHAPTER 1 — Members contributions

Member contributions

118

• (1) Subject to regulations 119 to 121 (contributions during absences) an active member of this scheme must pay contributions to the scheme in respect of a scheme employment at the contribution rate applicable to the annual pensionable pay that member is receiving in the pay period in which 1st April falls for that employment (or in the case of an active member whose membership commences after 1st April in any year, on the annual pensionable pay the member receives at the commencement of that membership).

• (2) The contribution rate applicable to a scheme employment is as specified in the following table, with the contribution rate specified in the appropriate column for the year to be considered applicable to the band of pensionable pay specified in the first column into which the active member's annual pensionable pay, rounded down to the nearest whole pound, falls:

Pensionable pay range for an employment	Contribution rate 1st April 2015-31st March 2016
Up to £27,000	10.0%
£27,001 to £50,000	12.2%
£50,001 to £142,500	13.5%
£142,501 or more	14.5%
Pensionable pay range for an employment	Contribution rate 1st April 2016-31st March 2017
---	---
Up to £27,270	10.0%
£27,271 to £50,500	12.5%
£50,501 to £142,500	13.5%
£142,501 or more	14.5%
Pensionable pay range for an employment	Contribution rate 1st April 207-31st March 2018
---	---
Up to £27,543	10.5%
£27,544 to £51,005	12.7%
£51,006 to £142,500	13.5%
£142,501 or more	14.5%
Pensionable pay range for an employment	Contribution rate from 1st April 2018
---	---
Up to £27,818	11.0%
£27,819 to £51,515	12.9%
£51,516 to £142,500	13.5%
£142,501 or more	14.5%

• (3) The amount of pensionable pay of a retained or volunteer firefighter for the purpose of the first column of the table must be that firefighter's reference pay.

• (4) The amount of pensionable pay of a part-time regular firefighter for the purpose of the first column of the table must be the amount of pensionable pay of a whole-time regular firefighter of equivalent role and length of service.

• (5) Where there is a change in scheme employment, or a material change which affects the member's pensionable pay in the course of a financial year and the revised amount of the pensionable pay falls into a different contribution rate band the scheme manager must determine that this rate should be applied and the scheme manager must inform the member of the contribution rate applicable and the date from which it is to be applied.

• (6) Where the scheme manager has determined under paragraph (5) that a different contribution rate applies, the member must pay contributions at that rate on the pensionable pay that member is receiving at that time.

• (7) For the purposes of identifying which is the applicable contribution rate under this regulation, any reduction in pensionable pay which arises as a consequence of any of the following circumstances is to be disregarded—

• (a) the actual or assumed enjoyment by the member of any statutory entitlement during any period away from work;

• (b) child-related leave;

• (c) leave of absence with permission;

• (d) sick leave;

• (e) leave due to injury;

• (f) reserve forces service leave;

• (g) absence due to a trade dispute; or

• (h) circumstances specified by the scheme manager in a particular case.

• (8) In these Regulations, “member contributions” means contributions which an active member may pay under this regulation and regulations 119 to 121 (contributions during absences from work).

Contributions during absence from work due to illness, injury, trade dispute or authorised absence

119

• (1) An active member away from scheme employment by reason of illness or injury must pay contributions at the contribution rate ascertained in accordance with regulation 118 (member contributions) multiplied by the amount of any pensionable pay received, including statutory pay.

• (2) If an active member is absent from employment by reason of illness or injury and is not entitled to receive pensionable pay (including statutory pay) for any period that member may elect to pay contributions at the contribution rate ascertained in accordance with regulation 118 (member contributions) multiplied by the amount of pay received immediately before the cessation of pay and if required by the Board, pay the amount of employer contribution which it would otherwise be required to pay by regulation 125(3) (employer contributions).

• (3) If an active member is absent on a trade dispute, the member may elect to pay the contributions at the contribution rate ascertained in accordance with regulation 118 (member contributions) multiplied by the assumed pensionable pay that member is treated as receiving and if required by the Board, pay the amount of employer contribution which it would otherwise be required to pay by regulation 125(3) (employer contributions).

• (4) If an active member is away from work during a period of authorised unpaid absence, the member may elect to pay contributions at the contribution rate ascertained in accordance with regulation 118 (member contributions) multiplied by the assumed pensionable pay that member is treated as receiving and if required by the Board, pay the amount of employer contributions which it would otherwise be required to pay by regulation 125(3) (employer contributions).

• (5) Where paragraph (2), (3) or (4) applies, the contributions must be paid before the end of the period of six months starting with the date on which the member is treated as receiving assumed pensionable pay.

Contributions during absence from work on reserve forces service leave

120

• (1) An active member (P), who is on reserve forces service leave and who is treated as receiving assumed pensionable pay, must pay contributions at the contribution rate ascertained in accordance with regulation 118 (member contributions).

• (2) The amount of the contributions paid is calculated by multiplying the contribution rate by the lesser of the following amounts—

• (a) assumed pensionable pay;

• (b) the total of the actual pay received and any additional payment made by the scheme employer.

Contributions during child-related leave

121