Firefighters’ Pension Bulletin 13

Modified Pension Scheme: Second Options Exercise

Expression of Interest Form  

At the end of January 2024 all applicable On-Call Firefighters received correspondence to purchase pension entitlement as a special member of the modified scheme. If you were employed as an On-Call Firefighter at any point between 7 April 2000 and 5 April 2006 you may be eligible for the second options exercise.

You are eligible to buy back pension in the Second Options Exercise if you were employed as an On-Call firefighter:

1. 07 April 2000 to 30 June 2000;
2. 07 April 2000 to 30 June 2000 and 01 July 2000 to 05 April 2006; or
3. 01 July 2000 to 05 April 2006, who was not given the option to join the Modified FPS 2006 as part of the first options exercise.

Those who joined the On-Call from 01 July 2000 and were offered, but did not elect to join the Modified Scheme, at that time are not eligible for the second exercise.

Those who received the correspondence are asked to return their Expression of Interest Forms no later than 30 July 2024 if they haven’t already done so.

Please note the Expression of Interest Form is to be completed and returned even if you are not interested.

To assist you in completing the Expression of Interest Form, we recommend that you read the employee information leaflet with regards to the Retained Firefighters’ Pension Settlement. The guide sets out the terms of the modified scheme in more detail. This can be found on the HSC Pension Administrators website via the link below: Matthews (Second Options Exercise) | HSC Pension Service (hscni.net)

Please be mindful that by completing the form you are only communicating an expression of interest at this time and requesting your personal statement on the cost of joining/paying for more eligible service in the modified scheme.  As an eligible member you have no obligation to continue after receipt of personal statement if you do not wish to. Please seek independent financial advice if required.

If you have lost/misplaced your form or meet the eligibility criteria and did not receive a letter please e-mail Matthews@nifrs.org providing your name, service no and up to date contact details and we will contact you in due course.

Online Roadshows

Our intention is to hold online roadshows with respect second options exercise in September/October 2024.  Details will be communicated in due course.