Page 52 - Group Insurance and Retirement Benefit IC 83 E- Book

INTRODUCTION:

The Development of Public Superannuation Schemes (ii) The Police Act, 1890,
superseded all previous schemes (other than that of the City of London). This Act, and

subsequent amending Acts to 1919, provided for a contributory (2½ %) funded scheme
with prescribed upper and lower limits for benefits ; within these limits the precise scale

was decided by each police authority. The scheme was generally on the lines of the 1921

and 1926 Acts next described.
(iii) The Police Pensions Acts, 1921 and 1926, provided an ordinary pension, based

normally on the final rate of pay, calculated on a ' sixtieths ' scale at the rate of one per
year of service up to 20 years, and two thereafter up to the maximum of two-thirds on

completion of 30 years' service. Voluntary retirement on pension was permissible after 25

years' service. Owing to the abnormal injury risks, scales of special pensions were
prescribed, according to length of service.

Separate scales were laid down for accidental injury and for non-accidental (i.e.
intentionally inflicted or incurred in the performance of duty involving special risks) and

discretion were given to the police authority to make an intermediate award where
appropriate. Each scale was in turn subdivided to show the rate for total disablement and

the minimum rate for partial disablement (determined by reference to loss of earning

capacity). There was no lump sum benefit. Scales of ordinary and special pensions and
allowances were also prescribed for widows and children of deceased policemen and

police pensioners.
Contributions were payable by policemen at the rate of 2½% of pay from 1921 to 1926

and at 5% thereafter. The scheme was not funded. The reckon ability of service was

unaltered by an approved transfer between police forces, with a discretion in respect of
other changes. The pension was a charge on the general rate account of the last employer,

who was, however, entitled to call upon previous employers for an appropriate 'pension
contribution' towards the pension as paid. There was no provision for interchange with

any other scheme except with the established Civil Service, four years of which reckoned

as three of police service and vice versa.