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Peter Duncombe dedicated 35 years of his life to serving as a retained firefighter in Buckinghamshire, and now many more like him across the UK could be missing out on potentially substantial pension payments. The Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) has revealed that over 10,000 former retained firefighters may be eligible for pension payments, ranging from thousands to over £100,000, following recent legal rulings. These payments have become available due to changes in legislation, giving eligible individuals the opportunity to receive compensation for their service.
Retained firefighters, who are typically based in rural areas and respond to emergencies alongside their regular jobs, previously did not receive pensions. However, recent legal rulings have paved the way for these individuals to claim pensions for their years of service. Those who served as retained firefighters between April 2000 and April 2006 are potentially eligible for pension payments covering not just those six years, but their entire careers. While they must “buy back” the pension contributions they would have made, this expense can be offset against any final payment they receive.
Peter Duncombe, one of the eligible firefighters, is set to receive a lump sum payment of around £10,000 along with monthly payments of approximately £180. This additional pension income is seen as a welcome boost to households, particularly during times of rising costs of living. Many others have already stepped forward to claim their entitlements, with estimates suggesting that around 16,000 individuals have made successful claims. However, the FRSA believes that at least 10,000 more former retained firefighters could still be eligible for pension payments if they come forward to make a claim.
Various governing bodies, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Local Government Association, are emphasizing the importance of firefighters receiving the pensions they have earned. Fire and Rescue Authorities are working diligently to ensure that eligible individuals do not miss out on this opportunity to claim their rightful pension entitlements. The National Fire Chiefs Council has underscored the crucial role that on-call firefighters play in emergency response in the UK and encourages those who believe they may be eligible for pension payments to contact their pensions administrator promptly
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