Removing the tax-free lump sum from police officers\u2019 pensions would be a \u201ccatastrophic kick in the teeth\u201d, South Yorkshire Police Federation said.<\/p>\n
Federation Chair Steve Kent said the move would be \u201canother attack on the public sector pay, by stealth\u201d.<\/p>\n
It had been feared the Chancellor would cut the amount of savings officers could withdraw from their pension without paying anything to under \u00a3100,000.<\/p>\n
Steve said he was being contacted about the issue \u201call the time\u201d by officers concerned about losing out despite decades of public service.<\/p>\n
He added the ramifications that would come from this decision would be \u201cenormous\u201d and warned of a \u201cmass exodus\u201d from policing.<\/p>\n
Steve continued: \u201cIt\u2019s not just senior officers- retiring PCs and sergeants would be affected by this. It would make a fundamental difference to people\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people, for example, have worked their mortgage out so they can pay some of it off with a lump sum, which they wouldn\u2019t be able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo do that would be a catastrophic kick in the teeth to police officers.\u201d<\/p>\n