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Circulars
Scheme Circulars
The SPPA inform Firemen’s Pension Administrators and Employers of changes to the pension scheme by issuing Fire Circulars (listed below) advising of policy changes, consulting on proposed amendments to regulations and giving guidance on policy issues. Relevant information is then passed to scheme members.
The numbering of Fire Circulars is shared with Scottish Executive Fire Division and therefore, circulars relating to pensions matter are not consecutive
2008
Circular 2008/13 (pdf 51Kb) issued on 14 August 2008. This circular advises on purchase of additional pension and GAD factors.
Circular 2008/12 (pdf 213Kb) issued on 4 July 2008. This circular advises on the application of pension increases to pensions which come into payment before age 55 (cases where retirement is not on medical grounds). This updates the information given in SF&R Circular 10/2008. The Q&A issued with SF&R Circular 10/2008 (at Annex 3) has also been updated.
Circular 2008/10 (pdf 565Kb) issued on 5 June 2008. This circular advises on the making of the following Orders
GAD factors - Continual Professional Development (CPD) APB
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Scotland) Order 2007 Amendment Order 2008 No 161 (NFPS) which advises on Additional Pension Benefits (APB), arrangements for Continual Professional Development (CPD) allowance and Long Service Increment (LSI); and
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme Amendment (Scotland) Order 2008 No 160 (FPS) which advises on Additional Pension Benefits (APB), arrangements for Continual Professional Development (CPD) allowance and Long Service Increment (LSI).
Circular 2008/5 (pdf 163Kb) issued on 17 March 2008. This circular provides information on the Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2008 SI 2008/711 . Multipliers for “preserved” pensions and lump sums can be accessed on the HM Treasury website on their Public Service Pensions / Pensions Increases page.
Circular 2008/4 (pdf 89Kb) issued on 14 March 2008. This circular advises on Transfer Values and Pension Sharing on Divorce. Annex A GAD guidance on CETV and Pension Sharing on Divorce (pdf 261Kb). Annex B GAD guidance on underpins on CETVs in FPS (pdf 32Kb).
2007
Circular 2007/16 (pdf Kb) issued on 21 September 2007. This circular advises on Continual Professional Development (CPD), Long Service Increment (LSI) and FPS.
Circular 2007/15 (pdf 59Kb) issued on 10 September 2007. This circular advises on the attached Guidance for IQMPs(pdf 133Kb) .
Circular 2007/14 (pdf 102Kb) issued on 16 August 2007. This circular advises on second contracts of employment for firefighters and gives advice on the implications for compensation scheme benefits arising from different contractual arrangements. (Annex A pdf 48kb)
Circular 2007/11 (pdf 66 Kb) issued on July 2007. This circular gives information on RSTC(Annex A);APSS101 (Annex B) and role of sub scheme administrators(Annex C)
Circular 2007/9 (pdf 74Kb) - issued on 18 April 2007. This circular advises on Firefighters' Compensation Scheme, Earnings Cap 2007-2008 and Regional Seminars.
Circular 2007/8 (pdf 63Kb) - issued on 2 April 2007. This circular advises on the making of the following Orders:
The Firefighters' Compensation Scheme (Scotland) Order 2007 (SSI 2007/198) which makes amendments to the Firefighters' Compensation Scheme (FCS).
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Scotland) Order 2007 (SSI 2007/199) which gives information on the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme(NFPS);
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2007 (SSI 2007/200) which makes amendments to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 (FPS)
Circular 2007/6 (pdf 147Kb) - issued on 28 March 2007. This circular provides information on the Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2007. SI2007/801 and Multiplier Tables at Pensions Increases.
Circular 2007/5 (74 pdf) -issued on 27 February 2007. this circular provides information on the Financial Reporting Council - levy on pension schemes and recycling of pension commencement lump sums. A declaration form recycling of lump sum is at Annex B (pdf 18Kb).
Circular 2007/4 (pdf 60Kb) - issued on February 2007. This circular provides information on factors and guidance for transfer value calculations in NFPS.
2006
Circular 2006/27 (pdf 106Kb ) - issued 20 December 2006. This circular provides information on transfer factors for Options exercise, Exemplification of conversion factors (Appendix pdf 6Kb) and a note explaining the Benefit and Transfer Statement (pdf 75Kb) to go with Group A packs.
Circular 2006/22 (pdf 88Kb) - issued on 26 October 2006. This circular provided information on FPS and NFPS Discussion Forum, Nomination of Dependent Partner for Survivor's Pension and dates of NFPS Options Workshops.
Circular 2006/20 (pdf 90Kb)- issued 13 September 2006. This circular provides information on the NFPS; Additional Guidance regarding the FPS and the new tax regime; revised advice on the widening definition of regular firefighter introduced from October 2004; and contact details. Attachments - A guide to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992: Scottish FPS ill-health pensions: Scottish NFPS 2006 Assessment of benefits for Retained Firefighters.
Circular 2006/18 (pdf 133Kb) - issued 28 June 2006. this circular provides information on The Firefighters' Compensation (Scotland) Order 2006 SSI 2006/338; The Firefighters' Pension Scheme Amendment (Scotland) Order 2006 SSI 2006/342 and Unmarried Partners-Completion of Nomination
Circular 2006/13 (pdf 73Kb) - issued 26 April 2006. This circular provides information on FPS amendments, new tax regime and new ill-health award arrangements.
2 Tier ill-health Guidance (pdf 49Kb)
Lifetime Allowance Declaration Form (pdf 29Kb)
Lifetime Allowance Declaration Form Notes (pdf 32Kb)
Circular 2006/10 (pdf 67Kb)-issued 5th April 2006. This circular provides information on the Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2006. SI2006No741 and Multiplier Tables at Pensions Increases.
Circular 2006/9 (pdf 498Kb) together with attachment (pdf 114Kb)- issued 4 April 2006. This circular provides information on the New Fire Pension Scheme Order.
Circular 2006/8 (pdf 58Kb) - issued 24th February 2006. This circular provides information on Transitional Arrangements: Career Breaks.
Circular 2006/7 (pdf 81Kb) - issued 21st February 2006. This circular provides an update on new FPS arrangements.
Circular 2006/3 (pdf 147Kb) - issued 10th February 2006. This circular provides guidance on A-day changes.
Circular 2006/2 (pdf 139Kb) - issued 10th February 2006. This circular provides an update on Pensions and new compensation arrangements.
2005
Circular 2005/19 (pdf 85Kb) - issued on 19 December 2005. This circular advises on two amending orders that came into force on 4th and 5th December respectively. The Firefighters Pension Scheme (Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/566) makes various amendments to the scheme some of which have retrospective effect. The Firefighters Pension Scheme (Civil Partnerships Amendments) (England and Scotland) Order 2005 (SI 2005/3228) makes necessary amendments to the scheme to implement the survivor pension provisions of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
Circular 2005/15 (pdf 108Kb ) - issued 15 September 2005. Advises on outcome of consultation exercise on pension changes for firefighters, the framework for a new scheme (Annex A) (pdf 203KB) and provides a Q&A on issues which are likely to concern existing members (Annex B)(130Kb)
Circular 2005/12 (pdf 70Kb) - issued 17th August 2005. This circular provides information on Salary Sacrifice, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings and New Address for Firefighters Ill-Health Appeals
Circular 2005/7 (pdf 68Kb) - issued 6th April 2005. This circular provides information on the Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2005
Circular 2005/5 Addendum (pdf 49Kb) - issued 10th May 2005. This Addendum to SFSC5/2005 advises on the need for referral to the Independent Qualified Medical Practitioner
Circular 2005/5 (pdf 110Kb) - issued 5th April 2005. This circular provides information on changes to ODPM Commentary (Rule H2) following the revised guidance provided in SFSC 5/2004; Protection of Pensionable Pay; and Injury Awards and Apportionment
2004
Circular 2004/12(pdf 190Kb) - This circular provides a Question and Answer Briefing on proposed new Firemen’s Pension Scheme
Circular 2004/10(pdf 168Kb) - This circular provides information Firemen’s on the Pension Scheme Amendment (Scotland) Order 2004
Circular 2004/5(pdf 161Kb) - This circular provides information on Management of Medical Appeals, New Forms, Key Learnings, Ombudsman’s case
Circular 2004/3(pdf 128Kb) - This circular provides an update on the following matters:
- Update on New Pension Scheme
- Amendments to FPS;
- Employment of Regular Firefighters as Retained Firefighters-Pension Implications
Circular 2004/2(pdf 105Kb) - This circular provides information on Pensions Increase 2004
2003
Circular 2003/3(pdf 128Kb) - This circular provides information on Reserve Forces Service Leave
Circular 2003/2(pdf 144Kb)- This circular provides information on ill-health Retirement
Circular 2003/1(pdf 167Kb) - This circular provides information on Regional Boards of Medical Referees – New Contract
2002
Circular 2002/7(pdf 220Kb) - This circular provides information on the following matters:
- Responsibilities of Regional Boards of Medical Referees and Fire Authorities;
- Commentary about FPS on ODPM website