This is an estimate only — not official pension advice. Contact your force pension administrator or visit gov.uk/guidance/police-pensions for official projections.
Police Pension Estimator
2015 CARE Scheme · 1 April 2026 contribution rates
What Is the Police Pension Scheme 2015?
The Police Pension Scheme 2015 (PPS 2015) is a statutory defined benefit pension scheme for police officers in England and Wales. It replaced the legacy PPS 1987 and NPPS 2006 schemes, moving from a final salary model to a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) structure — though all legacy benefits built up under earlier schemes are fully protected.
Membership is compulsory for police officers — unlike other public sector schemes, there is no opt-out option for operational officers. This means every officer automatically accrues pension benefits from the first day of service. The scheme is backed by the government and provides a guaranteed income for life indexed to inflation.
How the 2015 CARE Scheme Works
Each year, 1/55.3 of your pensionable pay is added to your pension pot as an annual "slice." If you earn £46,000 in a year, you add £46,000 ÷ 55.3 = £832 of pension for that year. These slices are revalued every April by CPI + 1.25% while you remain an active member — preserving their real value.
At retirement, all your revalued slices are added together to produce your final annual pension. Officers can also commute up to 35.7% of their pension into a tax-free lump sum at the rate of £12 per £1 of pension given up. Unlike the old 1987 scheme, commuted amounts carry no income tax liability.
Police Pension Contribution Rates — 1 April 2026
New contribution rates came into force on 1 April 2026 under a Home Office statutory instrument. The revised structure updates thresholds that had not changed since 2015, delivering an average member yield of 13.7% as required under HM Treasury cost-sharing rules. Around 80% of officers see a small increase; approximately 20% see a slight reduction.
| Tier | Annual Pensionable Pay (2026/27) | Full Rate | Reduced Rate (50/50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | £37,035 or less | 12.88% | 10.38% |
| Tier 2 | £37,036 – £79,587 | 13.88% | 11.38% |
| Tier 3 | £79,588 and above | 14.22% | 11.72% |
🛡️ Employer contribution value: The employer (the police force) contributes approximately 31% of pensionable pay — meaning for a Constable earning £46,000, the employer contributes around £14,300 per year toward your pension. This hidden benefit makes the PPS 2015 one of the most valuable total reward packages in UK public service.
Key Benefits and Features
Normal Pension Age (NPA) — Age 60
Under the 2015 scheme, the Normal Pension Age is 60 — significantly earlier than most other public sector schemes which are linked to State Pension age. Officers can take their full unreduced pension at 60, regardless of when they joined. There is also no maximum service cap, unlike the 1987 scheme which capped benefits at 30 years.
Early Retirement from Age 55
Officers can choose to retire and draw their pension from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). Benefits taken before NPA (age 60) are subject to an actuarial reduction — approximately 4–5% per year early. A five-year early retirement at age 55 would reduce the pension by around 20–25%. Officers with ill health or medical retirement may be exempt from reduction.
Commutation — Tax-Free Lump Sum
One of the most attractive features of the 2015 scheme is tax-free commutation. Officers can exchange up to 35.7% of their pension for a lump sum, at the rate of £12 for every £1 of annual pension surrendered. Importantly, there is no tax liability on any amount commuted under the 2015 scheme — a major advantage over some other schemes.
Ill Health Retirement
If you are permanently unable to perform police duties due to injury or illness, you can apply for ill health retirement. Under the 2015 scheme, Tier 1 provides your accrued pension immediately with no early retirement reduction. Tier 2 provides an enhanced pension with additional service added, based on the severity and permanence of the condition.
Injury Awards (Separate Benefit)
In addition to the pension scheme, officers injured on duty may qualify for an Injury Award — a separate, index-linked benefit payable for life. The Injury Award is assessed independently of the pension and provides additional income if the injury materially reduces earning capacity. It is not affected by commutation decisions.
Death in Service
If an officer dies while in service, dependants receive a death gratuity and survivors' pension. Under the 2015 scheme the death gratuity is two times pensionable pay. A surviving spouse, civil partner, or nominated beneficiary also receives a dependant's pension, and qualifying children receive a children's pension until they leave full-time education.
The McCloud Remedy and What It Means for Officers
Following the Supreme Court's McCloud ruling, the government was required to address age discrimination in the 2015 pension transition. Officers who were in service on 31 March 2012 and on 1 April 2015 may have protected legacy membership under the 2015 transitional arrangements. The remedy gives eligible officers a choice at retirement of which scheme rules to apply to the "remedy period" (1 April 2015 – 31 March 2022): their original 1987 or 2006 scheme rules, or the 2015 CARE rules — whichever produces the higher benefit. Your force pension administrator can provide a statement showing both options.
⚠️ McCloud Remedy Tip: If you have pre-2015 service, the McCloud remedy could significantly increase your retirement benefits for that remedy period. Always request a remedy illustration from your force pensions team before making retirement decisions — especially if you are close to retirement age.