Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 April 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 19 April 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at what age police officers are able to retire on a full pension; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what age police officers are able to retire on a full pension; and if he will make a statement. [165478] Ms Blears: Under the current Police Pension Scheme officers may build up a maximum pension after 30 years' service. This means that an officer who joined the police service at age 18 1/2--the earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officer--could be entitled to retire at age 48 1/2 with a full pension. The Government are considering options for the modernisation of police pensions to make them more flexible and affordable for future entrants. We have concluded a UK-wide consultation exercise on proposals for a new police pension scheme, to be introduced by April 2006, and are considering the responses. Key features of the proposed scheme for new entrants are a maximum pension after 35 years and a minimum pension age of 55.

Secondary information