Freedom Isn’t Free UK Personal Finance
Pensions
Police Pension UK 2026: PPS 1987, 2006 and 2015 Compared
UK police officers have built up pension in one of three schemes: PPS 1987 (final salary, 1/60 then 2/60 accrual), the 2006 New Police Pension Scheme (final salary, 1/70, normal pension age 55), and the 2015 scheme (career average, 1/55.3 accrual, normal pension age 60). Since April 2022 all serving officers accrue in the 2015 scheme.
UK police pension schemes compared
| Scheme | Type | How the pension builds | Normal / ordinary pension age |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPS 1987 | Final salary | 1/60 of final pensionable pay for each of the first 20 years, then 2/60 for years 20 to 30 (double accrual) | Service-based: from 30 years pensionable service, or age 50 with 25 or more years service |
| NPPS 2006 | Final salary | 1/70 of final pensionable pay for each year of service, up to a maximum of 35 years | Age 55 |
| PPS 2015 | Career average (CARE) | 1/55.3 of that year pensionable earnings is added to the pension at the end of each scheme year, then revalued | Age 60 |