newsflash

New Emergency Lounge Calculator

IODPA Admin newsflash
New Emergency Lounge Calculator

Many of our members, have over a period of time, used the free pension calculator on the Emergency Lounge site, which can be found here – http://emergencylounge.com/police/pension_calculator/

The site has been a long supporter of IODPA, and we have been working together to bring their calculator up to date which originally only catered for calculations under The Police Pension Regulations 1987. It now caters for calculations across multiple schemes including part-time working and is undoubtedly the best calculator available.

With the Home Office indicating that those who were forced onto the 2015 pension scheme, will be given the option to switch back to their original scheme, it is important that members understand the financial implications of doing so. We’ve had no indication that pension departments will provide these calculations for you in a timely manner.

It is important to note, as stated on the Emergency Lounge site, that the calculations are for illustration purposes only, and that official figures should be obtained before making any financial decisions, but they will provide you with an accurate prediction.

We’ve been beta testing this new calculator for the site, but if you find any problems with it, please let us know, or the site directly.

The Home Office Release a Consultation Paper Over the Unlawful Application Of The Police Pension Regulations 2015

IODPA Admin Home Office, newsflash
The Home Office Release a Consultation Paper Over the Unlawful Application Of The Police Pension Regulations 2015

The Home Office have released a consultation document providing remedies and a way forward over the age-discrimination issues that came out of the forced imposition of the Police Pension Regulations 2015.

In summary, it appears as though the HO is proposing that all legacy schemes for affected public sector workers will come to an end on 1st April 2022. Those already affected (transferred) will have the option to transfer back until this new date.

You can find a copy of the paper here –

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/900766/Public_Service_Pensions_Consultation.pdf

Or read it below,

 

It seems that the proposals will not be without issue as contribution rates are different, some officers will have already retired under the new scheme with multiple pension pots, and there could be further appeals regarding ill-health retirement.

David Lock QC from Landmark Chambers has produced a blog on the issue, which can be found here,

Government publishes consultation document on resolving £17billion problem of age-discrimination in public sector pensions

 

 

 

Daily Mail Reports On The Staffordshire Police Judicial Reviews

IODPA Admin newsflash
Daily Mail Reports On The Staffordshire Police Judicial Reviews

The Daily has today run an article about the Staffordshire Police judicial reviews which is due to be heard at Birmingham Administrative Court today and Thursday.

It summarises the situation regarding injury reviews very well, highlighting the unjust process and how forces are conducting reviews for no other reason than to save money.

We wish the pensioners affected by this court hearing only one thing – justice!

Here  is a link to the article –

David Lock QC and Samantha Broadfoot QC of Landmark Chambers publish police pension podcasts

IODPA Admin newsflash
Landmark Chambers

The UK’s leading authority in police pensions, David Lock QC, is releasing a number of podcasts, providing an in depth discussion of all the current police pension schemes including The Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 and how they should be administered.

Mr Lock has produced these extremely informative podcasts with accompanying documentation, alongside his colleague and fellow QC, Samantha Broadfoot, both of Landmark Chambers in London.

Our very grateful thanks goes to Landmark Chambers for producing this these useful guides which can be accessed by police, legal representatives and officers alike.

Please click on the link below which will go directly to the Landmark Chambers website where the podcasts can be found.

https://www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/resources/guide-to-the-law-on-police-pensions/

Guide to the law on police pensions

David Lock QC – Confusing Cases And Bad Law

IODPA Admin newsflash
David Lock QC – Confusing Cases And Bad Law

David Lock QC gives an interesting insight into a number of conflicting cases and how recent case law has been shaped.

The conflict is between Laws/Evans on one hand and Doubtfire/Boskovic on the other. Hopefully we will have a defining correction at some stage in the future.

You may read his article here,

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/confusing-cases-bad-law-meaning-effect-decisions-made-david-lock-qc/

Alternately, you may read a copy here.

David Lock QC provides an update to the flawed police pension regulations 2015

IODPA Admin newsflash
David Lock QC provides an update to the flawed police pension regulations 2015

David Lock QC has released a new paper over the financial disaster that was imposed on some police officers by the forced implementation of the Police Pension Regulations 2015.

The Government have indicated that they will remedy the unsatisfactory situation, but it is not yet known how they are planning to resolve the issue, or when.

This is going to be a complex matter to unpick because retrospective changes to ill-health pensions will have a knock on effect to the calculated value of injury pensions as well.

You may read his article here,

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pension-rights-police-officers-who-suffer-losses-result-david-lock-qc/

Alternately, you may read a copy here.

Government Capitulate Over Psychiatric Injury Award

IODPA Admin newsflash, regulation 12
Government Capitulate Over Psychiatric Injury Award

The Government have capitulated over the granting of psychiatric injury awards when faced with a looming court challenge.

Regulation 12 of The Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 allows for an additional ‘Disablement gratuity’ to injured officers where it could be shown that within 12 months of so receiving their injury, they become or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of that injury.

It was successfully argued that the regulations discriminated against officers with mental health conditions such as PTSD, as often the full extent of these types of injuries are not fully recognised until after the 12 month time limit. This will provide parity for officers with mental health injuries compared to those with physical injuries.

The Government have also agreed to review this part of the regulations.

Congratulations to Ron Thompson of Haven Solicitors, David Lock QC and Leon Glenister of Landmark Chambers for bringing this successful case.

Here is the press release –

 

 

Possible Pension Miscalculations in PSNI – Update

IODPA Admin newsflash, PSNI
PSNI

PSNI

On 2nd October 2019, we published a news item regarding concerns over substantial underpayments of ill-health pensions by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (‘PSNI’).

You can read the original article here – https://iodpa.org/2019/10/02/possible-pension-miscalculations-in-psni/

In summary, a number of officers who had joined under the Police Pension Scheme 1988 (‘PPS 1988’), and retired under the Police Pension Scheme 2015 (‘PPS 2015’) thought that their pensions appeared on the low side.

After making contact with us, we recalculated their pensions, which PSNI subsequently confirmed were closer to their true value. We understand that two officers alone had back payments in the region of £80,000 between them.

Disappointingly, last week, we were contacted by another former officer over the same issue. We calculated that they too had been under paid and were due a back payment of approximately £20,000. PSNI confirmed our findings and agreed to put matters right in their May 2020 pension payment.

These are not small sums of money and as this matter was first brought to the attention of the PSNI over five months ago, we are truly shocked that they don’t appear to have either identified those pensioners that may have been affected or written to those former officers to inform them that they may have had their pensions miscalculated.

We have written to the Finance and Support Services Department of the PSNI asking them to expedite this matter.

 

 

 

Chief Constable Gareth Morgan Weeps

IODPA Admin Chief Constable, newsflash
Chief Constable Gareth Morgan Weeps

Gareth Morgan commented on the decisions he’s made:  “I’m fairly unapologetic about it”

Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, has taken part in a new BBC documentary, “Cops like us”, following police officers in Staffordshire. He was reduced to tears when talking about some of the decisions that he’s had to make, but concluded by saying “So, it may well be surprising. I’m fairly unapologetic about it.”

The program shows the scale of challenges that the officers face on a daily basis and are a constant reminder that some officers can become seriously injured through no fault of their own.

PC Keri Inskip said, “While violence has always been prevalent in the areas I’ve worked in and I’ve always been in city centre policing where there has been high levels of violence, it’s more dangerous now than I’ve ever known.”

Last year Gareth Morgan reduced the pensions of seventeen former officers injured on duty. A judicial review is expected later this year over that decision.

Cops Like Us aired at 9pm on BBC Two and is available on BBC iPlayer.

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/bbc-cops-like-us-staffordshire-3960394

https://inews.co.uk/culture/cops-like-us-police-stoke-austerity-cuts-2461984