Although the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme is a national statutory public service scheme, it is administered locally. This page provides information on how to access your pension benefits, McCloud or Sargeant and Matthews Remedies.
The Firefighters’ Pension Schemes
Active members are all part of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015.
The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 and New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme/The Modified (RDS) Scheme 2006 are closed schemes as of 31 March 2022. This means they are not open to new entrants or contributions. Legacy benefits accrued from these schemes are protected.
You can find information via the following link about benefits available from the:
- closed Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992 (FPS 1992)
- closed new Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006 (NFPS 2006)/The Modified (RDS) Scheme 2006
- current Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FPS 2015)
Member Portal
Members can access their information online via a new secure Member Portal:
Access the Member Portal (Hampshire Pension Services) (external link)Once you have registered to use it, the portal allows you to:
- check that your details are correct and up to date
- add or amend an 'expression of wish' for payment of a death grant
- change your address, name or marital status
- securely view Annual Benefit Statements
If you would like additional support, contact our administration team.
McCloud or Sargeant Remedy
When public sector pension schemes changed from final salary to career average in 2014 and 2015, older members were offered protection from the effect of the changes. However, in 2018, the Courts found that younger members had been discriminated against because these protections did not apply to them.
As a result, the Firefighters Pension Scheme regulations were changed to remove this age discrimination. This is called either the McCloud or Sargeant Remedy.
More information about the McCloud or Sargeant Remedy including videos for active, deferred and pensioner members, and frequently asked questions is available from Hampshire Pension Services and the Firefighters Pension Scheme websites.
Those affected do not need to do anything and will have been automatically contacted. If you don’t believe you have been notified, contact the administrator.
Matthews 'Second Option Exercise'
A legal settlement under the Part-Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 allowed certain retained firefighters with service between 1 July 2000 and 5 April 2006 to become members of the Firefighters Pension Scheme.
The Court has subsequently ruled that certain retained firefighters' service going back to the start of their employment could be taken into account to become members of the Firefighters Pension Scheme.
An exercise is being undertaken by the Fire & Rescue Authority to allow eligible retained firefighters to buy pension service as a special member of the FPS 2006, backdated to the start date of their employment.
Frequently asked questions have been answered on the Firefighters Pension Scheme Matthews Remedy website. The LGA have published a member guidance document and have also produced a podcast to support members.
Due to the complexities and each case being unique to the individual member we are unable to give updates as to the progress of each case but can provide assurance the dedicated team are working on providing statements accurately and as quickly as possible.
The West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Local Pension board are provided with regular updates on Matthews and this is published within the meeting papers.