RAF Pensions to change

[Melchett01]

Latest one doing the rounds that I was told - allegedly discussed by some of the high paid help on the golf course (good to see they have time for a round, obviously not too busy) - is of a new scheme coming in around 2012/13 that will make 05 look positively generous.

As before, the thinking seems to be that they won't be able to force people onto the new scheme, but transfers will be tied to any changes in terms of service - promotion, re-engagement etc.

The upshot is that many on 75 will probably either turn down promotion or re-engagement and will thus leave at their next option point, or potentially stagnate in rank if already on full career engagement. This will get rid of the old timers and will eventually replace them with a new generation who know no better and will be put onto short term engagements that only carry a liability for a preserved pension at 65 or whenever it is, with just a few die-hards stagging on for a full career and a £1.50 luncheon voucher when they retire.

If correct, I think we are going to see the Forces getting much younger (probably the aim of this), with a much greater turnover of personnel (an unintended but acceptable to them consequence). The Treasury will no doubt be happy as they won't have pensions to pay out, but it will do nothing for the morale of those already in and hoping for a career and will more importantly water down the experience levels, potentially compromising operational effectiveness. So unless your career hasn't yet got to where you are hoping it will, best you get your skates on. Or get an Acting Paid tour and try to drag it out for 3 years before doing a runner.

 

[4everAD]

Latest one doing the rounds that I was told - allegedly discussed by some of the high paid help on the golf course (good to see they have time for a round, obviously not too busy) - is of a new scheme coming in around 2012/13 that will make 05 look positively generous.

​

As before, the thinking seems to be that they won't be able to force people onto the new scheme, but transfers will be tied to any changes in terms of service - promotion, re-engagement etc.

The upshot is that many on 75 will probably either turn down promotion or re-engagement and will thus leave at their next option point, or potentially stagnate in rank if already on full career engagement. This will get rid of the old timers and will eventually replace them with a new generation who know no better and will be put onto short term engagements that only carry a liability for a preserved pension at 65 or whenever it is, with just a few die-hards stagging on for a full career and a £1.50 luncheon voucher when they retire.

If correct, I think we are going to see the Forces getting much younger (probably the aim of this), with a much greater turnover of personnel (an unintended but acceptable to them consequence). The Treasury will no doubt be happy as they won't have pensions to pay out, but it will do nothing for the morale of those already in and hoping for a career and will more importantly water down the experience levels, potentially compromising operational effectiveness. So unless your career hasn't yet got to where you are hoping it will, best you get your skates on. Or get an Acting Paid tour and try to drag it out for 3 years before doing a runner.

I didn't think this was the case, people I know have begged to go across to the new scheme as they now realise that the chances of getting to FS are real (That was the only reason to ever transfer IMO) you didn't switch across just cause you signed onto 55 or did you?

 

[Realist78]

I didn't think this was the case, people I know have begged to go across to the new scheme as they now realise that the chances of getting to FS are real (That was the only reason to ever transfer IMO) you didn't switch across just cause you signed onto 55 or did you?

No, the formal invite to switch over was the only avenue, so I believe.

 

[4everAD]

No, the formal invite to switch over was the only avenue, so I believe.

That was my understanding as well, so if they introduce another new version it will be hard to push people onto it, if it was easy we would all have been pushed onto AFPS 05 when it was introduced.

 

[firestorm]

Just to show how skanky some employers can be.....

Just to show how skanky some employers can be.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10944268

 

[Realist78]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10944268

1 sector of public service down, the rest to follow?

 

[Fat2at]

Hope they get their inevitable strikes out of the way before the armed forces get the chop...DT_Xtremez_25:

 

[architect81]

Mil pensions to be based on CPI not RPI

Mil pensions to be based on CPI not RPI

It's in the Mail so it must be true, the rate of increase for Military Pensions is to be based on Consumer Prices Index not Retail Prices Index effectively resulting in reduced pension payments.

See links below:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/pensions/article.html?in_article_id=512960&in_page_id=6&ito=1565

Also on the Armed Forces Pension Society website:

http://www.forcespensionsociety.org/news/pension-news/budget-2010/

Regards

 

[Bignick]

Gratuity to be taxed

Gratuity to be taxed

not quite pensions based, but will be of interest to the same people:

Heard from a 'reasonably' reliable source yesterday that they (who ever 'they' are) are thinking of taxing our gratuities....a higher and lower tax band has been mentioned.

Totally Off Topic, but of interest to all, is that there is talk that 9 Air Commodores have been given redundancy

 

[needsabiggerfuse]

... of interest to all, is that there is talk that 9 Air Commodores have been given redundancy

So they'll be gilding the lilies in their gardens, eh!

 

[4everAD]

not quite pensions based, but will be of interest to the same people:

Heard from a 'reasonably' reliable source yesterday that they (who ever 'they' are) are thinking of taxing our gratuities....a higher and lower tax band has been mentioned.

Totally Off Topic, but of interest to all, is that there is talk that 9 Air Commodores have been given redundancy

Could/would only get away with that on any new pension scheme to be introduced, wont affect anything you already have "Earnt" under AFPS 75 or 05.

 

[Bignick]

Could/would only get away with that on any new pension scheme to be introduced, wont affect anything you already have "Earnt" under AFPS 75 or 05.

Don't know really...is it part of the pension deal as such? The treasury will call it earnings, and earnings should be taxed, simples! After all the monthly pension is.

The cynic in me is thinking the Air Cmrs are jumping ship with redundancy (exactly as the OP said) BEFORE the SDSR is released stating that there will be no redundancy package, and the losses will be achieved through natural wastage (Bye Bye promotion for fcuking years - remember options for change anyone?). Furthermore after certain date, say, about 9-12 months after the release of the document, the gratuities will start getting taxed, thereby giving anyone who is thinking about going, a darn good reason to do so.

Good job we have a military covenant to protect us from such underhand tactics .... PMSL

 

[firestorm]

Hope they get their inevitable strikes out of the way before the armed forces get the chop...DT_Xtremez_25:

The forces no longer provide cover.

 

[Downsizer]

The forces no longer provide cover.

Who does now?

 

[222]

Various private enterprises and companys. SerCo, for one, has the contract for covering London should it go out on strike. There are fire applicances in storage thoughout the country. And they have personnel on retainers and training contracts should the need arise.

If you ever drive past the back of Waddo, you will see (not hidden and clearly on pubic view) many fire appliances stored in the old ESA, they're not MOD applicances and they don't belong to Lincs Fire Authority.... SerCo!

 

[feckinG RANT]

The forces no longer provide cover.

Off Topic

Interesting, however, too late for me.

I have no respect for firefighters after the last strike, I felt their actions were unreasonable and uncalled for. I now view them the same as all the other left-wing idiots that seem hell bent on bringing chaos to the country.

 

[Realist78]

Off Topic

Interesting, however, too late for me.

I have no respect for firefighters after the last strike, I felt their actions were unreasonable and uncalled for. I now view them the same as all the other left-wing idiots that seem hell bent on bringing chaos to the country.

There's always 2 sides to an argument. That 'we' had to cover for the firefighters is largely irrelevant IMO.

 

[Leckie1]

There's always 2 sides to an argument. That 'we' had to cover for the firefighters is largely irrelevant IMO.

Firstly, what 2 sides to the argument?? Firemen joined the Service to save lives and they had no problem with turning their backs on that!!
Secondly, Firemen are not exactly under paid or worked hard are they??

Lastly, "we" covering for them is very bloody relevant!! I came back from an OOA, only to be dumped as a part time Fireman days later. I certainly thought it was RELEVANT!!!

Firemen = Lazy, greedy, workshy foxes. Nice work if you can get it, but I'd rather be able to look at myself in the mirror in the morning, and not wonder whether my strike action cost someone their life.

 

[Downsizer]

I'd rather be able to look at myself in the mirror in the morning, and not wonder whether my strike action cost someone their life.

Now I think the striking firemen (like anybody who strikes) were James Blunts, but is there any proof of anybody dieing during our time covering the strikes?

 

[Leckie1]

Now I think the striking firemen (like anybody who strikes) were James Blunts, but is there any proof of anybody dieing during our time covering the strikes?

People did die during the strike period, so who's to say that if the "professionals" who are paid to put out fires, had been on duty, they wouldn't have saved those lives??

My point is, it should never have been a point to wonder.

Anyway, this is going off topic, I just wanted to reply to Realist78 comment's.