Pensions
Find out more about the various pension scheme for firefighters and support staff at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. This information will be relevant to current and former employees. Different staff members are covered by different pension schemes, depending on their contracts.
If you are, or were, a firefighter (or other applicable Grey Book role), please see the information for the 'Firefighter Pension Scheme'.
If you are, or were, a member of staff on Green Book conditions, it's likely you're covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Firefighter Pension Schemes
Membership of FPS 2015 is open to any person taking up employment as a firefighter with a fire and rescue authority on or after 1 April 2015 on terms under which he or she is, or may be, required to engage in firefighting, and whose role includes resolving operational incidents, or leading and supporting others in the resolution of such incidents. Enrolment into the Scheme is automatic on appointment.
Visit the website for FPS Members
To login to the Local Pensions Partership Administration members portal, click here.
Table 1. FPS 2015 contribution rate from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 (percentage of pensionable pay)
| Pensionable Pay | FPS 2015 |
|---|---|
| Up to £27,818 | 11.0% |
| £27,819 to £51,515 | 12.9% |
| £51,516 to £142,500 | 13.5% |
| £142,501 or more | 14.5% |
Amendments to the Firefighters Pension Scheme update - November 2018
The Internal Dispute and Resolution procedure (IDRP) is a process that can be used when an individual is not satisfied with a decision made regarding their pension.
View the IDRP procedure at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
The pension discretions policy above confers no contractual rights and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority retains the right to change the policy at any time. Decisions will be based on the version of the policy in force at the time an event takes place.
Remedy
Remedy
For more information about Remedy and the McCloud/Sargeant ruling, visit the FPS website here.
Need to know more?
Watch this short video to help pensioner members understand the timescales around remedy.
Any questions?
For all FAQs around Remedy, download the document on the FPS site here.
Matthews
Local Government Pension Scheme
The LGPS is one of the largest pension schemes in the UK. It is a defined benefit pension scheme which means your pension is based on your salary and how long you pay into the Scheme.
Visit the website for LGPS Members in England and Wales
To login to Bedfordshire Pension Fund portal to view your pension information, visit the Bedfordshire Pension Fund Home Page
With effect from 01/04/2023 the LGPS bands/rates are as below:
| If your actual pensionable pay is: | You pay a contribution rate of: |
|---|---|
| Up to £16,500 | 5.5% |
| £16,501 to £25,900 | 5.8% |
| £25,901 to £42,100 | 5.8% |
| £42,101 to £53,300 | 6.5% |
| £53,301 to £74,700 | 8.5% |
| £74,701 to £105,900 | 9.9% |
| £105,901 to £124,800 | 10.5% |
| £124,801 to £187,200 | 11.4% |
| £187,201 or more | 12.5% |
The pension discretions policy above confers no contractual rights and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority retains the right to change the policy at any time. Decisions will be based on the version of the policy in force at the time an event takes place.
Making a complaint
If you have a complaint or dispute concerning your workplace or personal pension arrangements you should contact:
The Pensions Ombudsman
Telephone: 0800 917 4487
Website: www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk
If you have general requests for information or guidance concerning your pension arrangements contact:
The Money and Pensions Service can be contacted at:
Email: contact@maps.org.uk
Telephone: 01159 659570
Website: https://Moneyandpensionsservice.org.uk
How can The Pensions Ombudsman help me?
The Pensions Ombudsman solely deals with pension complaints. It can help if you have a complaint or dispute about the administration (including transfers/conversion) and/or management of personal and occupational pensions.
There is no financial limit on the amount of money that The Pensions Ombudsman can make a party award you. Its determinations are legally binding on all the parties and are enforceable in court.
Contact with The Pensions Ombudsman about a complaint needs to be made within three years of when the event(s) you are complaining about happened – or, if later, within three years of when you first knew about it (or ought to have known about it). There is discretion for those time limits to be extended.
The Pensions Ombudsman can be contacted at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 4PU.
Tel: 0800 917 4487
Email: enquiries@pensions-ombudsman.org.uk
Website: www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk
You can also submit a complaint form online: www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/our-service/make-a-complaint/.
If you have general requests for information or guidance concerning your pension arrangements contact:
Money and Pensions Service, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP
Email: contact@maps.org.uk
Telephone: 01159 659570
Be warned of pension scams
Don’t let a scammer enjoy your retirement.
Pension scams can be hard to spot. Scammers can be articulate and financially knowledgeable, with credible websites, testimonials and materials that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. Scammers usually contact people out of the blue via phone, email or text, or even advertise online. Scammers will make false claims to gain your trust.
4 simple steps to protect yourself from pension scams:
Step 1 - Reject unexpected offers If you’re contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, chances are it’s high risk or a scam. If you get a cold call about your pension, the safest thing to do is to hang up. If you get unsolicited offers via email or text you should simply ignore them.
Step 2 - Check who you’re dealing with.
- Check the FCA Register - Make sure that anyone offering you advice or other financial services is FCA authorised.
- Check they are not a clone - A common scam is to pretend to be a genuine FCA authorised firm (called a ‘clone firm’). Always use the contact details on the Register, not the details the firm gives you.
Step 3 - Don’t be rushed or pressured. Take your time to make all the checks you need – even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’. Be wary of promised returns that sound too good to be true and don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision.
Step 4 - Get impartial information or advice You should seriously consider seeking financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements.