A retired police officer from Bridge of Earn, a community nestled in the heart of Perth and Kinross, is voicing significant frustration over ongoing delays in receiving pension payments he believes are rightfully owed to him. Brian Duncan, aged 55, who dedicated 27 years of his life to policing in the local area, stands as one among hundreds of former Scottish police personnel caught in a protracted dispute over their retirement funds.
The heart of this complex issue dates back to 2015, a pivotal year when the established police pension framework transitioned from the traditional ‘1987 Scheme’ to a new ‘Career Average Revalued Earnings’ (CARE) model. For many officers like Mr. Duncan, who had planned their retirement under the prior arrangements, this shift felt like a sudden and unexpected upheaval. The ‘1987 Scheme’ offered a clear pathway to retirement with an immediate pension after 30 years of service, or at the age of 55, regardless of tenure, for those who joined before April 6, 2006. The subsequent closure of this scheme to active members in March 2022 further underscored the profound changes affecting police pensions.
Mr. Duncan vividly recalls the feeling of the ‘carpet being ripped from under our feet’ as the new CARE scheme, which bases pension calculations on an officer’s average earnings throughout their career, dramatically altered their financial outlook. This unforeseen change meant that some dedicated officers, who had meticulously mapped out their post-service lives, were effectively compelled to extend their careers by as much as seven years simply to maintain their anticipated retirement benefits. The McCloud Judgment and Persistent Delays
The turning point for many came in 2018 when an age discrimination case, later widely recognized as the McCloud Judgment, was successfully brought before the Court of Appeal. This landmark ruling necessitated substantial adjustments across all public service pension schemes within the United Kingdom, aiming to rectify the discriminatory impact of the 2015 changes. The judgment implied that retired officers should be returned to the financial position they would have enjoyed under their original pension terms, promising a long-awaited resolution.
However, despite this legal victory, the actual implementation of these changes, particularly by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA), has been plagued by what Mr. Duncan describes as ‘atrocious’ communication and repeated missed deadlines. He notes that the SPPA has failed to meet no fewer than seven target dates for processing these critical payments. What was initially promised for March now appears to be a possibility for October or December, leaving many former officers in a state of prolonged financial uncertainty.
Adding to the deep-seated frustration, Mr. Duncan points out that those who retired due to ill-health, often in vulnerable circumstances, were initially assured priority. Yet, they too find themselves at the very ‘back of the queue,’ facing similar, if not greater, anxieties about their overdue entitlements. He emphasizes that the agency had ample time, four years to be precise, to prepare for the necessary recalculations and payouts but allegedly failed to put in place adequate staffing or computer systems until the very last moment. This administrative inefficiency means that every day of delay only compounds the financial burden, as accumulating interest adds to the overall sum owed. Collective Action and Official Response
In response to what they perceive as a systemic failure, the ‘Retired Officers’ organisation has taken decisive action, formally submitting a letter of no confidence to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. This collective stance underscores the widespread feeling among hundreds of retirees across Scotland that they have been ‘utterly cut adrift’ by the very system meant to safeguard their futures. The move highlights the depth of dissatisfaction with the pace and transparency of the pension remediation process.
In response to these mounting concerns, a spokesperson for the Scottish Public Pensions Agency issued a public apology, acknowledging the ‘frustrations’ of affected Police Scheme members and expressing regret for the delays. While unable to comment on individual cases, the SPPA affirmed that ‘significant progress’ has been made, stating that 84% of immediate choice remediable service statements and 99% of deferred choice statements have been issued to date. They also indicated that their delivery position is ‘similar’ to that of other police public sector administrators across the UK, suggesting a broader systemic challenge.
The agency attributed the continued delays for the remaining 16% of cases to ‘a range of complex factors’ requiring ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ to ensure accuracy. Despite previously missed targets, the SPPA maintains that the majority of outstanding statements are now anticipated by the end of October, with the remainder expected no later than the close of 2025. They assured the public that resources remain dedicated to diligently processing these complex cases to ensure retired members receive their accurate pension payments as swiftly as possible. For Mr. Duncan and his fellow Perthshire veterans, however, the wait continues, a tangible reminder of the challenging transition from decades of public service to a retirement still clouded by financial uncertainty.
The heart of this complex issue dates back to 2015, a pivotal year when the established police pension framework transitioned from the traditional ‘1987 Scheme’ to a new ‘Career Average Revalued Earnings’ (CARE) model. For many officers like Mr. Duncan, who had planned their retirement under the prior arrangements, this shift felt like a sudden and unexpected upheaval. The ‘1987 Scheme’ offered a clear pathway to retirement with an immediate pension after 30 years of service, or at the age of 55, regardless of tenure, for those who joined before April 6, 2006. The subsequent closure of this scheme to active members in March 2022 further underscored the profound changes affecting police pensions.
Mr. Duncan vividly recalls the feeling of the ‘carpet being ripped from under our feet’ as the new CARE scheme, which bases pension calculations on an officer’s average earnings throughout their career, dramatically altered their financial outlook. This unforeseen change meant that some dedicated officers, who had meticulously mapped out their post-service lives, were effectively compelled to extend their careers by as much as seven years simply to maintain their anticipated retirement benefits. The McCloud Judgment and Persistent Delays
The turning point for many came in 2018 when an age discrimination case, later widely recognized as the McCloud Judgment, was successfully brought before the Court of Appeal. This landmark ruling necessitated substantial adjustments across all public service pension schemes within the United Kingdom, aiming to rectify the discriminatory impact of the 2015 changes. The judgment implied that retired officers should be returned to the financial position they would have enjoyed under their original pension terms, promising a long-awaited resolution.
However, despite this legal victory, the actual implementation of these changes, particularly by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA), has been plagued by what Mr. Duncan describes as ‘atrocious’ communication and repeated missed deadlines. He notes that the SPPA has failed to meet no fewer than seven target dates for processing these critical payments. What was initially promised for March now appears to be a possibility for October or December, leaving many former officers in a state of prolonged financial uncertainty.
Adding to the deep-seated frustration, Mr. Duncan points out that those who retired due to ill-health, often in vulnerable circumstances, were initially assured priority. Yet, they too find themselves at the very ‘back of the queue,’ facing similar, if not greater, anxieties about their overdue entitlements. He emphasizes that the agency had ample time, four years to be precise, to prepare for the necessary recalculations and payouts but allegedly failed to put in place adequate staffing or computer systems until the very last moment. This administrative inefficiency means that every day of delay only compounds the financial burden, as accumulating interest adds to the overall sum owed. Collective Action and Official Response
In response to what they perceive as a systemic failure, the ‘Retired Officers’ organisation has taken decisive action, formally submitting a letter of no confidence to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. This collective stance underscores the widespread feeling among hundreds of retirees across Scotland that they have been ‘utterly cut adrift’ by the very system meant to safeguard their futures. The move highlights the depth of dissatisfaction with the pace and transparency of the pension remediation process.
In response to these mounting concerns, a spokesperson for the Scottish Public Pensions Agency issued a public apology, acknowledging the ‘frustrations’ of affected Police Scheme members and expressing regret for the delays. While unable to comment on individual cases, the SPPA affirmed that ‘significant progress’ has been made, stating that 84% of immediate choice remediable service statements and 99% of deferred choice statements have been issued to date. They also indicated that their delivery position is ‘similar’ to that of other police public sector administrators across the UK, suggesting a broader systemic challenge.
The agency attributed the continued delays for the remaining 16% of cases to ‘a range of complex factors’ requiring ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ to ensure accuracy. Despite previously missed targets, the SPPA maintains that the majority of outstanding statements are now anticipated by the end of October, with the remainder expected no later than the close of 2025. They assured the public that resources remain dedicated to diligently processing these complex cases to ensure retired members receive their accurate pension payments as swiftly as possible. For Mr. Duncan and his fellow Perthshire veterans, however, the wait continues, a tangible reminder of the challenging transition from decades of public service to a retirement still clouded by financial uncertainty.