Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2015/1013/made
Timestamp: 2018-01-21 09:06:35
Document Index: 722939651

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 10', 'art 2', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 3', 'art 6', 'art 8', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 9', 'art 5', 'art 9', 'art 4', 'art 10', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 2', 'art 5', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11']

Fire And Rescue Services, Wales
Pensions, Wales
This Order is made in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 34, 60 and 62 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004(1).
Before making this Order, and in accordance with section 34(5) of that Act, the Welsh Ministers consulted such persons as they considered appropriate.
The Welsh Ministers make the following Order:
1.—(1) The title of this Order is the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme and Pension Scheme (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2015.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), this Order comes into force on 31 March 2015.
(3) The amendments made by the following provisions come into force on 1 April 2015—
(a)article 2; and
(b)paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule 2 to this Order and article 3 so far as it relates to those paragraphs.
(4) The amendments made by paragraphs 1, 2(1) and (3), 3(1) and (2) and 4 of Schedule 2 to this Order, and by article 3 so far as it relates to those paragraphs, have effect from 1 April 2014(2).
Amendment of the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Wales) Order 2007
2. Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Wales) Order 2007(3) is amended in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Order.
3. Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) Order 2007(4) is amended in accordance with Schedule 2 to this Order.
SCHEDULE 1Amendment of the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Wales) Order 2007
Amendment of Part 1 (general provisions)
1.—(1) Part 1 is amended as follows.
““the 2015 Regulations” means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) Regulations 2015(5);”;
““the 2015 Scheme” means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 set out in the 2015 Regulations;”;
““active member of the 2015 Scheme” has the meaning given in regulation 28 (active membership) of the 2015 Regulations;”;
““active member’s account” means the account established under regulation 40 (establishment of active member’s account) of the 2015 Regulations;”;
““eligible child’s pension” has the meaning given in regulation 91 (eligible child’s pension) of the 2015 Regulations;”;
““final pay” has the meaning given in regulation 102 (meaning of “final pay”) of the 2015 Regulations;”;
““scheme employment” has the meaning given in regulation 15 (scheme employment) of the 2015 Regulations;”;
(b)for the definition of “normal pension age” substitute—
““normal pension age” in relation to employees of a fire and rescue authority appointed on terms under which they are or may be required to engage in firefighting—
in relation to the 2007 Scheme, means 60;
in relation to the 2015 Scheme, means 60(6);”;
(c)in the definition of “pensionable pay”, for sub-paragraph (c) substitute—
“(c)in relation to a person who is a member of the 2015 Scheme, shall be construed in accordance with regulation 26 (pensionable pay) of the 2015 Regulations;
(d)in the definition of “pensionable service”, at the end insert—
(i)if applicable, any periods of pensionable service in relation to the 1992 Scheme or the 2007 Scheme that relate to the person’s employment which is the same as, or most similar to, the employment in respect of which the award is payable;
(ii)if applicable, any periods of pensionable service relating to any transfer value payments accepted under Part 10 (transfers) of the 2015 Regulations in respect of the person’s accrued rights under another occupational pension scheme;
(iii)if applicable, any periods of service relating to any pension account entries transferred in accordance with regulation 158 (transfer of pension account entries) of the 2015 Regulations; and
(iv)if applicable, any periods of service relating to an added pension account established under regulation 47 (establishment of added pension account) of the 2015 Regulations relating to the member’s scheme employment in respect of which the award is payable, such periods of service are to be calculated in accordance with such guidance as is provided for the purpose by the Government Actuary;”;
(e)for the definition of “relevant service” substitute—
an election under rule 5 of Part 2 of the 2007 Scheme;
rule G2A(7) of the 1992 Scheme;
rule 4 of Part 11 of the 2007 Scheme; or
regulation 122(3) (contributions during child-related leave) of the 2015 Regulations; or
a failure to exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 (opting into this scheme) of the 2015 Regulations;”.
(a)after the words “the 2007 Scheme”, where they occur for the first time, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;
“(c)regulation 26 of the 2015 Regulations in the case of a person who—
(ii)did not exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations;
(d)rule 1 of Part 11 of the 2007 Scheme, where an election had been made at different times under the 1992 Scheme and the 2007 Scheme;
(e)except where sub-paragraph (d) applies, regulation 26 of the 2015 Regulations, in the case of a person who had at different times, in relation to all of the schemes (namely, the 1992 Scheme, the 2007 Scheme and the 2015 Scheme), or a combination of any two of them—
“(3A) Where, in accordance with paragraph (1), the definition of pensionable pay is to be construed in the case of a person in accordance with the 2015 Scheme, the award must be calculated on the basis of the pay which would have been the final pay if the person had not, in respect of sub-paragraph (c)(i), exercised an option, or in respect of sub-paragraph (c)(ii) failed to exercise an option.”
Amendment of Part 2 (injury awards and duty related compensation)
(2) In rule 3 (compensation for death or permanent incapacity while on duty), in paragraph (8), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.
(3) In rule 4 (commutation of small compensatory pensions), in paragraph (1)(b), after “the 2007 Scheme (pension credit member’s entitlement to pension)” insert “or regulation 114 of the 2015 Regulations (entitlement to pension credit members’ pension)”.
3.—(1) Part 3 is amended as follows.
(i)for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “or the deceased’s final pensionable pay or the deceased’s final pay, as the case may be”;
(ii)in paragraph (3)(a)(ii), after “the 2007 Scheme (ill health award)” insert “or regulation 74 of the 2015 Regulations”;
(b)in paragraph (4), for “as the case may be, his final pensionable pay” substitute “the deceased’s final pensionable pay or the deceased’s final pay, as the case may be”.
(a)who is a member of the 2007 Scheme;
(b)who first takes up employment with a fire and rescue authority on or after 6 April 2006 and is entitled to be a member of the 2007 Scheme but elects not to pay pension contributions;
(ii)does not exercise an option to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations.”
(b)who first takes up employment with a fire and rescue authority on or after 6 April 2006 and is entitled to be a member of the 2007 Scheme, but elects not to pay pension contributions;
(a)who is a member of the 2007 Scheme on the day on which the person dies;
(b)in respect of whom an election under rule 5(1) of Part 2 of the 2007 Scheme not to make pension contributions has effect on the day on which the person dies;
(ii)has not exercised an option to become an active member of that scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations on the day on which the person dies.”
4. In Part 5, in rule 5 (increase of pensions and allowances during first 13 weeks)—
(a)at the end of paragraph (2)(c) insert—
(b)in paragraph (5), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or an eligible child’s pension under the 2015 Regulations”; and
(c)in paragraph (7), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.
5. In Part 7, in rule 2 (awards to servicemen), in paragraph (3)(b), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.
6.—(1) Part 7A is amended as follows.
(2) In rule 1 (interpretation of Part 7A), in paragraph (1)(a)(ii), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.
(a)in paragraph (2), for “has effect” substitute “and regulation 65 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) of the 2015 Regulations have effect”;
(b)for paragraph (3)(a) substitute—
“(a)pay the reservist, instead of an ill-health pension under rule 2 of Part 3 of the 2007 Scheme or under regulation 65 of the 2015 Regulations, a pension at the rate of one twelfth of the reservist’s final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be, and”.
(4) In rule 3 (awards on death of reservists), at the end of paragraph (2) insert “or increase any pension or eligible child’s pension payable under Chapter 3 of Part 6 of the 2015 Regulations.”
7. In Part 8, in rule 2 (award for or in relation to a volunteer firefighter)—
(a)in paragraph (1), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;
“(3) The following provisions apply in relation to the awards to which a person, by virtue of paragraph (2), may be entitled:
(b)rule 9 (commutation: general) or rule 11 (allocation of pension) of Part 3 of the 2007 Scheme;
(c)regulation 118 (commutation of part of pension) or Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations.”;
(a)a person to whom paragraph (1) applies must be treated for the purposes of rule B3 (ill-health awards) of the 1992 Scheme as having been a regular firefighter falling within the description in paragraph (10) below; and rules B7 (commutation), B9 (allocation), B10 (limitation of commuted or allocated portion), K1 (review of ill-health and certain deferred pensions), K1A (consequences of review) and K3 (reduction in case of default) of the 1992 Scheme apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which the person is thus entitled;
(i)has become a member of the 2007 Scheme, rule 9 or 11 of Part 3 of the 2007 Scheme, rule 1 of Part 9 of that Scheme (review of ill-health pension) and rule 2 of that Part (consequences of review) apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which the person is thus entitled;
(ii)has become a member of the 2015 Scheme, regulation 109 (commutation of part of pension), Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5, regulation 77 (review of ill-health award or early payment of retirement pension) and regulation 78 (consequences of review) of the 2015 Regulations apply accordingly in relation to the awards to which the person is thus entitled.”; and
(i)after the words “the 2007 Scheme”, where they occur for the first time, insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;
(ii)after the words “the 2007 Scheme (award on ill-health retirement)” insert “or under regulation 74 (entitlement to lower tier ill-health pension and higher tier ill-health pension) of the 2015 Regulations”.
8. In Part 9 (review, withdrawal and forfeiture of awards), in rule 2 (reduction of award in case of default)—
(a)after paragraph (2)(b)(ii) insert—
“(iii)if the person is a member of the 2015 Scheme, their state pension age, or 65 if that is higher(8),”;
(b)in paragraph (3), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or Chapter 7 of Part 4 of the 2015 Regulations”.
9.—(1) Part 10 is amended as follows.
(a)in paragraph (1)(b), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”;
(i)in sub-paragraph (a), for “or rule 11 of the 2007 Scheme” substitute “, rule 11 of Part 3 of the 2007 Scheme or Chapter 6 of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations”;
(ii)in sub-paragraph (b), after “2007 Scheme (pension credit member’s entitlement to pension)” insert “or regulation 114 (entitlement to pension credit members’ pension) of the 2015 Regulations”; and
(iii)in sub-paragraph (c), after “2007 Scheme (guaranteed minimum pensions)” insert “or regulation 175 (guaranteed minimum pension) of the 2015 Regulations”;
(c)in paragraph (3), for “as the case may be, rule 4 of Part 14 of the 2007 Scheme” substitute “rule 4 of Part 14 of the 2007 Scheme, or regulation 17 (service in two or more scheme employments) and regulation 18 (application of Chapter 2 – Pensionable service) of the 2015 Regulations, as the case may be”; and
(d)in paragraph (4)(a), at the end insert—
“(m)under regulation 67 or 74 of the 2015 Regulations, a retirement pension or a lower tier ill-health pension or a higher tier ill-health pension, or”.
(a)in paragraph (1), at the appropriate place insert—
““regulation 74 award” means an entitlement to a lower tier ill-health pension or a higher tier ill-health pension under regulation 74 of the 2015 Regulations;”;
(b)in paragraph (2)(b)(i), after “a rule 2 award,” insert “a regulation 74 award,”;
(c)in paragraphs (3) and (4), for “or, as the case may be, the rule 2 award”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “or the rule 2 award or the regulation 74 award, as the case may be,”.
(4) In rule 5 (prevention of duplication: other awards for spouses or children of persons who are both regular and retained firefighters), after paragraph (3)(l) insert—
“(m)a surviving partner’s pension under regulations 87, 88 or 89 of the 2015 Regulations,
(n)a surviving partner’s bereavement pension under regulation 90 of the 2015 Regulations,
(o)an eligible child’s pension under regulations 95, 96 or 97 of the 2015 Regulations,
(p)an eligible child’s bereavement pension under regulation 101 of the 2015 Regulations,
(q)a lump sum payable on death under regulations 105 and 106 of the 2015 Regulations.”
10.—(1) Schedule 1 is amended as follows.
(a)after paragraph 1 insert—
“1A.—(1) In the event that an award becomes payable in respect of a qualifying injury sustained in the course of employment in relation to which a person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in the Table means the total of—
(b)if applicable, any relevant service in relation to the 1992 Scheme or the 2007 Scheme that relates to the person’s employment which is the same as, or most similar to, the employment in respect of which the award is payable.
(2) In the event that an award is payable to a person who is not an active member of the 2015 Scheme, or has elected not to make pension contributions under the 2007 Scheme or the 1992 Scheme, when calculating an award payable under this scheme, the person’s ‘relevant service’ is determined according to the pension scheme the person would have been eligible to be a member of when they sustained the qualifying injury.
(3) In sub-paragraph (2), “eligible to be a member” means a person’s eligibility to be a member of any of the 1992 Scheme, the 2007 Scheme and the 2015 Scheme, pursuant to rule A3 (exclusive application to regular firefighters) of the 1992 Scheme, rule 1 of Part 2 of the 2007 Scheme or regulation 16 of, or Schedule 2 to, the 2015 Regulations, as the case may be.”;
(b)in paragraph 1, in the headings in the Table, for “or, as the case may be, final pensionable pay” in both places where the words occur substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;
(c)in paragraph 2(1), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or regulation 74 of the 2015 Regulations”;
(d)in paragraph 2(2), after “the 2007 Scheme”—
(ii)where the words occur for the second time, insert “or regulation 122(3) of the 2015 Regulations or failed to exercise an option to become an active member of the 2015 Scheme in accordance with regulation 21 of the 2015 Regulations”;
(e)in paragraph 2(3)(a), after “the 2007 Scheme” insert “or regulation 118 (commutation of part of pension) or Chapter 6 (allocation of part of pension) of Part 5 of the 2015 Regulations”.
(a)in paragraph 2(1), for “or, as the case may be, the final pensionable pay” substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;
(b)after paragraph 2(2) insert—
“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in B, C and D means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”
(4) In Part 3 (calculation of awards for retained or volunteer service), in paragraph 1, for “paragraph 1” substitute “the table in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of this Schedule”.
(a)in paragraph 1, for “or, as the case may be, final pensionable pay” substitute “final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;
(i)in sub-paragraph (1), for “or, as the case may be, the final pensionable pay” substitute “, the final pensionable pay or the final pay, as the case may be”;
“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in B, C and D means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”;
“(3) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in C means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”
(3) In Part 2 (award for surviving spouse of post-retirement marriage where deceased is a member of the 1992 Scheme but not a member of the 2007 Scheme), in paragraph 1(1)(b), after “2007 Scheme” insert “or the 2015 Scheme”.
12. In Part 1 (child’s special allowance) of Schedule 3—
(a)in paragraph 1, for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay” substitute “, the deceased’s final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;
(b)in paragraph 4(2), for “or, as the case may be, the final pensionable pay”, substitute “, the final pensionable pay or the final pay, as the case may be,”;
“(2) Where the person is or is eligible to be an active member in the 2015 Scheme, “relevant service” in C means the total of the service referred to in paragraph 1A(1)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 1.”
13. In Part 1 (adult dependent relative’s special pension) of Schedule 4—
(a)in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, for “or, as the case may be, his final pensionable pay”, in each place where the words occur, substitute “, final pensionable pay or final pay, as the case may be”;
(i)after “final pensionable pay” insert “or final pay”;
(ii)the existing provision becomes sub-paragraph (1);
(iii)after sub-paragraph (1) insert—
1. In Part 1, in rule 2(1) (interpretation)—
““the 2015 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2015”) means the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) Regulations 2015(9) which established the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) 2015;”;
““full protection member of this Scheme” (“aelod diogelwch llawn o’r Cynllun hwn”) means a person who is a full protection member of this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations;”;
““provisionally enrolled member” (“aelod cofrestredig dros dro”) has the meaning given in rule 1(11) of Part 2;”;
““tapered protection member of this Scheme” (“aelod diogelwch taprog o’r Cynllun hwn”) means a person who is a tapered protection member of this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 to the 2015 Regulations;”;
(b)for the definition of “limited period” substitute—
““limited period” (“cyfnod cyfyngedig”) means the period beginning on 1 July 2000 or if later, the date falling before 6 April 2006 on which the person was first employed as a retained firefighter and ending on—
the date on which that person joined this Scheme as a special member or as a standard member in respect of service which the member could otherwise reckon as special pensionable service, and
the date, if applicable, on which the person ceased to be employed as a retained or a regular firefighter;
in the case of a person who joins this Scheme as a provisionally enrolled member on 31 March 2015 and who on or after 1 April 2015—
does not become a full protection member of this Scheme or a tapered protection member of this Scheme, 31 March 2015,
(c)in the definition of “special deferred member”, for “1A(5) to (8)” substitute “1A(6) to (9)”;
(d)in the definition of “special eligibility conditions”, for “has the meaning given” substitute “means the conditions specified”;
(e)in the definition of “special firefighter member”, for “1A(1) to (4)” substitute “1A(1) to (5)”;
(f)in the definition of “special pensioner member”, for “1A(9) to (13)” substitute “1A(10) to (14)”.
3.—(1) Part 11 is amended as follows.
(2) In rule 6A (election to purchase service during the limited period)—
(a)in paragraph (2) of the English text, before “which they are” insert “to”; and
(b)after paragraph (13) insert—
“(14) In respect of the pension contributions referred to at paragraph (12), interest is payable in respect of contributions payable from and including 6 April 2006 until the date on which the person joins this Scheme as a standard member (“the assumed standard period”).
(a)for the purposes of calculating interest under this paragraph, it must be assumed that in respect of the assumed standard period, pension contributions were payable by monthly periodic contributions from the date that the member’s first standard monthly contribution would have been paid;
(c)in relation to assumed standard period pension contributions which are paid by lump sum contribution, interest must be calculated by applying the past interest rate to the contribution payable in accordance with rule 3(1) of Part 11 compounded monthly between the month each contribution would have been made in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) until the calculation date;
(i)interest must be calculated as for a lump sum contribution under sub-paragraph (c);
(ii)the amount of interest payable must then be adjusted in accordance with tables provided by the Scheme Actuary so as to allow for interest at the future interest rate in relation to the period from the calculation date to the date that the contribution is paid, so as to discharge liability over a period of ten years;
“assumed standard period pension contributions” (“cyfraniadau pensiwn cyfnod safonol tybiedig”) means the pension contribution payable in respect of a special member’s service during the assumed standard period under rule 6A of Part 11;
“calculation date” (“dyddiad cyfrifo”) means—
“future interest rate” (“cyfradd llog y dyfodol”) is a rate equivalent to 1.5% plus the FTSE Actuaries UK Gilt 10 years yield index less the average of the FTSE Actuaries UK Index-linked Gilt 5 to 15 years index with assumed inflation rates of 0% and 5%;
“past interest rate” (“cyfradd llog gynt”) is a rate equivalent to the interest available on the most recent issue of five-year fixed interest savings certificates from National Savings and Investments available on the 15th day of each month which would have been applicable to the period in question.”
(3) In rule 6B (election to purchase service during the limited period: supplemental provision), at the end of paragraph (12) insert “except where an election is made by a provisionally enrolled member, in which case, the election may not take effect after 29 February 2016”.
(4) After rule 6B insert—
6C.—(1) (1)Subject to paragraph (3), a person who satisfies the conditions in paragraph (2) of this rule joins this Scheme as a provisionally enrolled member on 31 March 2015.
(a)on or before 31 March 2015—
(i)the person has been notified by the authority, that they may be entitled to join this Scheme as a special member, pursuant to rule 5A(4) of this Part; or
(ii)the authority, referred to at rule 5A(4) of this Part, has received from the person an application for a statement of service, pursuant to rule 5A(5) of this Part.
(3) A person cannot become a provisionally enrolled member if, on or before 31 March 2015, the person—
(b)has informed the authority that they do not want to elect to join this Scheme as a special member; or
(c)has been notified by the authority that they are no longer eligible to join this Scheme as a special member.
(4) On or before 31 May 2015 the authority must give a provisionally enrolled member a notice as referred to under rule 5A(13) of this Part, unless the authority has already provided the person with such a notice.
(a)gives the authority written notice of their election to pay mandatory special period pension contributions in respect of their service during the mandatory special period under rule 6A of this Part, the election takes effect on the day on which the notice of election is received by the authority, and the person ceases to be a provisionally enrolled member of this Scheme and becomes a special member of this Scheme;
(b)does not give the authority written notice on or before 29 February 2016 of their election to pay mandatory special period pension contributions in respect of their service during the mandatory special period under rule 6A of this Part, the person ceases to be a provisionally enrolled member of this Scheme.”
4. In Annex ZA, for the Table substitute—
65 16.6”.
5. For the Table in paragraph 5 of Annex A1 substitute the following Table—
Contribution rate from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,150
More than £121,200
Contribution rate from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,301
More than £122,412
Contribution rate from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,454
More than £123,636
Contribution rate from 1 April 2018 (percentage of pensionable pay)
Up to and including £15,609
More than £124,872
12.5%”.
6.—(1) In the Table in paragraph 6 of Annex AB1, in the heading of the fourth column, after “2014” insert “to 31 March 2015”.
(2) After the Table in paragraph 6 of Annex AB1 insert—
17.0%”.
This Order amends Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Compensation Scheme (Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1073 (W. 111)) which provides for a compensation scheme for firefighters and dependants of firefighters in Wales (“the Compensation Scheme”). The amendments to the Compensation Scheme set out in Schedule 1 to this Order are consequential on the coming into force of the Firefighter’s Pension Scheme (Wales) 2015 (“the 2015 Scheme”) set out in the Firefighters’ Pension (Wales) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/622 (W. 50)) for firefighters employed by fire and rescue authorities in Wales.
This Order also amends Schedule 1 to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1072 (W. 110)) which sets out the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) (“the 2007 Scheme”).
Some of the amendments made by article 3 of this Order have effect from 1 April 2014. The power to provide for an order to have effect from a date that is earlier than that on which it is made is conferred by section 34(3) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21).
The main effects of the amendments made by Schedule 1 to this Order to the Compensation Scheme are the insertion of references to relevant provisions of the 2015 Scheme to ensure that the provisions of the Compensation Scheme apply to members of the 2015 Scheme, the 2007 Scheme and the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (set out in Schedule 2 to S.I. 1992/129).
The main effects of the amendments made by Schedule 2 to this Order to the 2007 Scheme are to:
(a)update provisions and terminology as a consequence of the coming into force of the 2015 Scheme;
(b)make minor amendments to clarify references in the definitions of special deferred member, special eligibility criteria, special firefighter member, and special pensioner member;
(c)clarify provisions relating to the payment of interest;
(d)to extend the time available to fire and rescue authorities to complete the options exercise for the ‘modified scheme’ up to a maximum of 2 months. The 2007 Scheme was amended in December 2014 to introduce provisions enabling individuals employed as retained firefighters during the period 1 July 2000 to 5 April 2006, to purchase pension benefits in respect of this employment (“the Modified Scheme”). Fire and rescue authorities had until 31 December 2015 to undertake and conclude an options exercise to identify all those former and current employees with an entitlement to join the Modified Scheme. The provisions extend this time period by 2 months ;
(e)amend the commutation factors table set out in Annex ZA to reflect the commutation factors as on 31 March 2014;
(f)uprate the contribution bands by 1% per annum each year until 1 April 2018. Annex A1 of the 2007 Scheme sets out the contribution rates payable by members which are determined by reference to the applicable pensionable pay band. Annex AB1 sets out the contribution rates for special members. This Order amends both tables to provide an annual 1% uplift in the pay bands until 2018.
The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of a Regulatory Impact Assessment was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Fire and Armed Forces Branch, Welsh Government, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ or by calling 0300 062 8221.
2004 c. 21. The powers conferred by sections 34 and 60 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 are now vested in Welsh Ministers so far as they are exercisable in relation to Wales. They were previously vested in the National Assembly for Wales by virtue of section 62 of that Act. By virtue of paragraphs 30 and 32 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), they were transferred to the Welsh Ministers. Section 34 was amended by paragraph 27 of Schedule 8 to the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (c. 25).
See section 34(3) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21). An order made under this section may take effect from a date which is earlier than that on which the order is made.
S.I. 2007/1073 (W. 111) amended by S.I. 2014/3256 (W. 331).
S.I. 2007/1072 (W. 110) as amended by S.I. 2009/1225 (W. 108), 2010/234, 2012/972 (W. 127), 2013/735 (W. 87), 2013/1577 (W. 145), 2014/523 (W. 64) and 2014/3254 (W. 330).
S.I. 2015/622 (W. 50).
See section 10(2) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (c. 25).
Rule G2A was inserted by S.I. 2004/1912 and amended by S.I. 2006/1672 (W. 160).
See section 10 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (c. 25) for meaning of “state pension age”.