Update from DPF on current position in relation to Pension Age
Members are advised that the Department submitted its report to Parliament on Monday 16 December. As you know, this report came about because DPF (and our colleagues in DFRS) submitted an amendment to the Public Service Pensions Act after we were informed that MDP (and DFRS) would not be classed as uniformed services and would therefore not automatically attract a lower Normal Pension Age (NPA) because we were part of the Principle Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) and our NPA would be equivalent to that of State Pension Age (SPA) as a consequence.
Unfortunately, the report does not cover the matters it was intended to report on thus we have submitted a response to the effect that we do not agree with its content or conclusions. The amendment was debated in parliament on 24 April 2013 and the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury gave assurances that the report would be exhaustive and cover different aspects of pay and conditions of service including that of Net Pay Deduction (NPD). Alas, it does not address any of these matters but we have secured assurances from the department that they will consult with us (DPF) in the New Year.
We have yet to draft Terms of Reference for this review or set a firm date for our meeting with the Minister but you can rest assured that we will strive to ensure this is done at the earliest opportunity and will address the issues originally intended. Much is yet to be done and we will continue to update members as and when required and in the usual manner.
Please find the hyperlink above to both the report and our subsequent response.
John Regan
General Secretary
