11/04/2006

Government announce 'flexible' police pension scheme

A modernised police pension scheme has been announced that is designed to be more flexible and which will fit around modern lifestyles and working patterns of police officers.

The new Scheme follows a period of consultation and development by the Home Office, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Office.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has welcomed the launch of the pension scheme for the police service.

Commenting on the new proposals, Mr Woodward said: “This new, more flexible scheme is designed to fit modern lifestyles and working patterns of police officers today. It also incorporates recent changes brought about in tax rules for pensions.

The Minister said: “The new scheme will be more affordable and is designed to allow for greater diversity in careers and backgrounds, and to encourage the retention of skilled officers, while also allowing officers to leave the service short of a full career with a fair share of pension benefits. It also accords with the wider Government policy of raising the minimum pension age from 50 to 55 and introduces life-long survivor benefits for unmarried (including same sex) partners.”

The new scheme will be open to all new recruits from 6 April and to existing officers already in the Service who wish to transfer across later this year.

(EF/SP)

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