The Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

2015 No. 422

Fire And Rescue Services

Pensions

The Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Made

17th December 2015

Coming into operation

18th January 2016

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in exercise of the powers conferred by article 10(1), (3), (4) and (5) of the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984(1), and now vested in it(2) and with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel in accordance with article 10(1) of that Order makes the following Order:

Citation, commencement and effect

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) this Order comes into operation on 18th January 2016 and has effect from 31st March 2015.

(3) The amendments made by the following provisions have effect from on 1st April 2015—

(a) article 2 and Schedule 1; and

(b) paragraphs 1(1), 2(1) and (3), 3(1), (2) and (3), 4 and 5 of Schedule 2 and article 3 so far as it relates to those paragraphs.

Amendment of the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

2.  The Annex to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007(3) is amended in accordance with Schedule 1.

Amendment of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

3.  The Annex to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007(4) is amended in accordance with Schedule 2.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 17th December 2015.

Julie Thompson

A senior officer of the

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Department of Finance and Personnel approves this Order.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance and Personnel on 17th December 2015.

Emer Morelli

A senior officer of the

Department of Finance and Personnel

Article 2

SCHEDULE 1 Amendment of the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

Amendments to Part 1 (general provisions)

1.—(1) Part 1 is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a) after the definition of “the 2006 Order”, insert—

““the 2015 Regulations” means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015(5);

“the 2015 Scheme” means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 set out in the 2015 Regulations;”;

(b) after the definition of “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert—

““active member of the 2015 Scheme” has the meaning given in regulation 28 (active membership) of the 2015 Regulations;

“active member’s account” means the account established under regulation 40 (establishment of active member’s account) of the 2015 Regulations;”;

(c) after the definitions of “disabled”, “disablement” and “permanent disablement”, insert—

““eligible child’s pension” has the meaning given in regulation 92 (eligible child’s pension) of the 2015 Regulations;

“final pay” has the meaning given in regulation 101 (meaning of “final pay”) of the 2015 Regulations;”;

(d) after the definition of “injury”, insert—

““member of the 2015 Scheme” has the same meaning as “member” in regulation 3 (interpretation) of the 2015 Regulations;”;

(e) for the definition of “normal pension age”, substitute—

““normal pension age” in relation to employees of the Board appointed on terms under which they are or may be required to engage in firefighting—

(a)

in relation to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme means 55;

(b)

in relation to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme means 60;

(c)

in relation to the 2015 Scheme means 55;”;

(f) in the definitions of “pensionable pay”, for sub-paragraph (c), substitute—

“(c) in relation to a person who is a member of the 2015 Scheme, shall be construed in accordance with regulation 26 (pensionable pay) of the 2015 Regulations;

(d) in the case of a person who is not a member of any of these schemes, shall be construed in accordance with rule 11(6) of this Part;”;

(g) in the definition of “pensionable service”, at the end, insert—

“(c) in relation to the 2015 Scheme, means the continuous period of pensionable service, in relation to an active member’s account for the scheme employment in respect of which the award under this scheme is payable and any of the following types of service that have been added to, or transferred to, that account—

(i) if applicable, any periods of pensionable service in relation to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme that relates to the person’s employment which is the same as, or most similar to, the employment in respect of which the award is payable;

(ii) if applicable, any periods of pensionable service relating to any transfer value payments accepted under Part 10 (transfers) of the 2015 Regulations in respect of the person’s accrued rights under another occupational pension scheme;

(iii) if applicable, any periods of service relating to any pension account entries transferred in accordance with regulation 157 (transfer of pension account entries) of the 2015 Regulations; and

(iv) if applicable, any periods of service relating to an added pension account established under regulation 47 (establishment of added pension account) of the 2015 Regulations relating to the member’s scheme employment in respect of which the award is payable, such periods of service are to be calculated in accordance with such guidance as is provided for the purpose by the Government Actuary.”;

(h) for the definition of “relevant service”, substitute—

““relevant service”, except in rule 1 of Part 7 (servicemen) and rule 1 of Part 7A(7) (reservists), means service which either was, or would have been, reckonable as pensionable service but for—

(a)

an election under article 59 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(b)

an election under article 8 of Part 2 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(c)

the exercise of an option not to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 (pensionable service) of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations;

(d)

a failure to elect under—

(i)

article 58 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(ii)

article 64 of Part 11 of the New Firefighters Pension Scheme;

(iii)

regulation 121(3) (contributions during child-related leave) of the 2015 Regulations; or

(e)

a failure to exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 (opting into this scheme) of the 2015 Regulations;”;

(i) after the definition of “retire”, insert—

““scheme employment” has the meaning given in regulation 15 (scheme employment) of the 2015 Regulations;”.

(3) In rule 11(1) (determining pensionable pay in certain cases)—

(a) after the words “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, where they occur for the first time, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;

(b) for sub-paragraph (c), substitute—

“(c) regulation 26 of the 2015 Regulations in the case of a person who—

(i) exercised an option not to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations; or

(ii) did not exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations; and

(d) article 61 of Part 11 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme where an election had been made at different times under the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(e) except where sub-paragraph (d) applies, regulation 26 of the 2015 Regulations, in the case of a person who had at different times, in relation to all of the schemes (namely, the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and the 2015 Scheme), or a combination of any two of them—

(i) made an election referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or sub-paragraph (b); or

(ii) exercised or not exercised an option referred to in sub-paragraph (c),

as the case may be.”;

(c) after paragraph (3), insert—

“(3A) Where, in accordance with paragraph (1), the definition of pensionable pay is to be construed in the case of a person in accordance with the 2015 Scheme, the award must be calculated on the basis of the pay which would have been the final pay if he had not, in respect of sub-paragraph (c)(i), exercised an option; or in respect of sub-paragraph (c)(ii) failed to exercise an option.”.

Amendment of Part 2 (injury awards and duty-related compensation)

2.—(1) Part 2 is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 3 (compensation for death or permanent incapacity while on duty), in paragraph (8), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.

(3) In rule 4 (commutation of small compensatory pensions), in paragraph (1)(b), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (pension credit member’s entitlement to pension)”, insert “or regulation 113 of the 2015 Regulations (entitlement to pension credit members’ pension)”.

Amendment of Part 3 (awards on death: spouses and civil partners)

3.—(1) Part 3 is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1 (special award for spouse or civil partner)—

(a) in paragraph (3)—

(i) for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “or his final pensionable pay or his final pay, as the case may be”;

(ii) in paragraph (3)(a)(ii), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (ill-health award)”, insert “or regulation 73 of the 2015 Regulations”;

(b) in paragraph (4), for “as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, substitute “his final pensionable pay or his final pay, as the case may be”.

(3) In rule 4 (limitation where spouse or civil partner is living apart), for paragraph (1A)(8), substitute—

“(1A) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person—

(a) who is a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(b) who first takes up employment with the Board on or after 6th April 2006 and is entitled to be a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, but elects not to pay pension contributions;

(c) who is a member of the 2015 Scheme; or

(d) who is eligible to be an active member of the 2015 Scheme and—

(i) exercises an option not to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations; or

(ii) does not exercise an option to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations.”.

(4) In rule 5 (effect of new relationship), for paragraph (3), substitute—

“(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to a person—

(a) who is a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(b) who first takes up employment with the Board on or after 6th April 2006 and is entitled to be a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, but elects not to pay pension contributions;

(c) who is a member of the 2015 Scheme; or

(d) who is eligible to be an active member of the 2015 Scheme and—

(i) exercises an option not to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations; or

(ii) does not exercise an option to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations.”.

(5) In rule 6 (amount of survivor’s pension: special cases), for paragraph (1), substitute—

“(1) This rule applies in relation to a person—

(a) who is a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme on the day on which he dies;

(b) in respect of whom an election under article 8(1) of Part 2 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme not to make pension contributions has effect on the day on which he dies;

(c) who is a member of the 2015 Scheme on the day on which he dies; or

(d) who is eligible to be an active member of the 2015 Scheme and—

(i) has exercised an option not to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations which has effect of the day on which he dies; or

(ii) has not exercised an option to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations of the day on which he dies.”.

Amendment of Part 5 (awards on death: additional provisions)

4.  In Part 5 in rule 5 (increase of pensions and allowances during first 13 weeks)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (2)(c), insert—

“and

(d) any eligible child’s pension under the 2015 Regulations,”;

(b) in paragraph (5), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or an eligible child’s pension under the 2015 Regulations”;

(c) in paragraph (7), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.

Amendment of Part 7 (servicemen)

5.  In Part 7 in rule 2 (awards to servicemen), in paragraph (3)(b), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.

Amendment of Part 7A (reservists)

6.—(1) Part 7A is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1 (interpretation of Part 7A), in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.

(3) In rule 2 (awards to reservists)—

(a) in paragraph (2), for “has effect”, substitute, “and regulation 73 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) of the 2015 Regulations have effect”.

(b) for paragraph (3)(a), substitute—

“(a) pay him, instead of an ill-health pension under article 12 of Part 3 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or under regulation 73 of the 2015 Regulations, a pension at the rate of one twelfth of his final pensionable pay or his final pay, as the case may be, and”.

(4) In rule 3 (awards on death of reservists), at the end of paragraph (2) insert “or increase any pension or eligible child’s pension payable under Chapter 3 of Part 6 of the 2015 Regulations.”.

Amendment of Part 8 (special cases)

7.  In Part 8 in rule 2 (award for or in relation to a volunteer firefighter)—

(a) in paragraph (2) after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;

(b) for paragraph (3), substitute—

“(3) The following provisions apply in relation to the awards to which a person, by virtue of paragraph (2), may be entitled—

(a) articles 18 (commutation – general provision), 20 (allocation) and 21 (limitation of commuted or allocated portion) of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(b) article 19 (commutation: general) or article 21 (allocation of pension) of Part 3 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme;

(c) regulation 117 (commutation of part of pension) or Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations.”;

(c) for paragraph (4), substitute—

“(4) Subject to paragraph (4A)—

(a) a person to whom paragraph (1) applies shall be treated for the purposes of article 15 (ill-health awards) of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme as having been a regular firefighter falling within the description in paragraph (10), and articles 18 (commutation – general provision), 20 (allocation), 21 (limitation of commuted or allocated portion), 80 (review of ill-health and certain deferred pensions), 81 (consequences of review) and 82 (reduction in case of default) of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which he is thus entitled;

(b) if a person to whom paragraph (1) applies—

(i) has become a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, article 19 or 21 of Part 3 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, article 49 of Part 9 of that Scheme (review of ill-health pension) and article 50 of that Part (consequences of review) shall apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which he is thus entitled;

(ii) has become a member of the 2015 Scheme, regulation 117 (commutation of part of pension), Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5, regulation 76 (review of ill-health award or early payment of retirement pension) and regulation 77 (consequences of review) of the 2015 Regulations shall apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which he is thus entitled.”;

(d) in paragraph (4A)(9)—

(i) after the words “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, where they occur for the first time, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;

(ii) after the words “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (award on ill-health retirement)”, insert “or under regulation 73 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) of the 2015 Regulations”.

Amendment of Part 9 (review, withdrawal and forfeiture of awards)

8.  In Part 9 in rule 2 (reduction of award in case of default)—

(a) after paragraph (2)(b)(ii), insert—

“(iii) if the person is a member of the 2015 Scheme, his state pension age, or 65 if that is higher(10),”;

(b) in paragraph (3), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or Chapter 7 of Part 4 of the 2015 Regulations”.

Amendment of Part 10 (payment of awards and financial provisions)

9.—(1) Part 10 is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 2 (prevention of duplication)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (a), for “or article 21 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme” substitute “, article 21 of Part 3 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or Chapter 6 of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (b), after “New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (pension credit member’s entitlement to pension)” insert, “or regulation 113 (entitlement to pension credit members’ pension) of the 2015 Regulations”;

(iii) in sub-paragraph (c), after “New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (guaranteed minimum pensions)” insert, “or regulation 168 (guaranteed minimum pension) of the 2015 Regulations”;

(c) in paragraph (3) for “as the case may be, article 97 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme” substitute “article 97 of Part 14 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, or regulation 17 (service in two or more scheme employments) and regulation 18 (application of Chapter) of the 2015 Regulations, as the case may be”;

(d) in paragraph (4)(a), at the end insert—

“(iii) under regulation 67 or 73 of the 2015 Regulations, a retirement pension or a lower tier ill-health pension or a higher tier ill-health pension, or”.

(3) In rule 3(11) (prevention of duplication: other injury awards for persons who are both regular and retained firefighters)—

(a) in paragraph (1), after the definition of “Part 8 award”, insert—

““regulation 73 award” means an entitlement to a lower tier ill-health pension or a higher tier ill-health pension under regulation 73 of the 2015 Regulations; and”;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) for “This paragraph applies” substitute “This rule applies” and insert the word “and” after “as a regular firefighter”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (b)(i), after “article 12 award,”, insert “a regulation 73 award,”;

(c) in paragraphs (3) and (4), for “or, as the case may be, the article 12 award”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “or the article 12 award or the regulation 73 award, as the case may be,”.

(4) In rule 4(12) (prevention of duplication: other awards for spouses or children of persons who are both regular and retained firefighters)—

(a) in paragraph (2)(b) for “that Part”, substitute “Part 4”;

(b) in paragraph (3)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (e) omit “and”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (f) for the full stop substitute a comma;

(iii) in sub-paragraph (l) for the full stop substitute a comma;

(iv) after sub-paragraph (l) insert—

“(m) a surviving partner’s pension under regulation 86, 87 or 88 of the 2015 Regulations,

(n) a surviving partner’s bereavement pension under regulation 89 of the 2015 Regulations,

(o) an eligible child’s pension under regulation 94, 95 or 96 of the 2015 Regulations,

(p) an eligible child’s bereavement pension under regulation 100 of the 2015 Regulations, and

(q) a lump sum payable on death under regulations 104 and 105 of the 2015 Regulations.”.

Amendment of Schedule 1 (injury awards and duty-related compensation)

10.—(1) Schedule 1 is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 1 (calculation of awards for full-time service)—

(a) after paragraph 1, insert—

“1A.— (1) In the event that an award becomes payable in respect of a qualifying injury sustained in the course of employment in relation to which a person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, relevant service, in the Table, means the total of—

(a) any relevant service in relation to the 2015 Scheme that relates to the person’s scheme employment which is the same as, or most similar to, the scheme employment in respect of which the award is payable; and

(b) if applicable, any relevant service in relation to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme that relates to the person’s employment which is the same as, or most similar to, the employment in respect of which the award is payable.

(2) In the event that an award is payable to a person who is not an active member of the 2015 Scheme, or has elected not to make pension contributions under the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, when calculating an award payable under this scheme, the person’s ‘relevant service’ is determined according to the pension scheme the person would have been eligible to be a member of when they sustained the qualifying injury.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “eligible to be a member” means a person’s eligibility to be a member of any of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and the 2015 Scheme, pursuant to article 2 (exclusive application to regular firefighters) of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, article 4 (scheme membership) of Part 2 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or regulation 16 of, or Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations, as the case may be.”;

(b) in paragraph 1, in the headings in the Table, for “or, as the case may be, final pensionable pay” in both places substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;

(c) in paragraph 2(1), after “as a firefighter” insert “(including, if rule 3 of Part 10 applies in his case, the aggregate of the pension to which he is entitled under article 15 of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or article 12 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or regulation 73 of the 2015 Regulations and the amount of the difference referred to in rule 3(3) of Part 10)”;

(d) in paragraph 2(2), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”—

(i) where the words occur for the first time, insert “or the exercise of an option not to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the 2015 Regulations”;

(ii) where the words occur for the second time, insert “or regulation 121(3) of the 2015 Regulations or failed to exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations”;

(e) in paragraph 2(3)(a), after “the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or regulation 117 (commutation of part of pension) or Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations”.

(3) In Part 2 (calculation of awards for part-time service)—

(a) in paragraph 2(1), for “or, as the case may be, the final pensionable pay”, substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;

(b) after paragraph 2(2), insert—

“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in B, C and D means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”.

(4) In Part 3 (calculation of awards for retained or volunteer service), in paragraph 1, for “paragraph 1”, substitute “the table in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of this Schedule”;

Amendment of Schedule 2 (awards for spouses and civil partners)

11.—(1) Schedule 2 is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 1 (special pension)—

(a) in paragraph 1, for “or, as the case may be, final pensionable pay”, substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;

(b) in paragraph 2—

(i) in sub-paragraph (1), for “or, as the case may be, final pensionable pay”, substitute “the final pensionable pay or the final pay, as the case may be”;

(ii) after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in B, C and D means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”.

(c) after paragraph 3(2) insert—

“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in C means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”.

(3) In Part 2 (award for surviving spouse of post-retirement marriage where deceased is a member of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme but not a member of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme), in paragraph 1(1)(b), after “New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.

Amendment of Schedule 3 (awards on death: children)

12.  In Part 1 (child’s special allowance)—

(a) in paragraph 1, for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, substitute “his final pensionable pay or his final pay, as the case may be”;

(b) in paragraph 4(2), for “or, as the case may be, the final pensionable pay”, substitute “the final pensionable pay or the final pay, as the case may be,”;

(c) in paragraph 5—

(i) the existing provision becomes sub-paragraph (1);

(ii) after sub-paragraph (1), insert—

“(2) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in C means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”.

Amendment of Schedule 4 (awards on death: additional provisions)

13.  In Part 1 (adult dependent relative’s special pension)—

(a) in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “or his final pensionable pay or his final pay, as the case may be”.

(b) in paragraph 1 for the second sub-paragraph (a) re-number as (b).

(c) in paragraph 4—

(i) after “final pensionable pay”, insert “or final pay”;

(ii) the existing provision becomes sub-paragraph (1);

(iii) after sub-paragraph (1), insert—

“(2) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in C means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”.

Amendment of Schedule 6 (servicemen: increased awards)

14.  In paragraph 1 for the second sub-paragraph (a) re-number as (b).

Article 3

SCHEDULE 2 Amendment to the Annex to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

Amendment of Part 1 (citation and interpretation)

1.—(1) In article 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a) after the definition of “the 2014 Act”, insert—

““the 2015 Regulations” means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015(13) which established the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2015;”;

(b) in the definition of “Compensation Scheme” for “out in Schedule 1” substitute “as set out in Schedule 1”;

(c) after the definition of “Firefighters’ Pension Scheme”, insert—

““full protection member of this Scheme” means a person who is a full protection member of this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations;”;

(d) for the definition of “limited period”, substitute—

““limited period” means the period beginning on 1st July 2000 or if later, the date falling before 6th April 2006, on which the person was first employed as a retained firefighter and ending on—

(a)

the earlier of—

(i)

the date on which that person joined this Scheme as a special member or as a standard member in respect of service which he could otherwise reckon as special pensionable service, and

(ii)

the date, if applicable, on which he ceased to be employed as a retained or regular firefighter;

(b)

in the case of a person who joins this Scheme as a provisionally enrolled member on 31st March 2015 and who on or after 1st April 2015—

(i)

does not become a full protection member of this Scheme or a tapered protection member of this Scheme, 31st March 2015,

(ii)

becomes a full protection member of this Scheme, the date on which that person joins this Scheme as a special member,

(iii)

becomes a tapered protection member of this Scheme, the earlier of the date the person joins this Scheme as a special member, and the member’s tapered protection closing date, within the meaning given in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations;”;

(e) after the definition of “personal pension scheme”, insert—

““provisionally enrolled member” has the meaning given in article 4(10) of Part 2;”;

(f) in the definition for “regular firefighter” re-number the sub-paragraphs as (a), (b) and (c);

(g) in the definition of “special eligibility conditions”, for “has the meaning given” substitute “means the conditions specified”;

(h) in the definition of “special firefighter member”, for “4A(1) to (4)” substitute “4A(1) to (5)”;

(i) after the definition of “survivor’s pension”, insert—

““tapered protection member of this Scheme” means a person who is a tapered protection member of this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations;”.

Amendment of Part 2 (scheme membership, cessation and retirement)

2.—(1) Part 2 is amended as follows.

(2) In article 4 (scheme membership) after paragraph (9) insert—

“(10) A person is a provisionally enrolled member of this Scheme if he—

(a) satisfies the conditions in article 66C(2) of Part 11; and

(b) is not eligible to become a provisionally enrolled member pursuant to article 66C(3) of Part 11.”.

(3) In article 5A(2) (special eligibility conditions) after “(retrospective award on ill-health retirement)” insert “of Part 3”.

Amendment to Part 4 (survivors pensions)

3.—(1) Part 4 is amended as follows.

(2) In article 26 omit sub-paragraph (2)(c).

(3) Above article 27 insert the heading—

“Commutation of survivor’s pension”

Amendment of Part 11 (pensionable pay, pension contributions and purchase of additional service)

4.—(1) Part 11 is amended as follows.

(2) In article 65A(1)(14) (purchase of service during the limited period) omit “member”.

(3) In article 66A (election to purchase service during the limited period)—

(a) in paragraph (2) before “which he is” insert “to”; and

(b) after paragraph (13), insert—

“(14) In respect of the pension contributions referred to at paragraph (12), interest is payable in respect of contributions payable from and including 6th April 2006, until the date on which the person joins this Scheme as a standard member (“the assumed standard period”).

(15) Interest is payable in respect of the pension contribution required to be paid in respect of a special member’s service during the assumed standard period as follows—

(a) for the purposes of calculating interest under this paragraph it shall be assumed that in respect of the assumed standard period, pension contributions were payable by monthly periodic contributions from the date that the member’s first standard monthly contributions would have been paid;

(b) interest starts to accrue from the date that the first monthly contribution would have been paid in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) and ceases to accrue on the date that the lump sum contribution or final periodic contribution is paid in accordance with paragraphs (2), (4), (5) and (8);

(c) in relation to assumed standard period pension contributions which are paid by lump sum contribution, interest shall be calculated by applying the past interest rate to the contribution payable in accordance with article 63(1) of Part 11 compounded monthly between the month each contribution would have been made in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) until the calculation date;

(d) in relation to assumed standard pension contributions which are paid by periodic contribution—

(i) interest shall be calculated as for a lump sum contribution under sub-paragraph (c);

(ii) the amount of interest payable shall then be adjusted in accordance with tables provided by the Scheme Actuary so as to allow for interest at the future interest rate in relation to the period from the calculation date to the date that the contribution is paid, so as to discharge liability over a period of ten years;

(e) for the purpose of this article—

“assumed special period pension contributions” means the pension contribution payable in respect of a special member’s service during the assumed standard period under article 66A of Part 11;

“calculation date” means—

(a)

in the cast of lump sum contribution, the date when the lump sum is paid; and

(b)

in the case of payment of the assumed standard period pension contribution by periodic contribution, the date when the member joined this Scheme as a special member;

“future interest rate” is a rate equivalent to 1.5% plus the FTSE Actuaries UK Gilt 10 years yield index less the average of the FTSE Actuaries UK Index-linked Gilt 5 to 15 years index with assumed inflation rates of 0% and 5%;

“past interest rate” is a rate equivalent to the interest available on the most recent issue of five-year fixed interest saving certificates from National Savings and Investments available on the 15th day of each month which would have been applicable to the period in question.”.

(4) In article 66B(15) (election to purchase service during the limited period: supplemental provision) at the end of paragraph (12) insert “except where an election is made by a provisionally enrolled member, in which case, the election may not take effect after 30th September 2015”.

(5) After article 66B insert—

“Election to purchase service: provisional enrolment

66C.— (1) Subject to paragraph (3), a person who satisfies the conditions in paragraph (2) joins this Scheme as a provisionally enrolled member on 31st March 2015.

(2) The conditions are that—

(a) on or before 31st March 2015—

(i) the person has been notified by the Board, that he may be entitled to join this Scheme as a special member, pursuant to article 65A(4); or

(ii) the Board, referred to at article 65A(4), has received from the person an application for a statement of service, pursuant to article 65A(5).

(3) A person cannot become a provisionally enrolled member if, on or before 31st March 2015, the person—

(a) has become a special member of this Scheme;

(b) has informed the Board that they do not want to elect to join this Scheme as a special member; or

(c) has been notified by the Board that they are no longer eligible to join this Scheme as a special member.

(4) On or before 31st May 2015, the Board must give a provisionally enrolled member a notice as referred to under article 65A(13), unless the Board has already provided the person with such a notice.

(5) Subject to article 66B(12), if a provisionally enrolled member—

(a) gives the Board written notice of their election to pay mandatory special period pension contributions in respect of their service during the mandatory special period under article 66A, the election takes effect on the day on which the notice of election is received by the Board, and the person ceases to be a provisionally enrolled member of this Scheme and becomes a special member of this Scheme;

(b) does not give the Board written notice on or before 30th September 2015 of their election to pay mandatory special period pension contributions in respect of their service during the mandatory special period under article 66A, the person ceases to be a provisionally enrolled member of this Scheme.”.

Amendment of Annex A1 (pension contributions)

5.  For the Table in paragraph 5 of Annex A1 substitute the following Table—

“Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,150	8.5%
More than £15,150 and up to and including £21,210	9.4%
More than £21,210 and up to and including £30,300	10.4%
More than £30,300 and up to and including £40,400	10.9%
More than £40,400 and up to and including £50,500	11.2%
More than £50,500 and up to and including £60,600	11.3%
More than £60,600 and up to and including £101,000	11.7%
More than £101,000 and up to and including £121,200	12.1%
More than £121,200	12.5%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,301	8.5%
More than £15,301 and up to and including £21,422	9.4%
More than £21,422 and up to and including £30,603	10.4%
More than £30,603 and up to and including £40,804	10.9%
More than £40,804 and up to and including £51,005	11.2%
More than £51,005 and up to and including £61,206	11.3%
More than £61,206 and up to and including £102,010	11.7%
More than £102,010 and up to and including £122,412	12.1%
More than £122,412	12.5%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,454	8.5%
More than £15,454 and up to and including £21,636	9.4%
More than £21,636 and up to and including £30,909	10.4%
More than £30,909 and up to and including £41,212	10.9%
More than £41,212 and up to and including £51,515	11.2%
More than £51,515 and up to and including £61,818	11.3%
More than £61,818 and up to and including £103,030	11.7%
More than £103,030 and up to and including £123,636	12.1%
More than £123,636	12.5%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,609	8.5%
More than £15,609 and up to and including £21,852	9.4%
More than £21,852 and up to and including £31,218	10.4%
More than £31,218 and up to and including £41,624	10.9%
More than £41,624 and up to and including £52,030	11.2%
More than £52,030 and up to and including £62,436	11.3%
More than £62,436 and up to and including £104,060	11.7%
More than £104,060 and up to and including £124,872	12.1%
More than £124,872	12.5%”

Amendment of Schedule AB1 (pension contributions for special members)

6.—(1) In the table in paragraph 6 of Schedule AB1 in the heading of the fourth column after “2014” insert “to 31st March 2015”.

(2) After the table in paragraph 6 of Schedule AB1 insert—

“Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,150	11.0%
More than £15,150 and up to and including £21,210	12.2%
More than £21,210 and up to and including £30,300	14.2%
More than £30,300 and up to and including £40,400	14.7%
More than £40,400 and up to and including £50,500	15.2%
More than £50,500 and up to and including £60,600	15.5%
More than £60,600 and up to and including £101,000	16.0%
More than £101,000 and up to and including £121,200	16.5%
More than £121,200	17.0%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,301	11.0%
More than £15,301 and up to and including £21,422	12.2%
More than £21,422 and up to and including £30,603	14.2%
More than £30,603 and up to and including £40,804	14.7%
More than £40,804 and up to and including £51,005	15.2%
More than £51,005 and up to and including £61,206	15.5%
More than £61,206 and up to and including £102,010	16.0%
More than £102,010 and up to and including £122,412	16.5%
More than £122,412	17.0%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,454	11.0%
More than £15,454 and up to and including £21,636	12.2%
More than £21,636 and up to and including £30,909	14.2%
More than £30,909 and up to and including £41,212	14.7%
More than £41,212 and up to and including £51,515	15.2%
More than £51,515 and up to and including £61,818	15.5%
More than £61,818 and up to and including £103,030	16.0%
More than £103,030 and up to and including £123,636	16.5%
More than £123,636	17.0%

Pensionable Pay	Contribution rate from 1st April 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,609	11.0%
More than £15,609 and up to and including £21,852	12.2%
More than £21,852 and up to and including £31,218	14.2%
More than £31,218 and up to and including £41,624	14.7%
More than £41,624 and up to and including £52,030	15.2%
More than £52,030 and up to and including £62,436	15.5%
More than £62,436 and up to and including £104,060	16.0%
More than £104,060 and up to and including £124,872	16.5%
More than £124,872	17.0%”

Amendment to Schedule 1 (ill-health pension)

7.  For paragraphs 4, 5 and 6(16) re-number as paragraphs 3A, 3B and 3C.

Amendment to Schedule 2 (appeal to independent medical referee)

8.—(1) Schedule 2 is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 8(1) for “paragraph 4” substitute “paragraph 7”.

(3) In paragraph 11(1) for “paragraph 5(3)” substitute “paragraph 8(3)”.

(4) In paragraph 11(2) for “paragraph 7(1)” substitute “paragraph 10(1)”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

This Order amends the Annex to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 which provides for a compensation scheme for firefighters and dependants of firefighters in Northern Ireland (“the Compensation Scheme”). The amendments to the Compensation Scheme set out in Schedule 1 to this Order are consequential on the coming into operation of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 (“the 2015 Scheme”) set out in the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

This Order also amends the Annex to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007.

Provisions of this Order mentioned in article 1(2) and (3) have retrospective effect by virtue of article 10(4) of the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984, as continued by article 60 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

The main effects of the amendments made by Schedule 1 to this Order to the Compensation Scheme are the insertion of references to relevant provisions of the 2015 Scheme to ensure that the provisions of the Compensation Scheme apply to members of the 2015 Scheme, the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.

The main effects of the amendments made by Schedule 2 to this Order to the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme are to:

(a) update provisions and terminology as a consequence of the coming into operation of the 2015 Pension Scheme;

(b) make minor amendments to clarify references in the definitions of special deferred member, special eligibility criteria, special firefighter member and special pensioner member;

(c) clarify provisions relating to the payment of interest;

(d) to extend the time available to the Board to complete the options exercise for the ‘modified scheme’ up to a maximum of 6 months. The New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme was amended in April 2015 to introduce provisions enabling individuals employed as retained firefighters during the period 1st July 2000 and 5th April 2006 to purchase pension benefits in respect of this employment (“the Modified Scheme”). The Board had until 31st March 2015 to undertake and conclude an options exercise to identify all those former and current employees with an entitlement to join the Modified Scheme. The provisions extend this time period by 6 months;

(e) uprate the contribution bands by 1% per annum each year until 1st April 2018. Annex A1 of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme sets out the contribution rates payable by members which are determined by reference to the applicable pensionable pay band. Schedule AB1 sets out the contribution rates for special members. This Order amends both tables to provide an annual one per cent uplift in the pay bands until 2018.

Certain amendments made in Schedules 1 and 2 correct minor drafting errors.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

(1)

S.I. 1984/1821 (N.I. 11) article 10(5) was amended by S.I. 1998/1549 (N.I. 11) article 4. Article 10 was continued by S.I. 2006/1254 (N.I. 9) article 60(1) and (2).

(2)

See S.R. 1999 No. 481 article 6(c) and Schedule 4, Part III.

(3)

S.R. 2007 No. 143 amended by S.R. 2008 No. 238 and S.R. 2015 No. 7.

(4)

S.R. 2007 No. 215, amended by S.R. 2008 No. 381, S.R. 2012 No. 162, S.R. 2013 No. 84 and No. 172, S.R. 2014 No. 57 and No. 168, S.R. 2015 No. 9 and No. 10. T&C amendment to be included if brought in before this amendment

(5)

S.R. 2015 No. 78.

(6)

Rule 11 of Part 1 was inserted by S.R. 2015 No. 7.

(7)

Part 7A was inserted by S.R. 2008 No. 238.

(8)

Paragraph (1A) of rule 4 of Part 3 was inserted by S.R. 2008 No. 238.

(9)

Paragraph (4A) was inserted by S.R. 2008 No. 238.

(10)

See section 10 of the Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c.2) for the meaning of “state pension age”.

(11)

Rule 3 of Part 10 was substituted by S.R. 2008 No. 238 and amended by S.R. 2015 No. 7.

(12)

Rule 4 of Part 10 was substituted by S.R. 2008 No. 238 and amended by S.R. 2015 No. 7.

(13)

S.R. 2015 No. 78.

(14)

Articles 65 A and 66 A were inserted by S.R. 2015 No.9.

(15)

Article 66B was inserted by S.R. 2015 No. 9.

(16)

Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 were inserted by S.R. 2015 No. 9.