Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2026: FPS 1992, 2006 and 2015 Explained
Firefighters can belong to one of three pension schemes depending on when they joined, plus the McCloud remedy choice for affected years. Here's how contributions, accrual and retirement ages compare.
Three schemes, one workforce
Because of successive pension reforms, firefighters currently serving may be members of one of three different schemes, depending on their length of service and age:
| Scheme | Broadly applies to | Type |
|---|---|---|
| FPS 1992 | Joined before April 2006 | Final salary |
| FPS 2006 | Joined between April 2006 and April 2015 | Final salary |
| FPS 2015 | Service from April 2015 (subject to transitional protection/McCloud remedy) | Career average (CARE) |
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Open Pension calculatorWhy firefighters' pensions were central to the McCloud case
When public service pension schemes moved to career average arrangements from 2015, older members close to retirement were given "transitional protection" — allowing them to stay in their legacy final-salary scheme rather than move to the new CARE scheme. Firefighters' unions were among the first to successfully challenge this in the courts (alongside judges), arguing it unlawfully discriminated against younger members based on age, since only older members kept the (often more valuable) legacy scheme.
Normal pension age — a major difference between schemes
| Scheme | Normal Pension Age |
|---|---|
| FPS 1992 | 55 (early retirement possible from 50 with 25+ years' service, at a reduced rate) |
| FPS 2006 | 55 |
| FPS 2015 | Linked to State Pension age (currently 66, rising over time) |
This gap has been particularly contentious for firefighters given the physically demanding nature of active firefighting duties — a much later normal pension age under FPS 2015 raises real questions about firefighters' ability to remain in frontline roles into their late 60s.
Accrual and benefit structure
FPS 1992 and FPS 2006 (final salary)
Pension is calculated with reference to final pensionable pay near retirement, multiplied by an accrual fraction for each year of pensionable service, subject to maximum service limits — broadly similar in structure to other legacy public service final salary schemes.
FPS 2015 (career average)
A proportion of pensionable pay is added to the member's pension account each scheme year, with the whole accrued amount revalued annually, typically in line with average earnings or CPI depending on the specific revaluation rule in force for that year.
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Open State Pension Forecast calculatorContribution rates
All three schemes use banded employee contribution rates based on actual pensionable pay, broadly similar in principle to the LGPS and NHS Pension Scheme approach — higher earners pay a higher percentage. Exact bands and rates differ between the legacy schemes and FPS 2015, and are reviewed periodically, so members should check the current Fire Fighters' Pension Scheme contribution table for precise 2026/27 figures.
Ill-health retirement
Given the physical demands and injury risks inherent in firefighting, all three schemes provide ill-health retirement benefits, generally structured in tiers:
- Lower tier: the firefighter cannot continue in their firefighting role but could do other gainful work.
- Upper tier: the firefighter is permanently incapable of any regular employment.
The tier awarded affects the level of ill-health pension paid, reflecting the severity and permanence of the incapacity.
Firefighters' pension and the State Pension
The occupational firefighters' pension is entirely separate from the State Pension, which is built up through National Insurance contributions in the normal way. Most firefighters will therefore have both an occupational firefighters' pension and a State Pension in retirement, paid independently of each other.
Practical points for firefighters
- Check which scheme(s) your service falls under, and whether you're affected by the McCloud remedy deferred choice.
- Understand the significant difference in Normal Pension Age between legacy schemes (55) and FPS 2015 (linked to State Pension age) when planning your retirement.
- Request an up-to-date benefit statement covering all relevant scheme periods before making retirement decisions.
- Take independent financial advice given the complexity of comparing legacy and 2015 scheme benefits under the McCloud remedy.
Use the pension calculator as a general planning tool, alongside official Fire Fighters' Pension Scheme guidance for scheme-specific figures.
Frequently asked questions
Which firefighters' pension scheme am I in?
It depends when you joined and your age at the 2015 reforms: firefighters who joined before April 2006 are typically in FPS 1992, those who joined between 2006 and 2015 are typically in FPS 2006, and most service from April 2015 onwards is in the FPS 2015 scheme, subject to McCloud remedy choices for the 2015-2022 period.
What is the McCloud remedy for firefighters?
The McCloud case originated partly from firefighters' pension litigation. It found that transitional protections letting older firefighters stay in their legacy scheme (1992 or 2006) after 2015, while younger firefighters moved to the 2015 scheme, were unlawfully age discriminatory. Affected firefighters get a choice between legacy and 2015 scheme benefits for service between April 2015 and March 2022.
What is the normal retirement age in FPS 1992 vs FPS 2015?
FPS 1992 has a normal pension age of 55 (with an option to retire from 50 with reduced benefits after 25 years' service). FPS 2015 links normal pension age to State Pension age, which is significantly later — a major driver of the McCloud litigation given the physically demanding nature of firefighting.
How much do firefighters contribute to their pension?
Contribution rates are banded by pensionable pay, similar in structure to other public service schemes, and vary between the legacy and 2015 schemes — check the current Fire Fighters' Pension Scheme member contribution table for exact 2026/27 rates.
Do firefighters get an ill-health pension if they can't continue firefighting duties?
Yes, all three schemes include ill-health retirement provisions, typically with different tiers depending on whether the firefighter can undertake any gainful employment or only cannot continue in the fire and rescue service specifically.
Is firefighters' pension linked to the State Pension?
The occupational firefighters' pension is separate from and additional to the State Pension, which firefighters build up through their National Insurance record in the normal way alongside their firefighters' pension scheme membership.
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