Title and commencement

1.—(1) The title of this Order is The Firefighters' Pension (Wales) Scheme (Contributions) (Amendment) Order 2012.

(2) This Order comes into force on 1 April 2012.

Amendment of the Firemen’s Pension Scheme Order 1992

2.  Schedule 2 to the Firemen’s Pension Scheme Order 1992(3) (in which the Firefighters' Pension (Wales) Scheme is set out), as it has effect in Wales, is amended in accordance with articles 3 and 4 of this Order.

3.  In rule G2 (pension contributions)—

(a)in paragraph (1), for “specified in paragraph (1A)” substitute “specified in the Table in paragraph 3 of Part A1 of Schedule 8;” and

(b)omit paragraph (1A).

4.  In Schedule 8 for

“PURCHASE OF INCREASED BENEFITS”

substitute

“PENSION CONTRIBUTION AND PURCHASE OF INCREASED BENEFITS

Rule G2

PART A1PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS

1.—(1) In the case of a whole-time regular firefighter the pension contribution mentioned in rule G2(1) is the percentage of the firefighter’s pensionable pay ascertained from the Table in paragraph 3 by reference to the amount of the firefighter’s pensionable pay in the first column of that Table.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)where there has been a permanent material change to the terms and conditions of a regular firefighter’s employment which affects the firefighter’s pensionable pay, from the date of that change the firefighter’s pensionable pay in the first and second columns must be calculated by reference to the revised amount.

(b)pensionable pay in the first column of the Table in paragraph 3 does not include payments made to a regular firefighter by the fire and rescue authority in respect of his continual professional development, but those payments will be included in the firefighter’s pensionable pay for the purposes of the application of the rate ascertained from that Table.

2.—(1) In the case of a part-time regular firefighter, the pension contribution mentioned in rule G2(1) is the percentage of the firefighter’s pensionable pay ascertained from the Table in paragraph 3 by reference to the amount of pensionable pay which the firefighter would have received had the firefighter been a whole-time regular firefighter.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)where there has been a permanent material change to the terms and conditions of a part-time regular firefighter’s employment which affects the firefighter’s pensionable pay, from the date of that change the firefighter’s pensionable pay in the first and second columns must be calculated by reference to the revised amount; and

(b)pensionable pay in the first column of the Table in paragraph 3 does not include payments made to a part-time regular firefighter by the fire and rescue authority in respect of the firefighter’s continual professional development, but those payments will be included in the firefighter’s pensionable pay for the purposes of the application of the rate ascertained from that Table.

3.  The following Table is that referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Firefighters' Pension (Wales) Scheme (set out in Schedule 2 to the Firemen’s Pension Scheme Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/129)) (“the 1992 Scheme”) as it has effect in Wales, with effect from 1 April 2012.

The amendment provides for different rates for pension contributions payable by members of the 1992 Scheme which increase according to the amount of pensionable pay which the member receives. The contribution rates are specified in paragraph 3 of the Table in Part A1 of Schedule 8 to the Scheme (as inserted by this Order).

The Welsh Ministers' Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Fire and Armed Forces Branch, Welsh Government, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ or by calling 01685 729227.