Police Pension
Hub
Independent, plain-English guidance on UK Police Pension Schemes.
Independent financial explanation of Police Pension Regulations. Not regulated financial advice. Not affiliated with any police force, Home Office, or pension administrator.
What Is the Police Pension Scheme?
The Police Pension Scheme is a series of statutory, defined-benefit pension arrangements designed to provide retirement income for UK police officers.
Unlike private defined-contribution schemes where your pot depends on investment performance, the police pension offers a guaranteed, inflation-linked income for life based on your length of service and salary level.
Navigating the police pension scheme can be complex due to the transition between legacy and reformed arrangements. Most serving officers are now members of the police pension 2015 (CARE scheme), though many retain significant rights in the police pension 1987 or police pension 2006 schemes.
One of the most frequent questions is can police retire at 55? In the 2015 scheme, the normal police pension age is 60, but retirement from 55 is possible with an actuarial reduction. Legacy schemes offered even earlier departures, often after 30 years of service.
The introduction of the McCloud Remedy has added another layer of choice, allowing eligible officers to decide which scheme benefits they prefer for the period between 2015 and 2022. This decision can significantly impact your total retirement value.
While police pension contributions are among the highest in the public sector, the employer contribution and the long-term guarantees make it a pillar of financial security. Our police pension calculator tools and guides are designed to help you decode these regulations and plan your exit from the service with confidence.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Pathways based on your current career stage or concerns.
Scheme Comparison Table
At-a-glance framework differences.
| Scheme | Type | Normal Pension Age | Accrual Rate | Lump Sum Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Scheme | Final Salary | Age 50/55 or 30 Years Service | 1/60th (Double accrual after 20 yrs) | Commutation factors apply; up to 1/4 pension |
| 2006 Scheme | Final Salary | Age 55 | 1/70th (Linear accrual) | Automatic; 4x annual pension value |
| 2015 CARE | Career Average (CARE) | Age 60 | 1/55.3 (Linked to CPI) | Optional; £1 annual for £12 lump sum |
Note: Most officers are now transitioning into the 2015 scheme while retaining legacy rights.
Police Pension
Contributions Explained
The police pension is a high-contribution, high-value arrangement. Members pay a percentage of their pensionable pay into the scheme, which is determined by their salary tier.
Effective Cost vs Gross Cost
Because contributions are taken before tax, members receive full tax relief at their highest marginal rate. A 12.44% contribution actually costs a 20% taxpayer significantly less in take-home pay.
- Up to £27,000 12.44%
- £27,001 – £60,000 13.44%
- Over £60,000 15.05%
Note: Employer contributions typically exceed 30%.
Can You Lose
Your Pension?
The "forfeiture" of a police pension is a rare and highly regulated legal process.
Accrued pension rights are considered property. Under Police Pensions Regulations, you cannot lose your pension simply for being dismissed for gross misconduct alone.
Forfeiture generally requires a criminal conviction for an offence committed in connection with your service as a member of a police force.
Qualifying Offences for Forfeiture:
Police Pension vs Private Pension
Defined Benefit (DB) vs Defined Contribution (DC).
The Police (DB) Advantage:
- Guaranteed for life
- Government-backed (Inflation linked)
- No investment risk for the officer
- Significant employer contribution (30%+)
- Automatic death-in-service benefits
Private (DC) Reality:
- Value depends on stock market performance
- Finite pot of money that can run dry
- Risk sits entirely with the individual
- Employer contributions usually 3% – 8%
- Inflation protection requires buying an annuity
Police vs NHS Pension
Both are high-quality public sector CARE schemes, but with key structural differences in retirement age and accrual.
Key Distinction:
The NHS scheme is typically tied to State Pension Age (SPA) for the full benefit, whereas the Police scheme recognizes the physical demands of frontline service with a Normal Pension Age of 60.
Leaving
Before Retirement?
If you leave the police service before you are eligible to draw your pension, your benefits don't vanish. They enter a state of suspension known as deferment.
Your Options on Leaving:
Leave it in the scheme to be paid at retirement.
Move the value to another DB scheme or a private pot.
Receive your contributions back (less tax and NI).
Pension Value Snapshot
Based on 15 years of service in the 2015 scheme, your projected pension represents a Low level of base salary replacement.
Disclaimer: This is a lightweight engagement tool for illustrative snapshot purposes. Does not account for McCloud remedy choice, tax impact, or inflation. Not financial advice.
Essential Guides
Calculate My Police Pension
Comprehensive multi-scheme calculator for 1987, 2006, and 2015 schemes. Includes McCloud remedy modeling, commutation projections, and lump sum estimates.
Is the Police Pension Scheme Worth It?
A plain-English, data-driven analysis of whether the UK Police Pension Scheme represents good long-term value.
Police Pension Schemes Explained
A complete breakdown of the 1987, 2006, and 2015 schemes — how they differ and what it means for you.
The McCloud Remedy Explained
What changed, who is affected, and what it means for your retirement timeline and contributions.
Should I Opt Out of the Pension?
A balanced look at the structural consequences, what you lose, and the long-term cost of leaving the scheme.
Injury on Duty Awards
Regulation B awards explained: Disablement bands, earning capacity, and how they differ from ill-health retirement.
Can I Retire at 55?
Minimum pension age, actuarial reductions, and how early retirement works across the 1987, 2006, and 2015 schemes.
Police Pension Commutation Explained
Lump sum rules, tax-free limits, and long-term income trade-offs for UK officers.
Ill-Health Retirement in the Police
Eligibility, tiers, medical assessment and pension impact during retirement for health reasons.
Transferring Into or Out of the Pension
Previous service, armed forces transfers, and private sector pension transfers explained.
Pension After Dismissal
What happens if you are dismissed? Gross misconduct, criminal convictions, and the rules of forfeiture explained.
Police Injury Pension 2026
Definitive 2026 guide to Injury Pensions. Eligibility, disablement bands, earning capacity, and appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I retire with a full police pension?
Retirement age depends on your scheme (1987, 2006, or 2015) and length of service. For most officers in the 2015 CARE scheme, the normal pension age is 60, though you can retire from 55 with actuarial reductions.
What is the McCloud Remedy?
The McCloud Remedy addresses age discrimination in the 2015 pension reforms. It allows affected officers to choose between their legacy (1987/2006) and reformed (2015) scheme benefits for the 'remedy period' (2015–2022).
How is police pension commutation calculated?
Commutation allows you to exchange part of your annual pension for a tax-free lump sum. The rate (factors) used varies by scheme and age at retirement. It is subject to HMRC tax-free limits.
Is the police pension final salary?
The 1987 and 2006 schemes are 'final salary' schemes, meaning benefits are based on your pay at the time of retirement. The 2015 scheme is a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme, which calculates benefits based on your average earnings throughout your career, adjusted for inflation.
Can I retire at 55 in the 2015 scheme?
Yes, officers in the 2015 scheme can retire as early as age 55, but their pension will be subject to an 'actuarial reduction' because it is being paid earlier than the normal pension age of 60.
How much do police pay into their pension?
Police pension contributions are tiered based on your salary. For most 2015 scheme members, the contribution rate is between 12.44% and 15.05%. These contributions benefit from full tax relief, reducing the effective cost to the officer.
Is the police pension index linked?
Yes. Once in payment, police pensions are increased annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure they maintain their purchasing power against inflation.
What is the accrual rate?
The accrual rate is the rate at which you build up your pension. In the 2015 scheme, the accrual rate is 1/55.3 of your pensionable earnings each year. Legacy schemes used different rates, such as 1/60th or 1/70th.
Can misconduct remove my pension?
Accrued pension rights are generally protected. Forfeiture can only occur in extreme cases, typically involving a criminal conviction for an offence connected to your police service that is judged injurious to the public interest.
Can I opt back in if I opted out?
Yes, you can generally opt back into the police pension scheme at any time. However, you will not be able to 'buy back' the missed service for the period you were opted out, which can significantly impact your final benefit.
Is the police pension worth it?
For most officers, the police pension remains one of the most valuable benefits of the job. It is a 'defined benefit' scheme guaranteed by the government, offering protections and inflation-linking that are extremely difficult to replicate in private savings.
What happens if I transfer forces?
If you transfer from one UK territorial police force to another without a break in service, your pension service and rights transfer with you seamlessly, as all forces use the same national regulations.
What is the normal pension age?
In the 2015 scheme, the normal pension age (NPA) is 60. In the legacy 1987 scheme, it was often based on 30 years' service or age 50/55 depending on rank.
How much is the employer contribution?
The government (employer) contribution to the police pension is significant, typically exceeding 30% of pensionable pay. This is much higher than the standard private sector employer contribution.
Does my pension include survivor benefits?
Yes, all police pension schemes include provisions for survivor pensions for spouses, civil partners, and eligible children in the event of an officer's death.
Latest Updates
Pay Reform & Pension
Analysis of how projected 2026 pay increases will impact pensionable pay and final accrual estimates.
McCloud remedy Choice
Remedy members receiving choice notifications. Decision windows remain open for legacy vs reformed preference.
Scheme Amendments
Factual update on latest minor regulatory amendments to the 2015 CARE scheme. No structural changes.