The current pension situation for officers is “grossly unfair”, says Cleveland Police Federation.

20 July 2024

The current pension situation for officers is “grossly unfair”, Cleveland Police Federation has said, as it persuades the national Federation to seek legal action on behalf of all members.

In 2015, officers were transferred from the legacy pension scheme to the Career Average Revalued Earning (CARE) scheme.

However, following the McCloud/Sargeant judgement in 2018, which found the transitional protections afforded to certain officers to be unlawful due to age discrimination, officers were offered seven years of benefits in their original scheme for the period 2015-2022 – this is the pensions remedy.

But there are still inequalities between what different officers will receive upon retirement, said Paul Crowley, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, who approached the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) to seek legal recourse.

Paul said: "As it currently stands, two officers who joined the police on the same day but are different ages are treated differently by the interactions of the legacy pension scheme and the CARE pension scheme.

“It means that the younger officer must choose between working longer to avoid an actuarial reduction on the CARE scheme, but also receives an actuarial reduction on their commutation payment. 

“Alternatively, if an officer works to age 55 to avoid the actuarial reduction on the CARE scheme benefits, they will be unable to access the legacy scheme benefits that would be payable if the officer retired.  Quite frankly, this is grossly unfair and affects a considerable number of officers within Cleveland.

“After recent discussions with our colleagues in Region 2, collectively we took decisive action to bring a paper of consideration to the National Council for the Police Federation of England and Wales to seek appropriate legal action on behalf of the wider membership on this matter.

“I am pleased to announce that this paper was agreed, and that the national Federation is now seeking advice on all available options, including legal routes. Wherever possible, updates will be announced as progress continues."