Fire Pension Scheme

If you have a period of authorised unpaid absence, you can elect to pay contributions at your usual contribution rate on assumed pensionable pay i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the unpaid absence. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the Fire & Rescue Service (FRS).

• Illness or Injury Absence

  If you are away from Scheme employment because of illness or injury, and receiving pensionable pay and / or statutory pay, you would continue to pay contributions at your usual percentage rate on the pensionable/statutory pay that you receive. If, however, you are not entitled to receive pensionable / statutory pay during the absence, you can elect to pay contributions at your usual percentage rate based on the pay you were receiving immediately before it ceased. Payment can be made by lump sum, or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority and within certain time limits.

• Child-related Leave

  During child-related leave you would pay contributions on whatever rate of pensionable pay you receive (including statutory pay). If you are not entitled to receive any pensionable/statutory pay during a period of ordinary maternity, paternity or ordinary adoption leave, you would be treated as if you had paid contributions.

  If you are not entitled to receive any pensionable/statutory pay during a period of additional maternity, additional adoption leave, parental leave or shared parental leave, you will have the option to pay contributions on 'assumed pensionable pay' i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the leave. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the authority.

• Trade Dispute

  If you are absent because of a trade dispute, you can elect to pay contributions on 'assumed pensionable pay' i.e. the pensionable pay you would have received but for the absence. Payment can be made, within certain time limits, by lump sum or by deduction from instalments of pensionable pay, as agreed with the FRS.

• Reserved Forces Service Leave

  While on reserve forces service leave you would be required to pay contributions on your 'assumed pensionable pay' i.e. the pay you would have received but for the leave (unless you qualify for benefits under another occupational pension scheme during that period). The contributions may be deducted from any payment made, in respect of the same period, under Part 5 of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951.

  The FRS will give a member, who is about to start reserve forces leave, a statement showing the assumed pensionable pay for the period of leave, the contribution rate to apply, details of any payments to be paid by the FRS to the member, and the employer contribution rate which applies during that period.