Explanatory note

These Regulations makes amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”).

Regulation 2(2)(b) updates the annual pensionable earnings bands and the rates payable at each level beginning with 1st May 2026.

Regulation 2(2)(c) amends regulation 118(3) so that the amount of pensionable pay of a retained or volunteer firefighter used to determine the annual pensionable earnings band must be that firefighter’s actual annual pensionable pay beginning with 1st May 2026.

Regulation 2(2)(d) amends regulation 118(4) so that the amount of pensionable pay of a part-time regular firefighter used to determine the annual pensionable earnings band must be that firefighter’s actual annual pensionable pay beginning with 1st May 2026.

Regulation 2(2)(e) introduces an automatic increase to the annual pensionable earnings bands by the relevant increase in the Consumer Price Index or a similar index.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.