“No impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.” That’s the Department of Health’s line as new rules for the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme in Northern Ireland are signed off and dated for May. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and takes effect on 1 May 2026.(niassembly.gov.uk)

The change is clear: member contribution rates will now be set against what a firefighter actually earns. From 1 May, five tiers apply - up to £36,130.99 at 11.71%; £36,131 to £45,407.99 at 13.21%; £45,408 to £66,908.99 at 14.71%; £66,909 to £190,691.99 at 16.21%; and £190,692 or more at 17.71%.(niassembly.gov.uk)

For retained and volunteer firefighters - and for part‑time regulars - the rules end the long‑running reliance on reference pay or whole‑time equivalent. Anything earned from 1 May 2026 is judged on actual annual pensionable pay, which should better reflect variable shifts and overtime.(niassembly.gov.uk)

There’s also a built‑in protection against bracket creep. From the 2027/28 scheme year, the earnings thresholds that decide each band will be uprated at the start of each year if the Consumer Prices Index has risen the previous September, rounded up to the nearest pound. The Department can choose another recognised UK price index if needed.(niassembly.gov.uk)

Officials say this is a technical tidy‑up rather than a big‑ticket budget move. The rule updates the 2015 scheme regulations, was cleared with the Department of Finance, and carries the statutory seals dated 1 April 2026. An earlier departmental consultation on the contribution structure ran from 4 December 2024 to 14 February 2025.(niassembly.gov.uk)

For crews across the North watching parity issues, England introduced a near‑identical switch from 1 April 2026. Westminster’s response to its consultation said basing contributions on actual pay is fairer for part‑time and on‑call staff - a point many firefighters have pressed for.(statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)

What should members expect on the payslip? If your annualised pensionable pay shifts you into a different band, your contribution rate changes accordingly. Retained colleagues with fluctuating earnings should keep an eye on May’s deductions and speak to NIFRS/HSC Pension Service if something looks off.(niassembly.gov.uk)

For finance leads, the Department’s paperwork flags no wider private or voluntary sector impact and signals a move designed to keep the scheme’s member contribution yield on track without loading extra cost onto employers. It’s technical, but it matters for day‑to‑day budgeting in fire authorities.(niassembly.gov.uk)

Bottom line: from 1 May 2026, Northern Ireland’s firefighters will pay pension contributions set against real earnings, with thresholds rising in line with inflation from April 2027. England is already there; Northern Ireland now matches the model.(niassembly.gov.uk)