Please note that these circulars previously issued by DCLG are no longer endorsed by Home Office, LGA or SAB. Nevertheless, they provide useful historic background.
Guidance notes can be accessed via the menu on the right hand side.
07/2011: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Pension Debit Adjustment factors and Early Retirement factors (Information) (PDF, 2 pages, 184kb)
Issued 04/07/2011. This circular advises FRAs on updated early retirement factors for the NFPS and updated pension debit adjustment factors for both the FPS and NFPS.
New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Early Retirement Factors (PDF, 4 pages, 45kb)
Issued 04/07/2011.
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Adjustment factors for pension debits (PDF, 9 pages, 61kb)
Issued 04/07/2011.
New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Adjustment factors for pension debits (PDF, 9 pages, 89kb)
Issued 04/07/2011.
06/2011: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 – Revised Commutation Factors (Information and Action) (PDF, 3 pages, 135kb)
Issued 19/04/2011. This circular advises FRAs on the revised commutation factors prepared by the Government Actuary for the purpose of calculating lump sums payable under Rule B7 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992. These revised factors should be applied to members who retire on or after 19th April 2011.
05/2011: Firefighters’ Pension Schemes – Actuarial Factors: Impact of SCAPE discount rate (Information) (PDF, 2 pages, 130kb)
Issued 05/04/2011. This circular advises FRAs on impact of the SCAPE discount on scheme actuarial factors.
04/2011: Firefighters’ Pension Schemes – Pensions Increase 2011 (Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 126kb)
Issued 07/02/2011. This circular advises FRAs on the Pensions Increase for 2011.
03/2011: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEMES – GUIDANCE AND FACTORS FOR THE CALCULATION OF PENSION CREDITS ON DIVORCE (Information) (PDF, 36 pages, 303kb)
Issued 27/01/2011. This circular provides guidance and factors from the Government Actuary for the calculation of pension credits on divorce for both the FPS 1992 and the NFPS 2006.
02/2011: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEMES –GUIDANCE AND FACTORS FOR NON- CLUB TRANSFERS INTO NFPS (Information) (PDF, 15 pages, 163kb)
Issued 21/01/2011. This circular provides guidance and factors from the Government Actuary for the calculation of service credits for non-Club (statutory) transfers into the NFPS 2006.
01/2011: FIREFIGHTERS’ COMPENSATION SCHEME 2006 – GUIDANCE FOR IQMPs (Information) (PDF, 3 pages, 146kb)
Issued 07/01/2011. Outlines amendments to the guidance for IQMPs to reflect more accurately the law on the apportionment of injury awards.
GUIDANCE FOR INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (IQMPs) Third edition (PDF, 28 pages, 283kb)
Issued January 2011.
09/2010: Appeals to the Board of Medical Referees: Processing of Medical Appeals (Information) (PDF, 19 pages, 540kb)
Issued 17/12/2010. This circular covers changes to the arrangements for processing medical appeals under the contract with Health Management Limited for managing Boards of Medical Referees; and the revision of forms as necessary in support of this.
08/2010: Firefighter Pension Scheme (Information) (PDF, 3 pages, 177kb)
Issued 07/12/2010. This circular informs FRAs about: (i) future pension indexation; (ii) Valuation of both firefighter pension schemes; (iii) Age discrimination; (iv) changes to DCLG’s website and (v) changes to the current structure of the Firefighters Pension Team.
New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 Examples of Club Transfer Calculations (PDF, 24 pages, 121kb)
Issued 30/09/2010.
07/2010: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEMES –GUIDANCE AND FACTORS FOR CLUB TRANSFERS (Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 92kb)
Issued 05/10/2010. This circular provides guidance and factors from the Government Actuary on Club Transfers out of the FPS 1992 and Club Transfers in and out of the NFPS 2006.
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 Examples of Club Transfer Calculations (PDF, 13 pages, 93kb)
Issued 30/09/2010.
06/2010: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEMES – CETV GUIDANCE (Action) (PDF, 3 pages, 448kb)
Issued 28/09/2010. Revised guidance and factors from the Government Actuary on Statutory CETVs for transfers out of the FPS and NFPS ii) Guidance from the Public Sector Transfers Club and accompanying revised Club factors from the Government Actuary.
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 Statutory Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (PDF, 30 pages, 139kb)
Issued 22/09/2010.
New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 Statutory Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (PDF, 33 pages, 332kb)
Issued 22/09/2010.
05/2010: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Payment of the Pension Top Up Grant 2010 (Information) (PDF, 3 pages, 245kb)
Issued 12/07/2010. This circular updates FRAs about the current status of the Pension Top Up Grants for 2010. It also informs each FRA about the value of the Top Up grant which they will receive.
04/2010: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEMES – CETV GUIDANCE (Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 291kb)
Issued 07/07/2010. Information about the change to the link from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for uprating benefits and advising pension administrators that cash equivalent transfers should not be actioned until revised guidance is issued by the Government Actuary.
03/2010: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme – Transfer Values; Two Pension Provisions - Index Linking; and Age Discrimination (Information and Action) (PDF, 4 pages, 206kb)
Issued 21/06/2010. This circular advises FRAs about current problems with calculating certain transfer values; provides guidance on the index linking of split pensions; and provides an update on proposals to avoid potential for age discrimination in relation to pension contributions.
02/2010: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme – Public Service Pensions Increase 2010 (Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 33kb)
Issued 26/02/2010. This circular advises FRAs that Public Service Pensions will not be uprated in 2010.
01/2010 Replaced by 09/2010.
12/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Payment of 2nd Special Commutation Top-Up Payment (Information) (PDF, 3 pages, 155kb)
Issued 23/12/2009. This circular advises FRAs about the payment of a second special commutation top-up payment following the decision to further backdate the application of the revised commutation factors to those firefighter pensions that came into payment on or after the 22 August 2006.
11/2009: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 AND NEW FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 2006 - DEFINITION OF PENSIONABLE PAY (Information and Comment) (PDF, 8 pages, 312kb)
Issued 09/12/2009. This circular sets out concerns about the treatment of pay for pension purposes and invites comments on options for amending the pension arrangements to ensure more equitable arrangements in future. It recommends that authorities should not introduce new pensionable payments until decisions have been taken.
10/2009: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 – ABATEMENT OF PENSION ON THE RE-EMPLOYMENT OF A FIREFIGHTER (Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 221kb)
Issued 25/09/2009. This circular advises FRAs about CLG’s position regarding the abatement of a member’s pension on re-employment.
09/2009: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 – COMMUTATION GRIEVANCE (Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 221kb)
Issued 15/09/2009. This circular provides Fire and Rescue Authorities with a copy of the CLG response to the complaints from retired firefighters relating to the introduction of new commutation factors in 2008.
08/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme:(A) Commentary on Ill-health retirements;(B) Provision of Boards of Medical Referees (Information [informal guidance]) (PDF, 4 pages, 46kb)
Issued 09/09/2009. This circular updates Fire and Rescue Authorities on (A) the consequences of the decision of the Court of Appeal in Marrion & others and its impact on the guidance given in FPSC 8/2008, issued on 24 October 2008; and (B) arrangements for procurement of a new contract for Boards of Medical Referees.
GUIDANCE FOR INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (IQMPs) Second edition (PDF, 28 pages, 110kb)
Issued July 2009.
07/2009: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 – COMMUTATION FACTORS (Information and Action) (PDF, 7 pages, 268kb)
Issued 07/09/2009. This circular provides guidance on the backdating to 22 August 2006 of the actuarial factors for the commutation of pension into a lump sum issued in May 2008.
06/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Payment of the Pension Top Up Grant 2009 (Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 235kb)
Issued 11/08/2009. This circular updates FRAs about the current status of the Pension Top Up Grants for 2009. It also informs each FRA about the value of the Top Up grant which they will receive.
05/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Tax Rules – Lifetime Allowance and Enhanced Protection; Earnings Cap (Information and Action) (PDF, 4 pages, 209kb)
Issued 17/03/2009. This circular reminds FRAs of the deadline (5 April 2009) for the submission of claims for protection certificates to HM Revenue and Customs; provides FRAs with notification of the Earnings Cap for 2009/10.
04/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme – Pension Increase (Review) Order 2009 (Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 70kb)
Issued 19/02/2009. This circular advises FRAs on the Pension Increase (Review) Order 2009.
03/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: New Provisions For Cash Equivalent Transfer Values – Final Guidance (Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 78kb)
Issued 30/01/2009. This circular provides final guidance along with the actuarial factors for calculating CETVs for both the FPS and NFPS from 1st October 2008. This circular should be read in conjunction with circular FPSC 7/2008 and FPS Guidance Note 5/2008.
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 Transfer Values and Pension Sharing (PDF, 58 pages, 228kb)
Issued 28/01/2009.
New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 Transfer Values and Pension Sharing (PDF, 80 pages, 293kb)
Issued 28/01/2009.
02/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Introduction of the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (Information and Action [informal guidance]) (PDF, 3 pages, 160kb)
Issued 06/01/2009. This circular advises FRAs about the introduction of the ESA as a replacement for Incapacity Benefit and Income Support from 27th October 2008. It also provides guidance on the implications for calculating Injury awards under the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme.
01/2009: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: INTERNAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE (IDRP) (Information and Action [informal guidance]) (PDF, 12 pages, 355kb)
Issued 02/01/2009. This circular advises FRAs that IDRP arrangements have been reviewed and changes introduced with the agreement of the Firefighters’ Pension Committee to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements of the Pensions Act 1995, as amended.
10/2008: Firefighters’Pension Scheme 1992 – Commutation Grievance (For Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 42kb)
Issued 17/12/2008. This circular provides FRAs with an update on the grievances that have been submitted by firefighters following the decision to apply the revised commutation factors in the FPS 1992 retrospectively to 1 October 2007.
09/2008: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) (For Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 134kb)
Issued 16/12/2008. This circular provides briefing for FRAs on a Ministerial statement about GMP overpayments in some public service pension schemes and recommends that checks be made that appropriate systems are in place to ensure that this does not happen with firefighters’ pensions.
08/2008: Commentary on Ill-health retirements (For Information [informal guidance]) (PDF, 4 pages, 141kb)
Issued 24/10/2008. This circular provides new, informal guidance on the regulations which allow for the award of ill health retirement pensions in the Firefighters’ Pension and New Firefighters’ Pensions Schemes for England.
07/2008: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme: New Provisions For Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (For Information and Action) (PDF, 3 pages, 141kb)
Issued 26/09/2008. This circular provides guidance on the new arrangements for determining how cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs) may be calculated. It also includes a recommendation that CETVs should not be calculated or paid during the period 1 October 2008 to 12 October 2008 inclusive.
Public Sector Transfer Club Actuarial Factors for Transfers from 1 October 2008 (PDF, 9 pages, 72kb)
Issued 08/09/2008.
06/2008: New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006- Purchase of Increased Benefits (PDF, 2 pages, 135kb)
Issued 12/08/2008. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities about the new guidance and factors prepared by the Government Actuary for the purpose of purchasing additional service in the NFPS.
05/2008: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 – COMMUTATION FACTORS (PDF, 4 pages, 218kb)
Issued 21/05/2008. This circular advises:- (i) revised commutation factors prepared by the Government Actuary for the purpose of calculating lump sums payable under Rule B7 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 from 1 October 2007; and (ii) guidance from the Government Actuary on trivial commutation under Rules B8 and E5 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 and Part 3, rule 10, and Part 5, rule 5 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006; and capitalisation for death gratuities under Rule E4 of the 1992 Scheme.
04/2008: The Provision of Boards of Medical Referees (To note) (PDF, 4 pages, 49kb)
Issued 01/05/2008. Extension of contract for provision of Boards of Medical Referees and revised schedule of charges.
03/2008: FPS/NFPS: GUIDANCE ON TRANSFER VALUES AND PENSION SHARING (To note) (PDF, 3 pages, 144kb)
Issued 13/03/2008. The attached documents provide: (i) guidance on Transfer Values (TVs) and Pension Sharing in the NFPS (Note: this guidance supersedes the previous guidance that was published on 13 February 2007 under cover of circular FPSC 1/2007) – statutory guidance, (ii) guidance on the calculation of CETVs in the FPS – statutory guidance, (iii) the dates to be used in the calculation of the pension credit on pension sharing on divorce in the FPS – statutory guidance, (iv) notice of our change of office address, and (v) note explaining the status of FPSC circulars.
02/2008: AMENDMENTS TO THE FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 1992 AND THE NEW FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 2006 (To note) (PDF, 15 pages, 239kb)
Issued 03/03/2008. Amendment of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 to allow for the pensionability of Long Service Increment and Continual Professional Development payments to be dealt with through Additional Pension Benefit arrangements. Providing also for two pensions (or split pension) arrangements in the 1992 Scheme.
Continual Professional Development (CPD) Pension Factors (PDF, 7 pages, 63kb)
Issued 15/02/2008.
01/2008: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 131kb)
Issued 04/02/2008. This circular advises FRAs on: (i) the Pension Increase (Review) Order 2008; and (ii) possible overpayments of pensions paid to FPS pensioners who have reached State Pension Age (SPA) as a result of late or non notification of GMPs.
08/2007: GUIDANCE FOR INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (IQMPs) (Guidance) (PDF, 2 pages, 86kb)
Issued 05/09/2007. Guidance to help IQMPs understand their role in determining a medical opinion on questions of permanent disablement, etc.
GUIDANCE FOR INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (IQMPs) First edition (PDF, 28 pages, 151kb)
Issued September 2007.
07/2007: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME (ENGLAND)(AMENDMENT) ORDER 2007; AND FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME (AMENDMENT) (ENGLAND) ORDER 2007 (Draft Orders for consultation) (PDF, 16 pages, 434kb)
Issued 23/08/2007. Providing for amendment of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 to allow for pension problems caused by the phasing out of the Long Service Increment and the introduction of Continual Professional Development payments to be dealt with by the introduction of Alternative Pension Benefit arrangements. Providing also for two pensions, or split pension, arrangements in the 1992 Scheme.
06/2007: The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme - Second Contracts of Employment (Guidance and Action) (PDF, 12 pages, 197kb)
Issued 14/08/2007. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities on the implications for injury benefits of employing a firefighter under a second contract or on secondary duties.
05/2007: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Information and Action) (PDF, 4 pages, 275kb)
Issued 14/05/2007. This circular advises FRAs on: (i) the NFPS - contracted-out status: action required by FRAs; (ii) actuarial data required for setting contributions rates; and (iii) the role of a Sub-Scheme Administrator.
04/2007: FIREFIGHTER PENSION AND COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS (Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 174kb)
Issued 11/04/2007. Guidance on the provisions for compensation for death or permanent incapacity in the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme; notification of the Earnings cap in 2007-08; link to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order; and arrangements for regional meetings in May and June.
03/2007: Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (PDF, 4 pages, 207kb)
Issued 21/02/2007. This circular advises FRAs on: (i) the Pension Increase (Review) Order 2007, (ii) the FRC - levy on Pension Schemes, and (iii) recycling commuted lump sums.
02/2007: New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Information) (PDF, 11 pages, 294kb)
Issued 15/02/2007. This circular advises FRAs on coming into force of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and consequential amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (1992) and to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (2006).
01/2007: NEW FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME: TRANSFER VALUE FACTORS (Information) (PDF, 2 pages, 185kb)
Issued 13/02/2007. This circular advises FRAs on the factors and guidance for Transfer Value calculations in the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.
NEW FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME 2006: TRANSFER VALUE GUIDANCE (PDF, 19 pages, 110kb)
Issued 09/02/2007.
13/2006: NEW FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME - Options Exercise (Guidance) (PDF, 11 pages, 336kb)
Issued 20/12/2006. Guidance on the management of the exercise which will give members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) the option to transfer to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NFPS) and firefighters who undertake retained duties the option to join the NFPS.
12/2006: FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME (Information and Action) (PDF, 4 pages, 255kb)
Issued 05/10/2006. This circular advises FRAs that: 1) a Firefighters’ Pensions Discussion Forum has been set up; 2) the ‘Nomination of Dependent Partner for Survivor Pensions’ forms can be issued to retained and volunteer firefighters; and 3) workshops on the NFPS options exercise have been arranged.
11/2006: THE FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION SCHEME - guidance on the definition of “regular firefighter” (Guidance) (PDF, 2 pages, 186kb)
Issued 04/09/2006. This circular revises previous guidance on entitlement to an ill-health award as a consequence of the change to the definition of regular firefighter set out in the Firemen’s Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order 2004. It replaces section (a) of Annex B (Guidance on implementing changes) of Fire and Rescue Service Circular 30- 2004.
10/2006: The New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NFPS) Medical Appeal Arrangements (Information and Action) (PDF, 10 pages, 338kb)
Issued 14/07/2006. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities on: progress with drafting of the NFPS order and related activities. It suggests action which authorities need to take; changes to the contract with BUPA for the provision of Boards of Medical referees; and reminds FRAs about the requirement to obtain the opinion of an independent qualified medical practitioner when considering questions under Rule H1(2).
09/2006: The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order 2006; The Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order 2006 (Guidance and Information) (PDF, 12 pages, 381kb)
Issued 11/07/2006. This circular: provides information on the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment)(England) Order 2006 and the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order 2006; and identifies action that needs to be taken by authorities (paras 2.4 & 3.9).
08/2006: Update on amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) and the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (FCS) (Information and Action) (PDF, 18 pages, 322kb)
Issued 11/04/2006. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities on progress on the changes which are being made to the FPS from 1/6 April 2006 and the new FCS; and gives further guidance on the consequences of the new tax regime for pensions and the new arrangements for ill-health awards.
07/2006: The New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (NFPS) (Information and Action) (PDF, 11 pages, 83kb)
Issued 30/03/2006. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities on transitional arrangements for the introduction of the NFPS.
06/2006: Amendments to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS)(Information and Comment) (PDF, 9 pages, 230kb)
Issued 15/03/2006. This circular provides details of the forthcoming amendments to the FPS and invites comments on the draft amending orders.
05/2006: Pension Increase (Review) Order 2006 (Information and Action) (PDF, 2 pages, 104kb)
Issued 02/03/2006. This circular advises Fire and Rescue Authorities of the Pension Increase (Review) Order 2006; and provides further information about the Working Group on Emergency Fire Control Staff.
04/2006: Firefighters' Pension Arrangements from April 2006 (Information and Action) (PDF, 7 pages, 183kb)
Issued 20/02/2006. This circular provides an update on the development of the new pension arrangements, and a Question and Answer briefing on these developments.
03/2006: New Tax Rules on Commutation (Action) (PDF, 3 pages, 164kb)
Issued 10/02/2006. This circular provides important instructions on Commutation rules (B7(7)) following receipt of new guidance from HM Revenue and Customs.
02/2006: New Tax Rules for Pension Schemes (Information) (PDF, 12 pages, 253kb)
Issued 06/02/2006. This circular (i) provides guidance notes on Primary Protection under the new tax rules for pensions; (ii) asks for information about Scheme Administrators and (iii) includes a correction to FPSC 1/2006.
01/2006: The Firefighters' Pension Scheme(FPS) - Future Amendments (Information) (PDF, 15 pages, 94kb)
Issued 02/02/2006. This circular provides (i) an update on the development of the new pension arrangements and related matters, and (ii) a Question and Answer briefing on the proposed changes.
05/2005: The Firefighters' Pension Scheme(Civil Partnerships Amendments)(England and Scotland)Order 2005 (Information) (PDF, 4 pages, 52kb)
Issued 05/12/2005. This circular provides information on the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Civil Partnerships Amendments) (England and Scotland) Order 2005 and outlines the main areas of the pension scheme that have been amended.
04/2005: Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) (England) Order 2005 (Information) (PDF, 5 pages, 133kb)
Issued 21/11/2005. This circular provides information on the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) (England) Order 2005 and outlines the areas of the pension scheme that have been amended.
03/2005: Firefighters' Pension Scheme - Amendments (PDF, 5 pages, 58kb)
Issued 13/09/2005. This circular provides information about, and invites comments on, proposed amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS) to: (i) make changes as a consequence of the Civil Partnership Act 2004; and (ii) amendments to reflect other legislative changes.
02/2005: Review of Firefighters' Pension Arrangements (Information) (PDF, 11 pages, 141kb)
Issued 08/09/2005. This circular advises: the outcome of the consultation exercise on pension changes for firefighters; the framework for the new scheme; and provides Q&A briefing on issues which are likely to concern existing members.
01/2005: Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Information) (PDF, 3 pages, 48kb)
Issued 15/08/2005. This circular provides information about organisational changes; advice on Salary Sacrifice Schemes and its effects on pensionable pay; and informs FRAs that the New Earnings Survey has been replaced by the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
48/2004: Review of Pension Arrangements for Firefighters (Guidance) (PDF, 6 pages, 74kb)
Issued 04/11/2004. This circular provides further Q&A briefing to supplement that already provided with Fire Service Circular 44/2004.
44/2004: Review of Pension Arrangements for Firefighters (Consultation) (PDF, 14 pages, 165kb)
Issued 13/10/2004. Publication of proposals for (i) New Firefighters' Pension Scheme and (ii) Proposals for Further Amendments to the current Firefighters' Pension Scheme.
30/2004: The Firemen's Pension Scheme Amendment Order 2004 (Guidance) (PDF, 12 pages, 225kb)
Issued 01/09/2004. Firemen's Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004/1912) comes into force on 13 September 2004. Some of the provisions, mainly those concerning maternity, paternity & adoption leave have retrospective effect.
21/2004: The Firemen's Pension Scheme Order 1992 (FPS): Processing of medical appeals under Rule H2 (For action) (PDF, 20 pages, 162kb)
Issued 11/08/2004. This circular reminds FRA's of arrangements for the handling of medical appeals under Rule H2 of the FPS set out in FSC 4/2003; and provides further information.
14/2004: The Firemen's Pension Scheme Order 1992 (FPS) (PDF, 18 pages, 96.7kb)
This circular advises Fire Authorities of the following matters and provides guidance where changes are to be implemented:
- Update on the New Pension Arrangements
- Amendments to the Firemen's Pension Scheme - Latest Draft
- Employment of Regular Firefighters as Retained Firefighters - Pension Implications
- Enquiries on Firefighter Pension matters
12/2003: Q&A briefing on changes to pension arrangements for firefighters (PDF, 10 pages, 57.8kb)
This circular advises fire authorities of the following matters:
- Advice in respect of the most commonly asked questions about changes to firefighters' pension arrangements.
- Enquiries on Firefighter's Pension Scheme (FPS) matters.
03/2003: Ill-health retirement (PDF, 15 pages, 83.5kb)
This circular advises Fire Authorities on the introduction of an independent qualified Medical Adviser, and other matters.