Access to fire service specific pension scheme for firefighters (control)

Conference acknowledges that as members of the Local Government Pension Scheme, firefighters (Control) are required to work until they reach state pension age, with the Government planning further increases in state pension age between 2026 and 2028.

Given the stress and additional pressure being placed upon firefighters (Control) it is obvious that many of our Members, especially those with longer service, may be forced to leave their jobs early and therefore may lose a portion of their pension as a result.

These Control Members, like those in the Firefighters Pension Scheme, will have planned their retirement around the rules of their pension scheme when they joined the fire and rescue service. Current Fire Brigades Union policy, as affirmed in the Executive Council (EC) Policy Statement to Special Conference in 2012, (and re-affirmed at Conference 2017) is “that Emergency Fire Control Members should be granted access to a Fire Service specific pension scheme”.

Conference recognises that there have been discussions with the Government in the past. Conference believes that now is the time to press forward towards achieving this aim.

Conference calls upon the EC to work towards gaining access for firefighters (Control) to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme with a normal pension age in line with other operational firefighters.