Pension reform

[david51058]

Can someone please explain why firemen, police and some NHS staff are currently allowed to retire at 55 on full pension? It is absolutely disgusting, there is no need for it. I resent paying my taxes to fund such over generous terms. It's about time it was stopped. Let them strike if they want, they won't get any sympathy from the vast majority of private sector workers who could only dream of being able to retire at that age, never mind with a full final salary pension.

[New Judge]

They are allowed to because those were the conditions of their employment when they joined the service.

[ummmm]

I'd also say that the nature of the job has alot to do with it..

[squarebear]

Not much use in having a 65 year old fireman. The people in the fire would be carrying HIM out!

[david51058]

There are plenty of jobs they could do within the police and fire service as they get older that don't involve extreme physical activity, so that's no excuse. I also wish people would stop pointing out that they pay their taxes, inferring that they have therefore paid for it. Paying taxes when working in the public sector is not extra money paid in, it's recycled money. They get paid out of taxes, then they give some of it back in tax. It's the same money.

[squarebear]

Not a job I would fancy, good luck to them.

[Paul22118]

It probably has something to do with police officers paying 12% of every pound they earn in pensions contributions. Most people, if paying a pension, pay around 5%. And I agree who wants a 65 year old in the High Street on a Saturday night.
If they were given desk jobs because of age do you cut their wages?
Squarebear, you are right they earn every penny. Remember the guy shot in the face by Moat!

[joko]

i get the danger issue in police and fire that the early retirement sort of compensates for but not with nhs staff...that is just a job...and whilst there is some danger, its no more than many other jobs...

[pretty_snowdrop]

At the age of 55, fire fighters could do fire prevention duties and policeman could do a lot the the paperwork duties. However that is probably 'ageist'.

[McMouse]

I don't understand why the 'fat git' who drives the fire appliance gets the same pay and pension as the heroes who go into burning buildings and save lives.

[gingejbee]

Some people haven't heard of "conditions of service" or "contract of employment", apparently.

[whiskeryron]

some of you guys do have an issue with this,I wouldn't do the jobs if they paid twice as much & retired at 30 try doing the jobs ( if you could even pass the intelligence tests) or shut up & get a life.

[237SJ]

My T&Cs when I joined my company stated that I would retire and get my pension at 55. I now have to go to 60 to get what I would have got at 55. If I want to leave at 55 I have to chuck in a few hundred extra pounds every month. That`s the way of the world for people in the private sector so it`s no surprise if that sort of thing may happen in the public sector now.

[joko]

i dont think anyone is talking about the fact that these things are in their terms and conditions - thats a given, no one is disputing this or denying it - its the reason WHY they are in their terms and conditions that this question is about

as stated police and fire deserve it i think...just no sure about the nhs staff

i also wonder who realistically woudl choose a career based on the age they could give it up!

[evil__sheep]

athlete?

[boxtops]

If you are a registered nurse, you can retire at 55, I believe that mental health nurses can still retire at 55. It doesn't mean they get their State pensions any earlier, they still have to wait until they are eligible, so they have these days about 10 years when they have to live off their NHS pensions. It's not all beer and skittles.

[boxtops]

...and joko, the rest of us in the NHS who are not nurses have to stay until we are 60 before we can retire with the pension.

[deestrath]

Firefighters pay 11% of every pound they earn for their pension currently £240 per month.I have duly paid this for 28 years and take home £736 per fortnight. It was compulsory to join the scheme when I joined the service . No-one int he public sector pays near as much except for police officers. Do you really want 60 year old firefighters and police officers in this country? There are not enough posts available to come off firefighting duties. And as for the stupid comment about drivers - drivers rotate and sit in the back as well the driving is in addition to being a firefighter and know extra payment is received.