The New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Explanatory note

Reproduced verbatim from the instrument as published on legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). The note is prepared by the responsible government department and is not part of the instrument itself.

This Order amends the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 ( S.R. 2007 No. 215 ). The Schedule to this Order makes various amendments to the Scheme relating to retained firefighters. These include amendments to introduce new awards which are payable following the death of a retained firefighter, to extend the deadline for purchase of service during the extended limited period and to amend the eligibility criteria for some awards and conversions.

Article 1 introduces the term “retained firefighter opt-out member” and amends the definition of the “extended limited period” and “mandatory special period” for these members.

Article 2 amends article 11A(8) of Part 3 to expand the categories of member to whom a lump sum is payable under that article.

Article 3 introduces the missed pension lump sum grant and the survivor’s missed pension lump sum grant. It includes details of restrictions to be applied in respect of both grants. It also changes the eligibility criteria in article 35C (additional death grants) so that those eligible to join the Scheme under article 66A (election to purchase service during the limited period or the extended limited period) of Part 11, in addition to those who elected to join it, will be eligible for the additional death grant. Finally, it extends the deadline for applications for the death grant for the extended limited period and the additional death grant by 12 months.

Article 4 amends article 66B (election to purchase service during the limited period or the extended limited period: supplemental provision) of Part 11 to extend the deadline for making an election to purchase service.

Article 5 amends articles 84B (converting membership from standard membership to special membership) and 84C (converting membership from standard membership to special membership - special pensioner members) of Part 12 to extend the categories of members eligible to convert standard membership to special membership.

Article 6 amends Part 15 to allow a retained firefighter opt-out member, or the spouse, civil partner or child of a retained firefighter opt-out member, to purchase periods of opted-out service as special service.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.