Contingent decisions
At a glance
When changes to the police pension scheme were introduced, some members made decisions about their pension based on how those changes affected them.
Now that the remedy has been applied, you may feel you would have made a different decision if the position had been clear at the time.
If this applies to you, there is a process in place to review and, in some cases, change that decision.
Explained
What is a contingent decision?
A contingent decision is where you made a choice about your pension that you might have made differently if the discrimination between 2015 and 2022 had not happened.
This may affect members who:
Actions to take
What to do if you are affected
If you think you may have made a different decision, you can make a claim to have the decision reversed.
There are specific timescales around when you can make a claim – generally this is within 12 months of receiving your first remediable service statement, however you should speak with your scheme manger to confirm the specific timescales that would apply to you.
Once you know you are eligible to make a claim, you will need to complete a contingent decision form which can be downloaded from this website and give it to your scheme manager.
Next steps
What happens once you have made a claim?
Once you have completed and submitted your contingent decision claim form, your scheme manager will keep you updated with further information. This includes providing a specific contingent decision remediable service statement which gives you more personalised information.
Once you have received this information, you will then have a limited period to decide if you will proceed or not. If you make an election for a contingent decision, this decision is final and cannot be changed. Any amounts owed as a result of the decision be paid either now or at retirement.
If you choose to reinstate opted out service you will have the option to pay by monthly payments over a period of 14 years or at retirement.
Additional information
Where to find out more
Members who opted out of the 1987 scheme either between:
- 12 March 2012 and 31 March 2015; or
- 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 but also rejoined before 1 April 2022
You can find out about the re-instatement of opted out service in the latest update 'contingent decisions: reinstatement of opted out service' document on this website.