What are the three police pension schemes in England and Wales?

There are three main police pension schemes: PPS 1987 (Police Pension Scheme 1987) — the original final salary scheme, closed to new entrants in 2006. Officers in PPS 1987 accrue 1/60th of final pensionable pay per year, up to a maximum of 30 years (giving two-thirds of final pay). Normal pension age is 50. NPPS 2006 (New Police Pension Scheme 2006) — a revised final salary scheme, closed to new entrants from April 2015. Officers accrue 1/70th per year of final pensionable pay, with normal pension age 55. PPS 2015 — the current Career Average (CARE) scheme. Officers accrue 1/55.3th of career average pay per year, with normal pension age 60. All officers joined from 2015 onwards are in PPS 2015.

What is the McCloud/Sargeant remedy and how does it affect my pension?

The McCloud/Sargeant remedy (also called 'pension age equalisation' or the 'public service pension remedy') arose from a Court of Appeal judgment that transitional protection given to older police officers when PPS 2015 was introduced unlawfully discriminated on grounds of age. The remedy, implemented through the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022, gives all eligible officers (those in service on 31 March 2012 and still serving on 1 April 2015) a choice for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022): they can receive either their PPS 2015 benefits OR their legacy scheme (PPS 1987 or NPPS 2006) benefits for that period, whichever is higher. This choice is made at retirement, known as the 'deferred choice underpin'. Forces are in the process of recalculating affected pensions.

How does police pension commutation work?

Police pension commutation allows you to exchange part of your annual pension for a tax-free lump sum. The rate varies by scheme: PPS 1987: automatically receives a lump sum of 4× the annual pension (no exchange required — it is built in). You can commute up to 25% of pension value for additional cash. NPPS 2006: no automatic lump sum, but you can commute at 3:1 (£3 lump sum per £1 pension given up). PPS 2015: no automatic lump sum; commutation available at 3:1 up to HMRC limits. The HMRC limit is 25% of the capital value of your pension benefits, capped at the Lump Sum Allowance (£268,275 from April 2024).

What is the normal pension age for police officers?

Normal pension age varies by scheme: PPS 1987: age 50 (after 25 years' service) or age 55 (with 30 years' service). Maximum pension of 2/3rds (40/60ths) reached after 30 years. You can be required to retire after 30 years. NPPS 2006: age 55. Officers can take pension from 55 without employer consent after qualifying period. PPS 2015: age 60 for all members. However, under the McCloud remedy, affected officers may have rights under their legacy scheme's pension age rules for service in the remedy period. The minimum pension access age (55, rising to 57 in 2028) applies across all schemes.

What happens to my police pension if I am injured on duty?

Injury awards are a separate system to the main pension schemes and are administered by each police force under the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006. If you are permanently disabled as a result of an injury received in the execution of duty, you may be entitled to an Injury Pension. The amount depends on your degree of disablement (from 25% to 75%+ reduction in earning capacity) and your pensionable service. Injury pensions are index-linked and paid for life, in addition to any ill-health pension. Crucially, injury awards are not part of the main police pension scheme and are not affected by pension reforms. A Pension forfeiture board can reduce or forfeit pensions for serious criminal offences under the Forfeiture of Pension regulations.

Can I opt out of the police pension scheme?

Yes, you can opt out of PPS 2015 at any time. However, this is rarely financially beneficial. Employer contributions to police pensions are very high (around 31% of pensionable pay), and the scheme provides defined benefit security unavailable in any private pension. If you opt out, you should be auto-enrolled into an alternative workplace pension, but employer contributions there will be far lower. Before opting out, consider the death-in-service benefits (typically 3× pay), ill-health retirement protection, and the guaranteed index-linked income for life that you would lose. You can rejoin PPS 2015 at any time by opting back in.

Police Pension Calculator 2026 — PPS 1987, 2006 & 2015

Last updated: March 2026

Police Pension Calculator 2026

Select your police pension scheme and enter your service details to estimate your annual pension, commutation lump sum and monthly take-home income.

Police Pension Scheme

Years of Qualifying Service For PPS 1987: maximum 30 years gives 2/3rds pension. For NPPS 2006 & 2015: no cap.

Final / Career Average Pensionable Pay (£) PPS 1987/2006: use final pensionable pay. PPS 2015: use career average pensionable pay.

Retirement Age

Commutation — Lump Sum Preference

Police Pension Scheme Comparison

Feature	PPS 1987	NPPS 2006	PPS 2015
Scheme type	Final salary	Final salary	CARE
Accrual rate	1/60th per year	1/70th per year	1/55.3th per year
Maximum pension	2/3rds (30 years)	No cap	No cap
Normal Pension Age	50 (25 yrs) / 55	55	60
Automatic lump sum	4× pension	None	None
Commutation rate	—	3:1	3:1
Employee contributions	14.25%	9.5–12.75%	12.44–13.78%
Indexation (in payment)	CPI	CPI	CPI
Spouse's pension	50% of member's pension	50% of member's pension	37.5% of member's pension

Expert Reviewed — This calculator reflects the McCloud remedy transitional provisions and 2025/26 police pension regulations. Last verified: March 2026.

Pro Tips for Police Pension Estimates

Request a Pension Estimate from your force's pension administrator (usually Equiniti or XPS)
If you joined before 2015 and are affected by McCloud, you will have a deferred choice — your estimate will show both options
Pensionable pay for PPS 1987 is your highest earnings in the 3 years before retirement (or if higher, the 3-year average)
Use the Home Office police pay scales to verify your current pensionable pay grade

Understanding Your Police Pension Results

Annual pension — gross before tax; income tax applies above personal allowance
Automatic lump sum — PPS 1987 only: 4× annual pension, completely tax-free
Commutation lump sum — additional tax-free cash at 3:1 by giving up some pension
Monthly estimate — basic rate taxpayer estimate; higher earners pay more tax

Common Police Pension Questions

Am I affected by the McCloud remedy?

If you were in service on 31 March 2012 AND still serving on 1 April 2015, you are likely affected and have a deferred choice for the 2015–2022 remedy period.

Does pensionable pay include shift allowances?

It depends on the allowance type. In PPS 1987, pensionable pay typically includes consolidated pay and pensionable allowances but excludes non-pensionable allowances. Check your pay statement or ask your HR/pension administrator.

Worked Examples: Police Pension Calculations

PPS 1987: Sergeant, 30 Years Service, £45,000 Pensionable Pay, Age 55

Pension: 30 ÷ 60 × £45,000 = £22,500/year (maximum 2/3rds rate)
Automatic lump sum: 4 × £22,500 = £90,000 tax-free
Spouse's pension: 50% × £22,500 = £11,250/year
Monthly take-home (basic rate tax): approximately £1,656/month

PPS 2015: Constable, 20 Years Service, £38,000 Career Average Pay, Age 60

Pension: 20 ÷ 55.3 × £38,000 = £13,743/year
Commutation (25%): give up £3,436, receive £10,307 lump sum
Reduced pension: £10,307/year
Spouse's pension (37.5%): £5,153/year

Expert Guide: Police Pensions in Depth

The McCloud/Sargeant Remedy — What You Need to Know

In 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that transitional protection given to older officers when PPS 2015 was introduced unlawfully discriminated against younger officers on grounds of age. The Government was required to remedy this discrimination. The remedy (implemented by the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022) gives all eligible officers — those who were in service on 31 March 2012 and still serving on 1 April 2015 — a deferred choice at retirement: for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022), they can choose whichever scheme gives the better outcome. The deferred choice means you do not need to make a decision now; your pension administrator will calculate both options when you retire or leave service. Forces and the Police Pension Authorities are still implementing the remedy, so your pension estimate may change as recalculations are completed.

Injury Awards — Separate From Your Pension

Injury awards under the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 are entirely separate from the main pension schemes and are not affected by pension reforms. If you are permanently disabled as a result of an injury received in the execution of duty, you may be entitled to a gratuity and/or an ongoing Injury Pension. The Injury Pension is calculated based on your degree of disablement (assessed by a Selected Medical Practitioner) and your years of service. Bands range from 25% to 75%+ reduction in earning capacity, with corresponding percentages of pensionable pay paid as injury pension. Injury awards are index-linked and paid for life, in addition to any ill-health pension from the main scheme. They survive regardless of whether you subsequently find other employment.

Ill-Health Retirement — Two Tiers

All three police pension schemes provide ill-health retirement benefits for officers who become medically unfit. Under PPS 2015, there are two tiers: Tier 1 applies where you are permanently disabled from performing the ordinary duties of a member of the police force — you receive your accrued pension immediately, paid for life without early retirement reduction. Tier 2 applies where you are additionally permanently disabled from any substantially gainful employment — you receive a higher pension with an enhancement based on additional notional service. The enhancement in Tier 2 is effectively the same as credit for half the potential remaining service to normal pension age. Your force's Occupational Health Unit and a Selected Medical Practitioner assess which tier applies.

Death Benefits and Survivor Pensions

Police pension schemes provide valuable death benefits. If you die in service, a lump sum death grant of two or three times your pensionable pay is paid (depending on scheme). Your surviving spouse, civil partner or nominated cohabiting partner receives a survivor's pension: 50% of your pension under PPS 1987 and NPPS 2006, or 37.5% under PPS 2015. Children's pensions are payable to dependent children up to age 18 (or 23 if in full-time education). Under PPS 1987 and NPPS 2006, if you die with less than 2 years' service, a return of contributions is payable. Nominations should be kept up to date with your force HR — death benefits are often paid at the discretion of the pension authority. A deferred pensioner (an officer who has left service but not yet started drawing their pension) also retains entitlement to survivor's benefits, though at a reduced rate.

Employee Contribution Rates 2025/26

Police officers contribute a significant proportion of pay towards their pension. Under PPS 2015, contribution rates are banded: officers earning up to £27,000 contribute 12.44%; those earning £27,001–£60,000 contribute 13.44%; and those above £60,000 contribute 13.78%. These contributions are deducted before tax, giving full income tax relief. The employer (police authority/force) contributes approximately 31% of pensionable pay — one of the highest employer rates of any UK pension scheme, reflecting the generous defined benefits provided. Under PPS 1987, the rate is a flat 14.25% from the officer; this contributes to the historically high pension value (up to 2/3rds of final pay plus 4× lump sum after 30 years).

Sources & Methodology

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Actual benefits depend on exact service records, pay history and scheme rules. McCloud remedy calculations will be determined by your pension administrator at retirement. Always obtain a formal pension estimate from your force and consult a regulated financial adviser before making retirement decisions.

Police Pension Calculator