This Practice Note considers the various types of public Sector pension schemes and specific factors to take into account when dealing with such schemes in the context of family proceedings including key features, benefits, Valuation and the impact of measures to remove unlawful Discrimination arising from reforms carried out in 2015 (the McCloud remedy). It also details key practical points to note when dealing with a public sector pension.

Public sector pensions are occupational pension schemes for employees of central or local government, a nationalised industry or other statutory bodies. They include pension schemes for the following:

1. •

   armed forces

2. •

   police

3. •

   firefighters

4. •

   civil service

5. •

   teachers

6. •

   local government

7. •

   National Health Service (NHS)

Public sector schemes, particularly uniformed services pension schemes, are often complex and it is therefore essential in many cases to seek advice from a pensions on divorce expert (PODE). See also the Pension Advisory Group: A Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce (December 2023) (Second Edition) at Appendix I as to complexities