Transparency data

SAB meeting minutes: 1 April 2026

Updated 9 October 2026

Applies to England and Wales

UK police pensions consultative forum & scheme advisory board meeting

47th Meeting, 01 April 2026, 10:30 – 14:30

Draft Minutes

Members present: - Check and amend

Independent Chair

Gaon Hart

Secretariat

Chris Moore

Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)

Paul Turpin

Melanie Warnes

Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA)

Dan Murphy

Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association (CPOSA)

Shabir Hussain

Gareth Wilson

Andy Prophet

National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC)

Philip Wells

Vickie lambert

Claire Neale

Kevin Courtney

Home Office (HO)

Tom Appleyard

Simon Primmer

Stephanie McCabe

Superintendent’s Association of Northern Ireland (SANI)

Michael Hanna

National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO)

Steve Wilcock

Police Federation Northern Ireland (PFNI)

Damien Walsh

Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS)

Stewart Carle

Scottish Police Federation (SPF)

David Kennedy

First Actuarial

Craig Moran

James Allen

Government Actuary Department (GAD)

Michael Scanlon

Greg Donaldson

Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA)

Finn Mackenzie

Police Scotland

Sharon Dalli

Eddie Pilkington

Welcome and Apologies

The Chair welcomed members to the quarterly SAB meeting hosted by PFEW.

Minutes of 27 January 2026

1. The minutes of the previous quarterly meeting was agreed. 

Action Point 1: PABEW Secretariat to publish finalised minutes of 27 January 2026 on webpage.

Action Log (27 January 2026)

The Chair went through the action log of 27 January 2026, which has been updated in the light of discussion. Key points of all the actions discussed were:

Action Point 2: A technical working group to be established to consider the CRA anomaly, initially as a pilot, and to report back to the next SAB meeting. Members interested in participating to notify the Secretariat, which will coordinate arrangements and explore Home Office participation.

2. The Chair noted that limited interest had been received from members to date. It was agreed that the action would remain open until the next meeting, after which it would be reviewed again.

Action Point 3: SAB agendas and minutes to be shared with local pension boards, and local board chairs to be invited to attend SAB meetings on a rotating observer basis

3. The Chair noted the action was complete. He confirmed that SAB agendas and minutes had been shared with Local Pension Boards and noted the importance of continued engagement with local boards. Claire Neale (NPCC) was thanked for coordinating recent meetings with Local Pension Boards. It was confirmed that a representative would attend the next SAB meeting as part of the rotating observer arrangement.

Action Point 4: Regulation 36 to be retained as a standing agenda item for future SAB meetings.

4. The Chair noted that the action had been completed.

Action Point 5: Members to submit any recommendations for matters they wish to be addressed by the Home Office to the PABEW Secretariat for collation and further discussion.

5. The Chair closed the action.

Action Point 6: Claire Neale (NPCC) to consider and outline how opt-out data could be collected and assessed, and to bring this to the April SAB meeting.

6. The Chair thanked Claire Neale (NPCC) for the report provided on opt-out data, which would be discussed later in the agenda.

Action Point 7: Members to submit suggestions on what opt-out data would be most valuable to collect to the PABEW Secretariat.

7. The Chair noted that suggestions had been received from members and would be considered as part of the ongoing work on opt-out data. He closed the action,

Action Point 8: The Chair to write to the Home Office summarising the points raised regarding future consultation processes, and to share the draft with Shabir Hussain and Dan Paul Turpin prior to issuing.

8. The Chair proposed revising the approach to this action by seeking an initial face-to-face discussion with the Minister before providing written follow-up. Members noted the importance of maintaining an audit trail regarding concerns around consultation processes. Andy Prophet (CPOSA) supported retaining the action with the revised engagement approach. It was agreed that the action would remain open and be updated to reflect the revised approach.

Action Point 9: A working group to be established to coordinate the SAB response to the CPI consultation. Members interested in participating to notify the Secretariat.

9. The Chair noted that the revised draft response had been circulated by email and agreed that the action could now be closed.

Action Point 10: Claire Neale (NPCC) to follow up on support arrangements for beneficiaries and vulnerable members and report back if required.

10. Claire Neale (NPCC) confirmed that support arrangements for vulnerable members continued to be monitored and that the action would remain ongoing until all vulnerable member RSS had been issued.

Outstanding Actions from Previous Meetings

Action Point 2: Home Office to review and, where appropriate, update 2015 Scheme member guidance on deferring benefits after age 55.

11. Simon Primmer (HO) confirmed that work on updating the guidance remains ongoing but had been delayed due to wider Home Office priorities and reprioritisation of work across the team. The Chair requested that an indicative timeline for completion be provided ahead of the next SAB meeting where possible.

Action Point 3: Michael Scanlon (GAD) to analyse valuation data and share findings by March 2026.

12. Michael Scanlon (GAD) provided the following:

This action point related the discussion at the October 2024 SAB regarding members of the 2015 scheme who left service after age 55 and did not take immediate payment of their pension.  Such members are entitled to a deferred pension payable from State Pension age, whereas if they took an immediate pension on leaving they would receive benefits of equivalent value to a pension payable for the active pension age of 60 (see paragraphs 4 to 8 of the minutes, attached).

We have identified 90 members in the valuation data as at 31 March 2024, who

• left between 1 Apr 2020 and 31 March 2024 aged 55 or above
• had entitlement to a 2015 scheme pension
• did not take immediate payment of that pension
• on 31 March 2024 were entitled to a deferred 2015 scheme pension (which would be payable at State Pension age).

For comparison, the data includes over 3,000 active members who retired from the police pension scheme between 1 Apr 2020 and 31 March 2024 aged 55 and above who received an immediate pension; and all of those retiring in the period from 1 April 2022 would have had entitlement to some 2015 scheme pension (and so it appears that the majority of members with 2015 scheme pension who leave aged 55 and above do take an immediate pension).

Note these figures are based on draft data which is still to be finalised for the valuation, and are therefore subject to change.  As part of valuation reporting, we will provide a full data report setting out the valuation data, the checks we have performed on that data, and associated limitations.

Action Point 4: Members to share any implementation issues or user concerns from the dashboard rollout at the next meeting.

13. Claire Neale noted that pensions dashboards remain in phase two rollout, involving a limited number of selected users across the pensions industry. Given the current stage of rollout, the Chair agreed to close the action, with the option to revisit if issues arise in future.

Action Point 6: Tom Appleyard (HO) to liaise with the LGPS/Firefighters’ Scheme team and circulate details of that funding model (including cost per member and source) for SAB consideration.

14. The Chair provided an update on discussions held with Chief Constables regarding pensions funding and noted some interest in greater consistency across forces.

Action Point 10: Members to consider introducing a SAB risk register and discuss at the next meeting.

15. The Chair noted that limited feedback had been received from members regarding the introduction of a SAB risk register. The action will remain open for further consideration.

Regulation 36 Consultation

16. Simon Primmer (HO) confirmed that Regulation 36 remains a Home Office priority and advised that work continues with Home Office lawyers on outstanding issues, although wider Home Office priorities have impacted timescales.

17. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) queried whether shorter consultation periods could be used where proposals are limited in scope. Simon Primmer confirmed that consultation requirements remain subject to legal advice but acknowledged previous Board feedback regarding proportionality and consultation timescales.

18. Paul Turpin (PFEW) sought clarification on whether prospective and retrospective elements would continue to be progressed separately. Simon Primmer confirmed that this remains the intention to avoid delays to prospective changes.

Police Scheme Valuation

19. Michael Scanlon (GAD) provided an overview of the police scheme valuation timetable and current assumption-setting work.

20. GAD presented analysis showing continued higher than expected withdrawal rates amongst younger officers. Members discussed potential contributing factors including workforce morale, public scrutiny of policing, affordability pressures and changes to pension arrangements over time.

21. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) suggested that further demographic analysis of members leaving the service may assist understanding of workforce retention issues.

22. Craig Moran (First Actuarial) sought clarification regarding how assumptions account for differing pension profiles across membership groups and how recent data trends may influence future assumptions.

23. GAD confirmed that assumptions already differentiate between certain cohorts and that any future changes would seek to avoid excessive volatility in assumptions and employer contribution rates.

24. Members also discussed whether withdrawal trends may differ between male and female officers. GAD confirmed that further analysis would be undertaken as part of the assumption-setting process.

25. The Board noted that further discussion on assumptions is expected at the July SAB meeting, with valuation outcomes and employer contribution rates expected in autumn 2026.

Action point 2: GAD to consider whether differing withdrawal assumptions between male and female members remain appropriate as part of the 2024 valuation assumption-setting process.

Action point 3: Secretariat to circulate GAD presentation slides and supporting information to SAB members. / Members to provide any additional comments on valuation assumptions to GAD following circulation of the presentation materials.

Opt-Out Data Collection and Assessment

26. Claire Neale (NPCC) introduced the paper on opt-out data collection and assessment and provided an overview of ongoing work by NPCC and the National Reward Team to improve understanding of pension opt-out trends.

27. She noted that a comprehensive survey of opt-out members had not been undertaken due to operational pressures on forces. Instead, work had focused on establishing a more consistent approach to data collection through a new national opt-out form and supporting processes.

28. Claire Neale (NPCC) advised that existing opt-out data provided a useful starting point, although limitations remained regarding consistency and completeness across forces.

29. Members discussed the importance of improving communication regarding the value of police pensions, particularly for younger officers and those considering opting out of the scheme.

30. Paul Turpin (PFEW) highlighted previous work undertaken by the Metropolitan Police during auto-enrolment exercises and suggested that similar approaches may assist forces in reducing opt-out rates.

31. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) and the Chair emphasised the importance of using plain English and clear financial examples when communicating pension benefits.

32. Members also discussed wider workforce retention and pension participation trends. The Chair suggested that the issue may warrant wider discussion at a future PABEW meeting.

Action point 4: Secretariat to add workforce retention and pension opt-out trends to a future PABEW agenda for wider discussion.

Contingent Decision: Opt Out - update and discussion

33. Simon Primmer (HO) provided an update on contingent decisions and welcomed the recent Ministerial decision regarding the opt-out issue. The Board noted the Written Ministerial Statement laid before Parliament and the Home Office’s intention to use powers under section 22 of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 to address affected cases through a future statutory instrument.

34. Simon Primmer (HO) advised that the proposed approach is intended to allow the majority of affected members to return to their original legacy pension scheme for the relevant remedy period.

35. The Board discussed members who opted out prior to April 2015. Simon Primmer (HO) advised that, whilst the remedy period could potentially be linked back into legacy scheme membership, no power had currently been identified to allow repayment of contributions for gaps in service prior to the remedy period.

36. GAD advised that approximately 250 members may fall within the cohort affected by pre-remedy opt-out gaps. Members discussed the potential impact on those individuals and whether further analysis may be required. GAD agreed to provide further information, where possible, regarding the affected cohort.

37. Staff Associations highlighted that, whilst the proposed solution was welcomed, concerns remained that remedy had not yet been delivered for all groups affected by the discrimination. They noted concerns that some members who made decisions they would not otherwise have made but for the discrimination may remain outside the current solution, including those who left the pension scheme between March 2012 and April 2015 and later returned. Staff Association representatives stated that further options should continue to be explored to seek a resolution for the remaining affected members. -

38. Simon Primmer (HO) advised that the Home Office intends to undertake a short targeted consultation on the draft statutory instrument before it is laid before Parliament.

39. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) suggested that merged draft documents would assist members in identifying the practical effect of proposed legislative changes and any unintended consequences. The Chair welcomed the suggestion.

Action point 5: GAD to provide further information, where possible, regarding the cohort affected by pre-remedy opt-out gaps.

NPCC Remedy Update

40. Claire Neale (NPCC) provided an update on progress relating to Remedy activity and confirmed that, as at the end of February 2026, a further 940 Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) had been issued since the January SAB meeting. She noted that approximately 3,461 cases remained outstanding at the end of February 2026, with overall completion rates remaining ahead of other public sector pension schemes.

41. Claire Neale (NPCC) advised that progress during February and March had been impacted by XPS transitioning to a new administration platform, with no RSSs issued by XPS during that period whilst system development and testing work was ongoing. The remaining outstanding cases primarily relate to more complex scenarios, including divorce cases, deceased member cases, offsetting issues and data correction activity.

42. Members discussed the ongoing operational pressures associated with completing the remaining cases and the importance of continuing to monitor progress closely.

43. The Chair welcomed the overall progress made by the police sector and thanked NPCC and administrators for their continued work on Remedy activity.

HMRC Penalties

44. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) introduced a paper relating to HMRC penalties and raised concerns regarding members relying on pension savings statement information when completing tax returns, including the risk of inaccurate submissions and potential HMRC penalties.

45. Claire Neale (NPCC) advised that redevelopment of the Police Pension Information website is already underway and will include improved guidance and supporting information for members. Members discussed whether additional explanatory material may assist members in understanding pension savings statements and annual allowance calculations.

46. Claire Neale (NPCC)) noted that worked examples may not capture all scenarios and could risk members incorrectly applying examples to their own circumstances. Members also discussed whether pension savings statements could include additional information, such as service details, to assist understanding of calculations.

47. Sharon Dalli noted that members who suffer financial detriment as a result of administrator error may wish to pursue formal complaints and, where appropriate, seek recourse through the Pensions Ombudsman.

48. The Chair emphasised the importance of clearly communicating risks and encouraging members to seek clarification from administrators where necessary. Members also discussed retaining examples of administrator issues and good practice to help inform future procurement and oversight activity.

Action Point 6: Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) to provide further details of the example case discussed during the meeting to enable further consideration with the relevant administrator.

Action Point 7: NPCC to consider including additional explanatory information and warnings within the redeveloped Police Pension Information website.

That SAB requests forces for details of their Pension Administration contracts in order to best prepare for force mergers and further support the wider goals of the White Paper.

49. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) introduced a paper regarding the potential implications of the White Paper and wider police reform activity for pension governance and administration arrangements.

50. Claire Neale (NPCC) advised that preliminary work has recommenced to review how the single scheme manager programme may align with wider police reform proposals and the creation of the National Police Service.

51. Claire Neale (NPCC) also advised that a new national administration framework is due to be introduced in June 2026, with standardised terms and conditions intended to support greater consistency across administration contracts.

52. Tom Appleyard (HO) confirmed that the Home Office is maintaining engagement with wider workforce and reform workstreams and that pensions and pay considerations are being raised as part of ongoing reform discussions.

53. The Chair welcomed the preparatory work being undertaken and suggested that White Paper reform should remain a standing SAB agenda item as proposals continue to develop.

Action Point 8: Tom Appleyard to engage with the police reform team regarding appropriate future SAB engagement on White Paper reform impacts relating to pensions. Secretariat to retain White Paper reform as a standing SAB agenda item.

Any Other Business

54. The Chair returned to the earlier discussion regarding contingent decisions and members affected by pre-remedy opt-out gaps.

55. Michael Scanlon (GAD) advised that further analysis could be undertaken using existing data to identify the distribution of affected members by length of gap periods. GAD also confirmed that broad illustrative estimates of potential financial impacts could be produced using available salary and service data.

56. Craig Moran suggested that indicative ranges and supporting charts may assist members in understanding the scale of potential impacts.

57. Paul Turpin (PFEW) requested that any analysis produced by GAD should be circulated to members in advance of a future meeting where possible.

58. The Chair suggested that, once additional data and indicative loss estimates are available, members may wish to consider possible options or solutions which could potentially be raised collectively with the Home Office and Treasury.

59. Tom Appleyard (HO) suggested that any future representations may be more effective if progressed jointly and shared with both the Home Office and HM Treasury.

60. Shabir Hussain (CPOSA) also raised concerns regarding the accessibility and presentation of Treasury directions and legislative amendment documents. Members discussed the value of merged or consolidated draft documents to help identify the practical effect of changes more clearly.

61. Simon Primmer (HO) confirmed that feedback regarding Treasury communications and documentation would be raised with HM Treasury.

Action Point 9: GAD to provide further analysis regarding the distribution of members affected by pre-remedy opt-out gaps, including indicative ranges where possible and to consider producing broad illustrative estimates of potential financial impacts arising from pre-remedy opt-out gaps.