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Firefighters’ Pension Bulletin 15

Amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Schemes – Survivor Benefits

This information is for information purposes only.

Background

The Firefighters Pension Schemes and Firefighters Compensation Schemes were amended in relation to Survivors’ Benefits following Supreme Court Rulings.  The Amendments came into force on 5th July 2024.

The main changes relate to the retention of survivor benefits upon remarriage or entering into a new civil partnership, the removal of the requirement for members to complete a nomination form in respect of their co-habiting partner for survivor benefits to be paid and the removal of limitations to ensure that civil partners are treated in the same way as widowers of opposite sex marriages.

The amending regulations can be viewed here:

The Firefighters’ Pension Schemes and Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

Overview of Scheme Amendments

  • Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (NI) 2007

Brings the benefits payable to survivors of civil partnerships and same sex marriages in line with the benefits payable to widows of different sex marriages.

  • New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (NI) Order 2006

Removal of requirement for a deceased member to have completed a nomination form before a survivor’s pension can be paid.

  • Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme Order (NI) 2007

Brings the benefits payable to survivors of civil partnerships and same sex marriages in line with the benefits payable to widows of different sex marriages.

Limitations on payments or survivors’ benefits on marriage, remarriage or formation of civil partnership do not apply where marriage or civil partnership is entered into on or after 01 April 2015.

  • Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Regulations (NI) 2015

Minor correction to pension revaluation figure provisions; ensures the correct revaluation figure can be taken into account in calculating accrued pension rights.  A corresponding change is also made to the valuation of the accrued pension where a member transfers to certain other public sector pension schemes.

The amendments also correct small typographical and cross reference errors.

NO ACTION REQUIRED

You do not need to take any actions.  The pension software system has been updated to reflect the new survivor benefit rules and the corrected revaluation rates.