Police Pensions Regulations 2015 laid before Parliament

The Fed added: “The Government’s reform of the police pension schemes was never going to be welcome but since then we have been in consultation with them about their proposals to ensure that any new scheme is fit-for-purpose.

“This has never been a negotiation as the Government are not required to negotiate with us on this matter.

“We understand that many members are angry at the Home Secretary’s decision on how this reform impacts on their police pensions.”

PFEW has also “instructed Legal Counsel to undertake a review of the new regulations in the context of the consultation process that has taken place and the original legal advice which was obtained in 2012 and 2013.”

On 1 April, the new CARE scheme will replace the final salary scheme and a new pension age of 60 will be introduced for police officers. The majority of officers will be paying 13.44 per cent of their salaries into their pensions.

However, there will be no change in pension age or amount for those who on 1 April 2012 were aged 45 or over, or aged 38 or over and members of the 1987 police  pension scheme with 10 years or less to go before retirement with a maximum 30-year pension.

Since publication of the Pension Regulations, the Home Office has published a Members’ Guide to the new scheme. You can see that here http://www.polfed.org/documents/Pensions_Guide_Members_Guide_Final_060315.pdf

The Police Federation of England and Wales has also published a “Frequently Asked Questions” document that it hopes will “go some way to provide answers to our members with their many queries.” You can see that here http://www.polfed.org/documents/Police_Pension_Scheme_2015_FAQs_060315.pdf