About the 2015 Scheme
The Firefighters’ 2015 Pension Scheme (Scotland) came into being on 1 April 2015. If you’re a new regular or retained firefighter, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the scheme when you take up employment with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Additionally, if you’ve previously been a member of one of the earlier Scottish firefighters’ pension schemes, you may have been transitioned to the 2015 scheme already – or at an agreed date in the future.
The Firefighters’ 2015 scheme is a high quality workplace pension scheme that offers defined benefits at retirement and protection for your dependents based on your career average earnings.
Key features
- Career average revalued earnings scheme which provides benefits based on your earnings each year which are revalued annually to keep pace with inflation.
- Current accrual rate of 1/61.6 of pensionable pay in each year.
- Revaluation is linked to Consumer Price Index.
- Options to transfer in service from other pension schemes.
- Normal pension age of 60, deferred pension age linked to State Pension age.
- Early retirement options from age 55 subject to actuarial reduction to age 60 (or State Pension age for deferred pensions).
- Tax-free lump sum option at retirement – £12 of lump sum for every £1 of annual pension given up with a current maximum of 25% of your pension fund.
- Valuable death benefits for your dependents.
- Ill health retirement options if you’re permanently unable to work as a firefighter or if you’re permanently unable to undertake any paid work.
- Valuable benefits for members who are injured while on firefighting duty.
Work out how much you’re likely to receive in retirement
Your pension estimates and annual statements
Further information on how to get pension estimates and annual benefit statements.
Joining the Firefighters’ 2015 scheme
More information on becoming a member
Your guide to personal contributions.
Opting out or leaving the scheme
What happens if you opt out of the scheme or leave firefighting.
How to move former pensions to your firefighters’ scheme
Valuable protection for your dependents
What happens if you’re being transitioned to the 2015 scheme
Injured on duty? We’ve got you covered.
Options to boost your retirement funds
Further reading
Firefighters’ 2015 Pension Scheme (Scotland) guide
Firefighters’ 2015 Pension Scheme (Scotland) guide for transitional members