Pension increases
In this section
To help your pension keep pace with the cost of living it is increased each April in line with the consumer price index (CPI). This page explains who is entitled to the increase, what happens at state pension age and how deferred pensions are treated.
How the pension increase works
Reviewed in April
Pensions in payment and deferred pensions are increased each April.
The amount of the increase is based on the consumer price index (CPI) rate in the previous September.
Pensions in payment
When increases are applied
If you are already receiving your pension from the firefighters’ pension scheme, you will normally receive the annual increase if you meet any of the following:
- You are aged 55 or over at the date of the increase.
- You retired on ill‑health grounds.
- You receive a spouse, partner or child pension.
- You are not receiving a fixed‑rate gratuity only.
The increase is applied on the first Monday on or after 6 April each year. This means your pension is only partially increased in April, with the full increase being paid from May. If you retire during the year you will also receive only a partial increase in that first year.
Your administrator will write to you once a year to let you know the value of your pension increase.