Taking a career break

Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Scotland) 2015

If you take a career break, or opt out, you must return to the scheme within five years to ensure your future service remains connected to your previous pension service.

If you don't return within five years, your previous service will become preserved and will be subject to different retirement conditions including revaluation in line with the Consumer Price Index rather than being linked to national average earnings.

Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 and New Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006

If you take a career break you must return within five years in order to maintain the link to your final pensionable pay for benefits earned in your scheme. If you've taken a career break (but not opted out) while on full or tapered protection, you'll have to return within five years to ensure you return to your original scheme (as long as your tapered protection has not expired).