THE Police Pensions Regulations 2015 \u2013 introduced on 1 April \u2013 have been laid before Parliament<\/p>\n
There are 228 points to digest \u2013 a Police Federation of England and Wales FAQ document \u201caimed at helping officers to understand in detail what it means for them\u201d will be published on Friday March 6. Click this link for the document.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/uksi\/2015\/445\/contents\/made<\/a> The Police Federations in the North East region of England and Wales \u2013 including South Yorkshire Police Federation \u2013 have said they will \u201cseek further legal advice\u201d once the new police pensions regulations are published.<\/p>\n Having previously sought legal advice \u2013 independent of the National Federation over the pension changes in 2012 \u2013 South Yorkshire Police Federation has vowed to be part of a joint effort to do so again in the near future.<\/p>\n A statement said: \u201cSouth Yorkshire Police Federation sought independent legal advice in 2012 about the new pension scheme. That advice came back to say that so far the Government were acting lawfully, and that you could not make a legal challenge against something that was not enacted yet.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chairs and Secretaries of the JBBs in Region 2 (Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Humberside & South Yorkshire) met on Monday 26th January. We have decided that when the new police pension scheme regulations are finally published we will thoroughly examine them with expert help, and will seek further legal advice.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fed added: \u201cThe Government\u2019s reform of the police pension schemes was never going to be welcome but since then we have been in consultation with them about their proposals to ensure that any new scheme is fit-for-purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has never been a negotiation as the Government are not required to negotiate with us on this matter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe understand that many members are angry at the Home Secretary\u2019s decision on how this reform impacts on their police pensions.\u201d<\/p>\n Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said it was \u201cabsolutely appalling that the Government has waited until three weeks before the commencement date before announcing the new regulations and guide.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \u201cHow on earth officers can be expected to plan for their future without this information is beyond me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Bowles added: \u201cIt is an absolute disgrace. Our members\u00a0are enraged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are putting on seminars with independent financial advisors to explain the new system and we are appealing to people not to make any rash decisions without getting the advice first.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a region we are going ahead with independent legal advice to find out whether it is challengeable or not.\u201d<\/p>\n PFEW has also \u201cinstructed Legal Counsel to undertake a review of the new regulations in the context of the consultation process that has taken place and the original legal advice which was obtained in 2012 and 2013.\u201d<\/p>\n On 1 April, the new CARE scheme will replace the final salary scheme and a new pension age of 60 will be introduced for police officers. The majority of officers will be paying 13.44 per cent of their salaries into their pensions.<\/p>\n However, there will be no change in pension age or amount for those who on 1 April 2012 were aged 45 or over, or aged 38 or over and members of the 1987 police pension scheme with 10 years or less to go before retirement with a maximum 30-year pension.<\/p>\n Since publication of the Pension Regulations, the Home Office has published a Members’ Guide to the new scheme. You can see that here\u00a0http:\/\/www.polfed.org\/documents\/Pensions_Guide_Members_Guide_Final_060315.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n The Police Federation of England and Wales has also published a “Frequently Asked Questions” document that it hopes will “go some way\u00a0to provide answers to our members with their many queries.” You can see that here\u00a0http:\/\/www.polfed.org\/documents\/Police_Pension_Scheme_2015_FAQs_060315.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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