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.

[deestrath]

sound's like david51058 is someone who tried to get in the fire service but failed . should have stuck in at school!!!!

[wolf63]

deestrath - you give your pay as a fortnightly amount, are you paid in a fortnightly cycle?

I was given early retirement on health grounds from the civil service at the age of 40 in 2003. My pension and lump sum were calculated on a final pay calculation. I put up with a stressful job dealing with a pretty poor wage because I knew that the pension benefits of the civil service were good.

[deestrath]

To Wolf63 I am paid every second Thursday

[Jobo2]

I have worked in the NHS since I was 18 & have contributed to the pension scheme for 25yrs. There are many different types of nurses - I work with in an NHS hospital treating people with learning disabilities. We are faced with high levels of violence and similar (zero tolerance does not exist in our services!)- as with the fire fighters and police - I do not think at 65 yrs of age I will be fit enough to be rolling about the floor restraining people. I have paid a significant sum over the years and the terms and conditions of my NHS Pension contract should be honoured as should any other contract that I have agreed to.

[QuaereVerum]

I am a retired Police officer, I paid a lot of money towards my pension, that incidently has seen no rise in the past four years and when it does will be linked to the lower CPI rate. There is plenty of medical evidence to show the physical damage and mental stress that more than 20 years of shift work does to a person, that no doubt added to my heart condition. It was not unusual to work 12 to 16hrs shifts often without a break of any kind. Not so long ago the average pension duration was only 3 years before death. I would certainly discourage my children from joining now. There are a lot more easier ways to earn more money.

[ChelseaCop]

How Much do you pay into your private sector pension... I bet it isn't 12.5% like I do? How many times have you been stabbed whilst at work? Punched in the face? Spat at? Are you often forced to work overtime, much of it "for the queen" therefore unpaid? Are your days off cancelled at short notice regardless of your plans? Do you have whole periods of time "locked down" meaning you cannot take time off during that period? Do you have to see horrendous things day in day out? 35 years of this is long enough for anyone, and we pay for it! We don't get anything for free...