Pension scheme opened to on-call firefighters

On-call firefighters whose service dates back to 2007 or after are eligible

Retired firefighters who were on-call in the last 15 years are being invited to join the Isle of Man's public sector pension scheme.

It follows a change in employment law to include retained staff in the Government Unified Pension Scheme, which was created in 2012.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has offered retrospective membership to those who would have been eligible, which was estimated to be over 100 people.

Members would need to make personal contributions, at a current rate of 13.5% of relevant earnings, with the government providing its own backdated contributions.

A spokeswoman for the DHA said that payment would likely be taken from an individual's additional pension or as a lump sum, but options would be discussed on an individual basis.

While changes were made to employment laws on the island in 2007, the department had reviewed its policy after a number of UK court cases provided "clarity" on the application of the part-time workers provision, she said.

However, there would not be a disadvantage to joining the scheme for those who were already in retirement, she added.

Those eligible include people who were on-call firefighters, or whole-time firefighters who retired as sub-officer, leading firefighter or firefighter, who served at any point since 30 September 2007.

Those who are interested and fit the criteria, have been told to contact the government or visit their local fire station on a training night to fill out a form.

Fire station training nights run from 18:30 to 21:30 BST on Mondays in Kirk Michael, Tuesdays in Laxey, Wednesdays in Peel and Ramsey, and Thursdays in Castletown, Malew and Rushen.