| The job of a police officer is not an easy one. | | | | 35 years of service and the rate at which the |
| There are numerous stresses and pains that may | | | | final pension is accrued is 1/70th of the final salary |
| well take its toll after many years of service. It's | | | | for each year of service in the police force. |
| only fair, therefore, that a police officer is allowed | | | | Pensions can be paid to another person, even one |
| to enjoy his or her retirement. Police pensions and | | | | that is not a marriage or civil partner in some |
| retirement policy is thus in place. | | | | circumstances. |
| The first point to mention regarding the police | | | | Not all police officers might make it to retirement. |
| pensions and retirement policy is the age at which | | | | If this is the case then the officer would still be |
| it is compulsory to retire from the police force. | | | | able to receive a pension. It will still be based upon |
| For most officers, this is at the age of 60 | | | | the length of service but the pension could be |
| although for any officer of a rank higher than | | | | paid earlier. On a similar note, if an officer is |
| chief inspector this age is 65. The physical | | | | injured whilst completing their duties, and is not at |
| requirements of a police officer are very tough | | | | fault themselves, then they can receive a pension |
| and specific; as an officer ages, he or she may no | | | | and an injury payout upon leaving the force. |
| longer be able to perform their duties due to an | | | | Not even the police force can escape tax; pension |
| ageing body. Since their job is so very important, | | | | contributions can be made free of tax up to a |
| the officer would be required to retire. In some | | | | certain level. After this point, the contribution will |
| cases this age can be put back by the police | | | | be taxed. The benefits paid after retirement are |
| authority. | | | | also taxable. |
| The police pension scheme as it stands today | | | | The police pension and retirement policy is |
| came into force in 2006. The arrangements are | | | | generally considered to be very generous although |
| based upon the final salary of the police officer | | | | there is certainly a good level of work to be done |
| who has to contribute 9.5% of his or her salary | | | | before reaching it. The retirement age is |
| each month. Upon retirement, the pension will be | | | | appropriately low given the physical demands |
| a maximum of 50% of the final salary each year. | | | | placed upon a police officer and the remuneration |
| In addition to this, there is also a fixed lump sum | | | | reflects the responsible nature of their job. The |
| of a magnitude of 400% of the pension. Police | | | | police pensions and retirement policy is not the |
| officers can have the option of sacrificing some | | | | most interesting aspect of a police officer's job |
| or all of this lump sum for a greater annual | | | | but they will certainly appreciate having a read |
| pension. | | | | through it when they hang up their helmet at the |
| The maximum pension for a police officer is after | | | | end of the day. |