Fit for purpose occupational pension

Conference congratulates the Executive Council, National Officers and the FBU legal team for the huge amount of work and determination which brought about the landmark ruling on the transitional protection court case.

Whilst this victory should not be diminished, we should remember thousands of Members are faced with the possibilities of remaining in the 2015 scheme or returning to the 2006 scheme or modified scheme.

These pension schemes, whilst acknowledging some exceptions in parts of the UK with devolved governments, are not fit for purpose or schemes fit for our occupation. The Government’s own review agreed that in the best case, 23% of current firefighters won’t be able to maintain the required level of fitness until 60, whilst in the worst case 92% will not be able to do so. To have any pension scheme for our Members that has a normal pension age above 55, or arbitrary and severe penalties for retiring earlier than 60 is simply unacceptable.

We must not allow a two tier workforce to exist in relation to pension schemes and retirement age.

Conference therefore demands that the Executive Council now pursue every possible avenue to reduce the NPA to 55 without financial detriment in all of the firefighters pension schemes, including consideration of industrial action.