Firefighters Pension Scheme 1992

New Firefighters Pension Scheme 2006 – including Modified Retained

Firefighters Pension Scheme (CARE) 2015

OPT OUT FORM
Personal Details
Title: / Full Name:
Home Address:
Postcode:
NI Number: / Date of Birth:
Employer:
Pay Reference No:
Points to Consider
  • This form should ONLY be signed and dated following the commencement of your employment from which you wish to opt out of the Firefighters Pension Scheme1992 / 2006 / 2015
  • If signed and dated before your commencement date, this form will be INVALID
  • If you have more than one post with your employer, you will be required to complete an Opting Out form for each post that you DO NOT wish to be a member of.

Declaration
I declare that by opting out of the Firefighters Pension Scheme 1992 / 2006 / 2015, I am knowingly giving up the opportunity to participate in the scheme which would provide a guaranteed package of benefits which are backed by law, including:
-a secure annual pension
-added life cover / -a tax free cash option
-serious ill health cover
-survivor benefits
I have read the above and understand that the choices I make now are important in planning for my retirement. I understand that if I opt out I will lose the right to pension contributions from my employer, and I may have a lower income when I retire.
I confirm that I wish to opt out of pension saving in the post I have indicated on this form.
Signature: / Date:
Please return this form to: Pay & Conditions Department by the 10th of the month in which you wish to opt out:
DEVON & SOMERSET FIRE: Fire Headquarters, Clyst St George, Exeter, EX3 0NW GLOUCESTERSHIRE FIRE: Quayside House, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG
SECTION BELOW TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER/PAYROLL SECTION
Date member joined FPS 1992/2006/2015: / Date form received:
Member opted-out within 3 months of starting (Contributions refunded through payroll if deducted)
YES NO (Delete which doesn’t apply)
If answer to above is NO, send leavers form to Peninsula Pensions
Signed……………………………………………………………………… Date……………………..
(Name:………………………………………………………….(print) Tel. No:………………………………….)
Notes of Guidance
  1. You can only sign and date this opt out form once you have commenced employment in the post from which you wish to opt out of membership of the Firefighter Pension Scheme 1992 / 2006 (including Modified Retained) / 2015 (CARE)
(Any form signed and dated before commencement of that employment will be treated as an invalid opt out)
  1. Your employer cannot ask you or force you to opt out. If you are asked or forced to opt out you can tell The Pensions Regulator – see
  2. If you have another job with another employer, that employer might also put you into pension saving, now or in the future. This form only applies to those wishing to opt out of one of the Firefighter Pension Schemes in relation to the employer and job you have named on this form. A separate opting out form must be completed and given to any other employer you work for if you wish to opt out of their pension saving with that employer as well.
The opting out form can only be obtain from Peninsula Pensions (see website: for contact details)
  1. If you opt of the 2006 or 2015 scheme before completing 3 months membership you will be treated as never having been a member and will receive a refund of any contributions deducted from your pay. If you opt out after 3 months you will be entitled to a deferred benefit in the 2006 / 2015 scheme, which, unless you transfer the benefits to another pension scheme, would normally be payable from age 65 for the 2006 scheme or Individual State Pension Age for the 2015 scheme.
  2. If you have an entitlement to a ‘split pension’, in either the 1992 or 2006 scheme, this will be lost on opting out.
  1. If you opt out of the 1992 scheme, you will be unable to re-join at a later date as it is a closed scheme. The benefits that you have built in the 1992 scheme will be deferred until age 60 and if you then decide to re-join you will become a new member of either the 2006 or 2015 scheme, dependent on protections which may apply for the 2006 scheme. Please seek independent financial advice before opting out of either of the Fire Pension Schemes.
  2. If you decide to opt out of membership of the 2006 or 2015 scheme and subsequently change your mind you will be able to re-join the 2015 scheme, or possibly the 2006 scheme, dependent on protections, provided you still qualify to be a member of the scheme. You will need to write to your employer if you want to opt back in to the Firefighters Pension Scheme.
  3. Please note your employer is required to automatically put you back into the 2015 scheme, if you are an Eligible Jobholder, approximately every 3 years from the date they have to comply with the government’s automatic enrolment provisions of the Pensions Act 2008. You will, however, be able to opt out of the scheme again if you wish.
  4. The completed opt out form must be returned to your employer.

Please return this form to: Pay & Conditions Department by the 10th of the month in which you wish to opt out:
DEVON & SOMERSET FIRE: Fire Headquarters, Clyst St George, Exeter, EX3 0NW GLOUCESTERSHIRE FIRE: Quayside House, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG