Pensioners and Deferred Members

Pensioners (Retired Firefighter members)

As a retired member receiving your pension, you will know it is a valuable source of income in your retirement. This part of the portal is for people who are in receipt of a Firefighters pension. 

Pension Payments and Tax

Fire pensions are usually paid monthly, directly into your bank account, and are taxable.

• If you were a member of the 1992 Fire Pension Scheme (FPS) your pension will be paid in advance of the month
• If you were a member of the 2006 Fire Pension Scheme (NFPS) your pension is paid in arrears of the month 

If appropriate, Income Tax is deducted from your pension/allowance in accordance with instructions from HM Revenue and Customs. You will get a P60 after the end of each tax year, showing you the amount of pension paid and tax deducted during the year. If you believe that your Income Tax liability has been wrongly assessed at any time you should address any enquiry to: -

Pay As You Earn,
H.M. Revenue and Customs,
BX9 1AS
(Telephone: 0300 200 3300) 

Quoting the County Council reference of 334/EZ61724 and your payroll reference number and National Insurance number, which are shown at the top of your pay advice slips.

Pensions increase

Pensions are increased each April in line with inflation – this is called Pensions Increase. If your pension has been in payment for less than a year, you will not receive full Pensions Increase. Your pension will not be increased if you are below age 55 (unless you retired due to ill health). 

If you are eligible for Pensions Increase:

• your pension for April will include Pensions Increase to cover the part month April increase
• payments for May onwards will include Pensions Increase for the full month
• there will not be any Pensions Increase in years when CPI is zero 

Please refer to the attached Pensions Increase Leaflet for detailed pensions increase information. 

Re-employed Pensioners

Your pension may be subject to reduction or suspension if you are re-employed in a post that is subject to the same pension scheme provisions. If you enter such an employment you MUST IMMEDIATELY inform the Pension Administrators at ESCC. Failure to do this may result in an overpayment, which the scheme will take steps to recover. 

Changes to your personal information

In order to maintain the timely payment of your pension, please provide all changes of address, bank/building society details, name or marital status as soon as possible IN WRITING (with your signature) to ESCC Pensions. Changes of address and bank details cannot be accepted by telephone or e-mail. Please include your payroll reference number in any correspondence. 

Deferred Members

Your pension will become deferred (frozen) if you leave service or opt out of the Firefighters Pension Scheme and are no longer eligible for the pension contributions you have paid into the scheme to be refunded to you. You may be able to transfer the benefits to another pension scheme.

Your deferred pension can be paid:

• when you reach age 65 or State Pension Age (SPA)
• from age 55 if East Sussex Fire and Rescue agrees – your pension would be reduced for early payment. Please note this is not applicable to all schemes - refer to the 'Discretions' section of the portal for more detail.
• from any age on ill health grounds

Your pension will be index linked and a pension statement would be sent to you each year so please write and inform the Pensions Administrator if you move home.

Please follow the ‘Planning for Retirement or Re-employment after Retirement’ process if you wish to start taking benefits from your deferred pension. 

Information for Pensioners