CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-gb" dir="ltr"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="author" content="Claire Hey"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta name="description" content="fpsregs.org"> <meta name="generator" content="Joomla! - Open Source Content Management"> <title>News archive 2019</title> <link href="/media/system/images/joomla-favicon.svg" rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml"> <link href="/media/system/images/favicon.ico" rel="alternate icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon"> <link href="/media/system/images/joomla-favicon-pinned.svg" rel="mask-icon" color="#000"> <link href="/media/system/css/joomla-fontawesome.min.css?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" rel="lazy-stylesheet" /><noscript><link href="/media/system/css/joomla-fontawesome.min.css?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" rel="stylesheet" /></noscript> <link href="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/css/template.min.css?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/css/global/colors_standard.min.css?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/css/vendor/joomla-custom-elements/joomla-alert.min.css?0.2.0" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/css/user.css?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" rel="stylesheet" /> <style>:root { --hue: 214; --template-bg-light: #f0f4fb; --template-text-dark: #495057; --template-text-light: #ffffff; --template-link-color: var(--link-color); --template-special-color: #001B4C; }</style> <script src="/media/vendor/metismenujs/js/metismenujs.min.js?1.4.0" defer></script> <script src="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/js/mod_menu/menu-metismenu.min.js?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" defer></script> <script type="application/json" class="joomla-script-options new">{"bootstrap.accordion":{"#myAccordion":{"active":"article74-sliders0","isJoomla":true}},"joomla.jtext":{"ERROR":"Error","MESSAGE":"Message","NOTICE":"Notice","WARNING":"Warning","JCLOSE":"Close","JOK":"OK","JOPEN":"Open"},"system.paths":{"root":"","rootFull":"https:\/\/www.fpsregs.org\/","base":"","baseFull":"https:\/\/www.fpsregs.org\/"},"csrf.token":"f74ce3f573bfac8da3ca9869e36c54fa"}</script> <script src="/media/system/js/core.min.js?37ffe4186289eba9c5df81bea44080aff77b9684"></script> <script src="/media/templates/site/cassiopeia/js/template.min.js?ccaba463d1c5f118fc299020fa6c0b24" defer></script> <script src="/media/vendor/bootstrap/js/bootstrap-es5.min.js?5.3.2" nomodule defer></script> <script src="/media/system/js/messages-es5.min.js?c29829fd2432533d05b15b771f86c6637708bd9d" nomodule defer></script> <script src="/media/vendor/bootstrap/js/collapse.min.js?5.3.2" type="module"></script> <script src="/media/system/js/messages.min.js?7f7aa28ac8e8d42145850e8b45b3bc82ff9a6411" type="module"></script> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fpsregs.org\/index.php","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fpsregs.org\/index.php\/bulletins-and-circulars","name":"Bulletins and Circulars"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fpsregs.org\/index.php\/bulletins-and-circulars\/news-archive-2019","name":"News archive 2019"}}]}</script> </head> <body class="site com_content wrapper-static view-article no-layout no-task itemid-249"> <header class="header container-header full-width"> <div class="grid-child"> <div class="navbar-brand"> <a class="brand-logo" href="/"> <span title="Firefighters' Pension Schemes Regulations and Guidance">Firefighters' Pension Schemes Regulations and Guidance</span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="grid-child container-nav"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg" aria-label="Main Menu"> <button class="navbar-toggler navbar-toggler-right" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbar1" aria-controls="navbar1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle Navigation"> <span class="icon-menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbar1"> <ul class="mod-menu mod-menu_dropdown-metismenu metismenu mod-list "> <li class="metismenu-item item-101 level-1 default"><a href="/index.php" >Welcome</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-246 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy" >Age discrimination remedy </a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Age discrimination remedy "></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-255 level-2"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy/background" >Background</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-256 level-2"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy/hmt-consultation" >HMT consultation </a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-259 level-2"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy/implementation" >Implementation</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-265 level-2"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy/prospective-remedy" >Prospective remedy</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-271 level-2"><a href="/index.php/age-discrimination-remedy/retrospective-remedy" >Retrospective remedy</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-173 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/modified-2006-scheme-resources" >Special members of FPS 2006</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Special members of FPS 2006"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-297 level-2"><a href="/index.php/modified-2006-scheme-resources/first-options-exercise" >First Options Exercise</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-296 level-2"><a href="/index.php/modified-2006-scheme-resources/second-options-exercise" >Second Options Exercise</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-233 level-2"><a href="/index.php/modified-2006-scheme-resources/firefighter-pay-scales" >Firefighter pay scales</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-112 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/regulations" >Regulations</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Regulations"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-113 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/fps-1992-regulations" >FPS 1992 Regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-114 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/fps-2006-regulations" >FPS 2006 Regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-116 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/fps-2015-regulations" >FPS 2015 Regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-117 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/firefighters-compensation-scheme" >Firefighters' Compensation Scheme </a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-298 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/age-discrimination-remedy-regulations" >Age Discrimination Remedy Regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-299 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/special-members-of-fps-2006-regulations" >Special members of FPS 2006 Regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-182 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/consolidated-regulations" >Consolidated regulations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-194 level-2"><a href="/index.php/regulations/scheme-valuations" >Scheme valuations</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-118 level-1 active deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars" >Bulletins and Circulars</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Bulletins and Circulars"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-119 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/bulletins" >Bulletins</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-149 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/firefighters-pension-committee-fpc" >Firefighters' Pension Committee (FPC)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-121 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/fpsc-circulars" >FPSC circulars</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-273 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/news-archive-2022" >News archive 2022</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-266 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/news-archive-2021" >News archive 2021</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-258 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/news-archive-2020" >News archive 2020</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-249 level-2 current active"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/news-archive-2019" aria-current="page">News archive 2019</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-248 level-2"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars/news-archive-2018" >News archive 2018</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-120 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance" >GAD Guidance</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="GAD Guidance"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-147 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/additional-pension-benefits-apbs" >Additional pension benefits (APBs)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-148 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/age-addition-and-assumed-age-addition" >Age and assumed age addition (FPS 2015)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-124 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/cetvs" >CETVs</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-127 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/club-transfers" >Club transfers</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-128 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/commutation" >Commutation</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-133 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/divorce-pension-credit" >Divorce (pension debits and credits)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-134 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/early-retirement" >Early retirement (FPS 2006 & FPS 2015)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-165 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/gmp-indexation" >GMP indexation</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-123 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/additional-pension" >Purchase of additional pension</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-136 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/tax-charge-debits-scheme-pays" >Tax charge debits (scheme pays)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-137 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/transfers-in" >Transfers in</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-138 level-2"><a href="/index.php/gad-guidance/trivial-commutation" >Trivial commutation</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-139 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/administration-resources" >Administration Resources</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Administration Resources"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-140 level-2"><a href="/index.php/administration-resources/bite-size-training" >Bite-size training</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-180 level-2"><a href="/index.php/administration-resources/guides-and-sample-documents" >Guides and sample documents</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-150 level-2"><a href="/index.php/administration-resources/factsheets" >Factsheets</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-151 level-2"><a href="/index.php/administration-resources/training-guides" >Training guides</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-135 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape" >Legal Landscape</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Legal Landscape"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-175 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/annual-update-sis" >Annual update SIs</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-253 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/consultations" >Consultations</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-166 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr" >General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-232 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/related-legislation" >Related legislation</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-210 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/relevant-case-law" >Relevant case law</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-167 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/the-pensions-ombudsman" >The Pensions Ombudsman</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-177 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/the-pensions-regulator" >The Pensions Regulator </a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-223 level-2"><a href="/index.php/legal-landscape/the-pensions-regulator-governance-and-administration-survey" >The Pensions Regulator - Governance and Administration survey</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-234 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/events" >Events</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Events"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-241 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/data" >Data Conference</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-236 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/fire-pensions-annual-conference" >Fire pensions annual conference</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-264 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/fps-coffee-mornings" >FPS coffee mornings</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-242 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/fps-2006-special-members" >FPS 2006 special members</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-239 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/governance" >Governance</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-237 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/ill-health-and-injury" >Ill-health and injury</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-240 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/local-pension-board-wrap-up-training" >Local Pension Board wrap-up training</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-238 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/pensionable-pay" >Pensionable pay</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-235 level-2"><a href="/index.php/events/pensions-tax" >Pensions tax</a></li></ul></li><li class="metismenu-item item-126 level-1"><a href="/index.php/contact-us" >Contact Us</a></li><li class="metismenu-item item-269 level-1 deeper parent"><a href="/index.php/archive" >Archive</a><button class="mm-collapsed mm-toggler mm-toggler-link" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Archive"></button><ul class="mm-collapse"><li class="metismenu-item item-226 level-2"><a href="/index.php/archive/covid-19-and-the-fps" >COVID-19 and the FPS </a></li></ul></li></ul> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class="site-grid"> <div class="container-banner full-width"> <div id="mod-custom90" class="mod-custom custom"> <p><img src="/images/banners/bulletins.jpg" alt="Bulletins" width="950" /></p></div> </div> <div class="grid-child container-component"> <nav class="mod-breadcrumbs__wrapper" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol class="mod-breadcrumbs breadcrumb px-3 py-2"> <li class="mod-breadcrumbs__here float-start"> You are here:   </li> <li class="mod-breadcrumbs__item breadcrumb-item"><a href="/index.php" class="pathway"><span>Home</span></a></li><li class="mod-breadcrumbs__item breadcrumb-item"><a href="/index.php/bulletins-and-circulars" class="pathway"><span>Bulletins and Circulars</span></a></li><li class="mod-breadcrumbs__item breadcrumb-item active"><span>News archive 2019</span></li> </ol> </nav> <div id="system-message-container" aria-live="polite"></div> <main> <div class="com-content-article item-page" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"> <meta itemprop="inLanguage" content="en-GB"> <div class="page-header"> <h1 itemprop="headline"> News archive 2019 </h1> </div> <div itemprop="articleBody" class="com-content-article__body">  <div id="myAccordion" class="accordion" role="tablist"> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders1-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders1" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders1" role="tab"> 18 December 2019: McCloud and Sargeant Update </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders1" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders1-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><strong>Claimants</strong></p> <p>The Employment Tribunal has made an interim order on the Firefighters' transitional protections claims hearing. An employer’s circular has been sent to FRAs informing of the detail which is available <a title="FRS National Employers circular EMP/8/19" href="https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/EMP 8 19 - FPS 2015 CMPH - Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders2-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders2" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders2" role="tab"> 3 December 2019: McCloud and Sargeant Update </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders2" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders2-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p>We understand that stakeholders are keen to hear an update with regards to the effect of the Sargeant and McCloud case for the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. As you will appreciate this is a legal case with ongoing remedy proceedings nevertheless we thought it might be helpful to provide a brief update of how the remedy process in related to the Sargeant and McCloud case will be handled.</p> <p><strong>Claimants</strong></p> <p>As you will know FBU on behalf of their members (known as the claimants) brought a legal challenge against the respective UK Governmental bodies and the Employers, Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) (together known as the respondents) on whether the provisions in the 2015 Fire Pension Scheme which provide protections based on age to remain in the former final salary scheme are age discriminatory (other claims were made but it is the age discrimination claim which is the primary one).</p> <p>As they were named as respondents in the case, FRAs had to submit a defence to the legal challenge. This defence has been managed collectively on behalf of the UK FRAs by the LGA under the auspices of the National Employers and decisions have been taken by a central steering group made of FRA representatives.</p> <p>In December 2018 the Court of Appeal found that the transitional protections unlawfully discriminated on age and the case has therefore returned to the employment tribunal for it to determine remedy. A case management hearing in the remedy proceedings will be held on 18 December 2019.</p> <p><strong>Nominated contacts at each FRA have been kept informed as to the progress of the case and decisions made by the steering group.</strong></p> <p><strong>Non-Claimants</strong></p> <p>Not all Fire Pension Schemes (FPS) members are claimants under the case bought by FBU and therefore these members are known as non-claimants. The Government will need to address age-based differences in treatment for those non-claimants across all the FPSs through consultation and changes to scheme rules to ensure that for non-claimants there is no unlawful treatment on the basis of age. The Home Office have recently informed us that it is their intention to do this through consultation with the <a title="Firefighters' Pension Scheme Advisory Board England - board membership" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/index.php/about-the-board/board-membership" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Firefighters' Pension Scheme Advisory Board England </a>and it is expected that this will progress alongside the employment tribunal remedy process in the Sargeant case.</p> <p>In order for the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) to respond to this consultation it is expected they will form a working group of stakeholders to advise them, this will be drawn from existing <a title="SAB committee members" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/index.php/board-committees" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SAB committee members</a> and other stakeholders. <strong>We expect that working group to be formed after the next board meeting on 9 January 2020.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders3-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders3" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders3" role="tab"> 2 December 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders3" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders3-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS bulletin 26 - November 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin-26/Bulletin-26.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FPS bulletin 26 - November 2019</a> has been published.</p> <p>Attention is required this month for the <a title="ABS 2019 survey" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/index.php/board-publications/board-surveys" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">ABS 2019 survey</a>. There are different versions for FRAs and administrators to complete, and we invite one reply from each FRA and one per FRA from administrators. The deadline is 10 January 2020.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders4-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders4" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders4" role="tab"> 30 October 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders4" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders4-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS bulletin 25 - October 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin25/Bulletin25.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FPS bulletin 25 - October 2019</a> has been published.</p> <p>We have issued a number of useful resources this month, including a factsheet on <a title="TPR’s six key processes factsheet" href="http://fpsregs.org/images/admin/TPR-6-key-processes.v1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">TPR’s six key processes </a>and updated informal <a title="guidance on data scoring for TPR 2019" href="http://fpsregs.org/images/admin/TPR-data-scoring-2019-clean.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">guidance on data scoring</a> ahead of the 2019 scheme return. The eligibility to join factsheet has been updated, and a version for Wales added.</p> <p>Items of interest to finance colleagues include guidance on forecasting for the top-up grant and information about the Fire Finance Network.</p> <p>For feedback or suggestions for content, please email <a title="bluelight.pensions@local.gov.uk" href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abc9c7decec7c2ccc3df85dbcec5d8c2c4c5d8ebc7c4c8cac785ccc4dd85dec0" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88eae4fdede4e1efe0fca6f8ede6fbe1e7e6fbc8e4e7ebe9e4a6efe7fea6fde3">[email protected]</span></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders5-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders5" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders5" role="tab"> 30 September 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders5" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders5-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS bulletin 24 - September 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin24/Bulletin24.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FPS bulletin 24 - September 2019</a> has been published.</p> <p>There are a number of important updates in this month’s edition, including confirmation of the new contractor to provide the Board of Medical Referees (BMR) to consider medical appeals and a reminder to provide up to date contact details for HMRC.</p> <p>We have also published a <a title="training survey 2019 research report " href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Surveys/Training2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">research report </a>into our training provision, which will be used to inform our training plan for 2020. Watch this space!</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders6-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders6" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders6" role="tab"> 2 September 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders6" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders6-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS Bulletin 23 - August 2019 " href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin23/Bulletin23.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FPS Bulletin 23 - August 2019 </a>has been published.</p> <p>This month we are delighted to release the final report in the review of scheme administration costs and effectiveness. The report, commissioned by the SAB, has been prepared by Aon and you can read the full findings here <a title="Appendix 1. Firefighters Admin Benchmark report - Final - Issued" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin23/Appendix1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Appendix 1. Firefighters Admin Benchmark report - Final - Issued</a>. We would like to thank all those who participated in the surveys and publicised the member questionnaire.</p> <p>There are a number of other important updates in the August edition, including an update on data that was excluded by GAD for the purposes of setting the 2016 valuation assumptions and a timely reminder about the recording and reporting of breaches of the law.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders7-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders7" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders7" role="tab"> 31 July 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders7" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders7-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS Bulletin 22 - July 2019 " href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin22/Bulletin22.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FPS Bulletin 22 - July 2019 </a>has been published. To celebrate the second anniversary of the bulletins, we’re pleased to bring you a very special “take-over” edition, with articles on various topics from pensions tax to cyber-crime, and almost everything in between. Thank you to those organisations and individuals who have contributed.</p> <p>You will also find our usual updates on FPS and across the wider landscape.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders8-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders8" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders8" role="tab"> 28 June 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders8" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders8-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><strong>FPS 2015 transitional protections challenge update</strong></p> <p>As detailed in <a title="FPS Bulletin 20 – May 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin20/Bulletin20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">FPS Bulletin 20 – May 2019</a>, the outcome of the Government’s application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court was expected in July. This decision has been made earlier than expected and on 27 June 2019 the Supreme Court has denied the Government’s request for an appeal in the transitional protections case in respect of age discrimination and pension protection.</p> <p>We are aware that members may have a number of questions around the on-going legal challenge to the transitional provisions of FPS 2015. While we have covered this in-depth for FRAs in previous <a title="FPS Bulletin 15 - December 2018" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin15/Bulletin15.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">bulletins</a> , we are preparing a briefing note covering the full background to the case and each stage of the challenge, which can be shared with members. The note will be published as soon as possible.</p> <p><strong>Until the remedy has been determined by the employment tribunal and any regulations changed as a result, we cannot speculate how future benefits may change. Therefore any retirement projections, Annual Benefit Statements as at 31 March 2019, or pensions advice must be based on the regulations as they currently stand.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders9-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders9" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders9" role="tab"> 31 May 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders9" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders9-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS Bulletin 20 - May 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin20/Bulletin20.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">FPS Bulletin 20 - May 2019</a> has been published. There are a number of important items in this month’s edition, including <a title="pensionable pay factsheet" href="http://fpsregs.org/images/admin/Penpayv1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">guidance on pensionable pay</a> which contains actions for FRAs to consider.</p> <p>We are also seeking your views on the FPS training provision and would be grateful if you could take this short, 10 minute survey <a title="FPA training survey - May 2019" href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FPS_training_survey" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FPS_training_survey</a>. The link will stay open for one month until the next bulletin.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders10-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders10" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders10" role="tab"> 30 April 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders10" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders10-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p><a title="FPS Bulletin 19 - April 2019" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin19/Bulletin19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">FPS Bulletin 19 - April 2019</a> has been published. The bulletin contains a number of important updates and some items require action. Articles covering the exit cap consultation and our <a title="ABS 2018 survey research report" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Surveys/ABS2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">research report</a> on the 2018 ABS survey may be of particular interest.</p> <p>Find out about new <a title="factsheets" href="http://fpsregs.org/index.php/administration-resources/factsheets" target="_blank" rel="alternate noopener noreferrer">factsheets</a> we have issued and catch up with all our usual features.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders11-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders11" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders11" role="tab"> 28 February 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders11" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders11-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p>On 28 February 2019, GAD published the final reports in relation to the 2016 valuation, including the <a title="scheme specific employer contribution rates 2019 - 2023" href="http://fpsregs.org/images/Valuation/SSrates2016FV.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">scheme specific employer contribution rates</a> that will apply for the implementation period April 2019 to March 2023.</p> <p>The full suite of reports can be accessed on the new dedicated <a title="FPS valuations" href="http://fpsregs.org/index.php/regulations/scheme-valuations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">valuation</a> page of this site.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders12-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders12" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders12" role="tab"> 30 January 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders12" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders12-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p>On 30 January 2019, HM Treasury issued a <a title="2016 Valuation - HMT written ministerial statement" href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-01-30/HCWS1286/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">written ministerial statement </a>with regards to the effect of the recent judgments on the McCloud and Sargeant cases on the valuation.</p> <p>As a result of this announcement, the cost cap rectification process for the Firefighter Pension Scheme will be suspended, pending the outcome to the Government’s appeal.</p> <p>HM Treasury has also advised that the employer rate that Fire and Rescue Authorities pay towards firefighter pensions should be increased as of 1 April 2019. Following this announcement GAD are able to calculate the individual employer contribution rate for the four firefighter schemes which we will confirm these rates as soon as possible.</p> <p><strong>There will be no changes to firefighter pension schemes member’s contribution rate or the accrual rate at this stage. There will also be no change to the member contribution banding rates, therefore administrators should continue to use the bands that came into effect April 2018.</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders13-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders13" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders13" role="tab"> 21 January 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders13" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders13-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p>The Scheme Advisory Board in partnership with Aon has launched the member survey for the FPS benchmarking exercise with a deadline of 28 February 2019. More information about the project can be found <a title="Admin and benchmarking review - SAB" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/index.php/board-publications/administration-and-benchmarking-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p> <p>We are interested to hear from all member stakeholders, whether they be active, deferred, pensioners or dependents. The survey can be completed at the following link <a title="FPS member survey" href="http://bit.ly/FPS-Memb-Survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://bit.ly/FPS-Memb-Survey</a> and should take around 5 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.</p> <p><img class="pull-center" src="/images/Images/Memberposter.png" alt="" width="165" height="248" /></p> <p>The data will be collected by Aon to feed into a report to benchmark the standard of service across the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme in England.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item "> <h2 class="accordion-header" id="article74-sliders14-heading"> <button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#article74-sliders14" aria-expanded="" aria-controls="article74-sliders14" role="tab"> 11 January 2019 </button> </h2> <div id="article74-sliders14" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="article74-sliders14-heading" role="tabpanel"> <div class="accordion-body"> <p>Further to the letter issued by the Home Office on 31 October regarding the <a title="review of scheme factors" href="http://www.fpsboard.org/images/PDF/Bulletin13/Appendix1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">review of scheme factors</a> due to the change to the SCAPE discount rate, GAD has provided replacement factor tables to update the <a title="Added Years/Added Pension factors" href="http://fpsregs.org/index.php/gad-guidance/additional-pension" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Added Years/Added Pension </a>and <a title="CPD factors" href="http://fpsregs.org/index.php/gad-guidance/additional-pension-benefits-apbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CPD</a> factors for the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) with immediate effect.</p> <p>These factors replace those currently in use.</p> <p>CETV and certain other calculations should have been suspended on 31 October 2018. Such calculations can now recommence using the <a title="new CETV factors" href="http://fpsregs.org/index.php/gad-guidance/cetvs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new factors</a>, including on any stockpiled cases. For all other types of calculation, including early retirement, FRAs should follow the usual practice of changing their methods of calculation from the time when new factors are circulated.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> </div> <footer class="container-footer footer full-width"> <div class="grid-child"> <div id="mod-custom138" class="mod-custom custom"> <p>© 2023 Firefighters' Pension Schemes Regulations and Guidance</p> <p><a href="https://www.webdigi.co.uk">Web development</a> by Webdigi</p></div> <div id="mod-custom139" class="mod-custom custom"> <p class="pull-right" style="clear: both;"><a style="clear: both;" href="/index.php/accessibility-statement">Accessibility Statement</a></p></div> </div> </footer> <a href="#top" id="back-top" class="back-to-top-link" aria-label="Back to Top"> <span class="icon-arrow-up icon-fw" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body> </html>