The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2014, specifically updating the member contribution structure detailed in Regulation 110.
The changes, effective from 1st April 2026, introduce revised annual pensionable pay thresholds and corresponding contribution rates, while also establishing a mechanism to automatically increase these thresholds annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (or another index decided by the Secretary of State).
Furthermore, the amendments standardize the terminology used when calculating contributions for retained, volunteer, and part-time firefighters.
Arguments For
Ensures the scheme remains financially sound by periodically updating contribution rates to reflect current economic conditions and pay scales.
Provides clarity and fairness by replacing vague terms like 'for the year' with specific contribution tables applicable from a fixed date (1st April 2026).
Incorporates an automatic inflation-proofing mechanism through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) linkage, ensuring that contribution thresholds maintain their real value over time without needing annual primary legislation amendments.
Standardizes terminology within the regulations by replacing 'reference pay' with 'annual pensionable pay' for greater consistency in calculations.
Arguments Against
Introducing new contribution rates and thresholds may negatively impact the disposable income of lower-paid firefighters immediately following the introduction date.
Relying on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for annual increases might not align perfectly with firefighters' actual salary progression or the specific cost of living pressures faced by this group, especially if the Secretary of State opts for an alternative index.
The amendment process, even if minor, requires administrative effort from employers and pension administrators to implement the new tables and indexing rules accurately starting April 1st, 2026.
Defining the adjustment process based on September's index figure means pension contributions for the year starting April 1st are set based on data from the preceding September, potentially leading to a lag in accurately reflecting current inflation.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 277
PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS, ENGLAND
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Made - - - -
at 11.04 a.m. on 11th March 2026 at 4.00 p.m. on 11th March 2026
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force - -
1st April 2026
These details identify the legislative instrument as a Statutory Instrument from 2026, numbered 277, concerning Public Service Pensions within England.
The title specifies that it amends the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England).
The signing and laying occurred on March 11th, 2026, and the regulations officially came into force on April 1st, 2026.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(1) and (2)(f), 2(1), 3(1), (2)(a) and (3)(a) and (c) of, and paragraph 6(a) of Schedule 2 and paragraph 9(a) and (b) of Schedule 3 to, the Public Service Pensions Act 2013( 1 ).
The Secretary of State issues these rules using specific powers granted under the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.
These powers cover establishing scheme provisions, making amendments, and handling associated administrative aspects outlined in various sections and schedules of that 2013 Act.
In accordance with section 22(2)(a) of that Act, the Secretary of State has consulted with representatives of such persons as appear likely to be affected by these Regulations, with a view to reaching agreement with them.
Before making the Regulations, the relevant Secretary of State fulfilled the requirement under the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 to consult with groups likely to be impacted.
This consultation aimed to secure agreement regarding the proposed changes to the pension scheme.
In accordance with section 22(2)(b) of that Act, the Secretary of State has laid a report before Parliament.
In compliance with the legislation, the Secretary of State presented a formal report to Parliament regarding the enactment of these Regulations.
In accordance with section 3(5) of that Act, these Regulations are made with the consent of the Treasury.
The Treasury formally consented to the making of these Regulations, as required by section 3(5) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
- (2) These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2026.
- (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.
The first section outlines how the rules are officially referenced (citation) and specifies that they become effective on April 1st, 2026.
It also states that these regulations apply geographically to both England and Wales.
Amendment to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2014
- -(1) Regulation 110 (member contributions) of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2014( 2 ) is amended as follows.
This sets out the primary purpose of the instrument: to modify Regulation 110, which deals with how members contribute to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme established under the 2014 Regulations.
- (2) In paragraph (2)-
( 1 ) 2013 c. 25; section 3(1) was amended by section 94(2) of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7); there are other amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
( 2 ) S.I. 2014/2848, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
These are footnotes referencing the underlying legislation: the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (as amended) and the principal Firefighters' Pension Scheme Regulations from 2014.
These references confirm the legal basis for the amendments being made.
- (a) omit 'for the year';
- (b) for 'appropriate' substitute 'second';
- (c) for the tables substitute-
' For each scheme year beginning on or after 1st April 2026
| Annual pensionable pay thresholds | Contribution rate applied to annual pensionable pay | |-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Up to £36,130 | 11.09% | | £36,131 to £45,507 | 12.59% | | £45,408 to £66,908 | 14.09% | | £66,909 to £190,691 | 15.59% | | £190,692 or more | 17.09%.'.
Sub-paragraph (2) details specific textual replacements within the existing contribution rules.
It removes the phrase 'for the year', changes the term 'appropriate' to 'second', and inserts a new table defining contribution bands and rates that apply starting April 1st, 2026.
This new table sets contribution rates ranging from 11.09% up to 17.09% based on specific annual pensionable pay brackets.
(3) After paragraph (2) insert-
'(2A) The figures in the column headed 'Annual pensionable pay thresholds' in the table in paragraph (2) above are to be increased on 1st April 2027 and on 1st April of each subsequent year, if there is a relevant increase in the consumer prices index or, should the Secretary of State decide, any other index of the general level of prices in the United Kingdom, by the appropriate percentage for the scheme year rounded up to the nearest £100.
(2B) For the purposes of paragraph (2A), where there is a relevant increase after 1st April 2027, the figures to be increased on the relevant date are the figures applicable to the previous scheme year.
(2C) There is a relevant increase in the consumer prices index or any other index of the general level of prices in the United Kingdom for a scheme year if the index for the month of September before that scheme year is higher than that for the previous September.
(2D) The appropriate percentage for the scheme year is the same percentage as any percentage increase in the consumer prices index or any other index of the general level of prices in the United Kingdom decided by the Secretary of State over the period specified by paragraph (2C).
(2E) For the purposes of paragraphs (2A)-(2D), 'consumer prices index' means the general index of consumer prices (for all items) published by the Statistics Board( 3 ).'.
New paragraphs (2A) through (2E) establish an annual review mechanism for the pay thresholds shown in the table mentioned above.
These thresholds will increase annually starting April 1st, 2027, if there is a 'relevant increase' in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or an alternative index chosen by the Secretary of State, rounded to the nearest £100.
A relevant increase is defined by comparing the September index figure before the scheme year starts to the previous September's figure.
The percentage increase applied is derived directly from this measured inflation change.
- (4) In paragraph (3) for 'reference pay' substitute 'annual pensionable pay'.
(5) In paragraph (4) for 'the amount of pensionable pay of a whole-time regular firefighter of equivalent role and length of service' substitute 'that firefighter's annual pensionable pay'.
These final amendments standardize terminology within the contribution calculation rules in paragraphs (3) and (4) of the existing regulation.
They replace the older terms 'reference pay' and a lengthy descriptive phrase regarding pensionable pay with the clarified term 'annual pensionable pay' throughout the relevant clauses.
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
This note clarifies that the version of the document shown is the initial version as it was created and enacted, and it has not yet been amended since its original making.
We consent to the making of these Regulations
3rd March 2026
gen Kitchen Christian Wakeford Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury HM Treasury
This section confirms that the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury provided their formal consent to these Regulations on March 3rd, 2026, binding them to the financial oversight of the scheme.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
at 11.04 a.m. on 11th March 2026
Samantha Dixon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
This verifies the authority under which the document was signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on March 11th, 2026.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend regulation 110 (member contributions) of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2848).
Regulation 2(2) updates the annual pensionable pay thresholds and the rates payable at each level from 1st April 2026.
Regulation 2(3) provides for the annual pensionable pay bands to be increased on the first day of each scheme year by reference to the consumer price index or a similar index.
Regulation 2(4) and (5) amends the definition of pensionable pay used to calculate pension contributions for retained, volunteer and part-time firefighters.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
This note summarizes the effect of the amendments without being part of the legally binding rules.
Specifically, it highlights that Regulation 2(2) updates the contribution rates and salary bands starting April 2026, Regulation 2(3) introduces the annual indexing rule based on CPI, and 2(4) and (5) clarifies calculations for specific types of firefighters.
The note also states that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary as significant economic effects were not anticipated.