McCloud Pension Remedy

From 1 October 2023, eligible members of the Firefighters' pension scheme will be given choices about the benefits they receive for service between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. This is the Remedy Period, and these choices are referred to as 'remedy' - you may have also heard them being called the 'McCloud' remedy.

The regulations that govern this exercise have now been laid and come into force from 1 October 2023.

If you would like to discuss the McCloud Remedy with a member of our pensions team, email firepensions@cumbriafire.gov.uk 

What is the Remedy?

In April 2015 a new pension scheme (called FPS2015) was introduced. Most members moved to this new scheme in April 2015. As part of the roll out of the new scheme, members closest to their normal pension age were given 'protection' and remained on their legacy scheme after April 2015. This protection period ran from 1 April 2015 and ended for all members at 31 March 2022. This time period is now known as the 'remedy period'.

After a legal challenge, the courts determined that these protections were age discriminatory and not fair to all members of the pension scheme i.e. younger members in the scheme were missing out on additional years of benefits from the original pension schemes.

Who is Eligible for the Remedy?

Not all members are affected by the remedy period. Members that are eligible must:

  • Have been in pensionable service on or before 31 March 2012
  • Had pensionable service between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022
  • Not have a gap in service of 5 years or more (known as a disqualifying break)

Pensionable service does not have to have been in the Firefighter's Pension Scheme, it could also have been in another relevant public service pension scheme.

McCloud Remedy Update

Contribution Adjustments

From 1 October 2023, any pension scheme members in scope for the pension remedy will be ‘rolled back’ to their legacy scheme. Your legacy scheme will be either the 1992, 2006 or 2006 Modified Scheme. As the contribution rates vary between all the different schemes,  a contribution adjustment will be required. Some members may owe money (1992, 2006 Modified) or some members may be owed a refund (2006 scheme). Action to adjust contributions is triggered when members receive their Remediable Service Statement (RSS). When you receive your first RSS it will outline what the contribution adjustment will be. Contribution adjustments also include an adjustment for tax relief and will include interest. A factsheet is provided with more information on the Firefighters Pension Scheme website

RSS Information Sessions

Annual Benefits Statement and Remedial Service Statement Presentation