HM Treasury

Taxation, work and welfare

Public Service Pensions: timetable

16 October 2012	The Ministry of Defence publishes the Final Scheme Agreement for the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme (MOD website, opens in new browser window) to brief Service personnel.
4 September 2012	The Home Office publishes the Reform Design Framework (Home Office website, opens in new browser window), following discussions between Government and partners in the Police Negotiating Board on the design of the reformed Police Pension Scheme.
31 July 2012	Following earlier consultation, the Ministry of Defence publishes an Outline Scheme Design (MOD website, opens in new browser window) for the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme. Service personnel and interested external stakeholders are invited to comment on the design by 7 September, ahead of final agreement on the new scheme.
16 July 2012	The Government lays down a Written Ministerial Statement (Parliament website, opens in new browser window) on the reform of Non-departmental Public Body pension schemes.
4 July 2012	The Government lays down a Written Ministerial Statement announcing that it intends to take forward legislation on the basis of the Proposed Final Agreements, as announced in the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012.
24 May 2012	Design of the new Firefighters' Pension Scheme is announced (DCLG website, opens in new browser window).
31 March 2012	The final scheme design for the Local Government scheme is announced.
9 March 2012	The remaining details of the NHS, Teachers’ and Principal Civil Service pension schemes are finalised and Proposed Final Agreements setting out the final scheme designs published. Press notice 09/03/12: Discussions concluded on public service pensions details The majority of unions agree to take the Proposed Final Agreements to their Executives and consult with their members as the best deal that could be achieved through negotiations.
20 December 2011	The Government announces the main elements of the new designs for the largest four schemes. Statement by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP on Public Service Pensions: 20/12/11
2 November 2011	The Government sets out its preferred scheme design in the paper 'Public Service Pensions: Good Pensions that Last' This includes an offer to increase the cost ceiling so that future schemes could be based on a pension to the value of 1/60th of average salary and provide transitional arrangements for those close to retirement. An increase of 8% on the previous offer. Trades unions are invited to suggest changes to the preferred design to ensure the new schemes best meet the needs of their different workforces. Discussions continue with trades unions to finalise key elements of the new scheme designs for the four largest schemes and the firefighters’ scheme. Statement by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP on Public Service Pensions: 02/11/11
Early October 2011	The Government set cost ceilings based on an accrual rate of 1/65ths to ensure that for most low and middle earners, the new schemes would generate an income at retirement at least as good as they already receive.
10 March 2011	The Commission publishes its Final Report setting out recommendations for reform. The Government takes forward the Commission’s recommendations as the basis for discussion with trades unions and scheme representatives.
7 October 2010	The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission publishes its Interim Report setting out recommendations for reform.
June 2010	The Chancellor announces in the Budget that an independent commission will undertake a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision and consider the case for short-term savings in the Spending Review period.

Judges are being consulted on proposals for the future of their scheme and an announcement is expected in the autumn.

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Public Service Pensions