Explanatory note

This Order amends the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3432) (“the Scheme”). This Scheme provides those persons employed in England as retained firefighters during the period from 1st July 2000 to 5th April 2006 with access to a pension scheme for that period. The Schedule to this Order makes various amendments to the Scheme relating to retained firefighters. These include amendments to introduce new awards which are payable following the death of a retained firefighter, to extend the deadline for their purchase of service during the extended limited period and to amend the eligibility criteria for some awards and conversions.

Paragraph 1 introduces the term “retained firefighter opt-out member” and amends the definition of the “extended limited period” and “mandatory special period” for these members.

Paragraph 2 amends rule 1A(8) of Part 3 to expand the categories of member to whom a lump sum is payable under that rule.

Paragraph 3 introduces the missed pension lump sum grant and the survivor’s missed pension lump sum grant. It includes details of restrictions to be applied in respect of both grants. It also changes the eligibility criteria in rule 1C so that those eligible to join the Scheme under rule 6A of Part 11, in addition to those who elected to join it, will be eligible for the additional death grant. Finally, it extends the deadline for applications for the death grant for the extended limited period and the additional death grant by 12 months.

Paragraph 4 amends rule 6B of Part 11 to extend the deadline for making an election to purchase service.

Paragraph 5 amends rules 17 and 18 of Part 12 to extend the categories of members eligible to convert their standard membership to special membership.

Paragraph 6 amends Part 15 to allow a retained firefighter opt-out member, or the spouse, civil partner of child of a retained firefighter opt-out member, to purchase periods of opted-out service as special service.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.