“Sustainable and fair in the long term,” is how the Department of Health frames changes to Northern Ireland’s firefighter pensions. The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 introduce a new member contribution structure from 1 May 2026, after consent from the Department of Finance and the rule being sealed on 1 April. The regulations were laid at Stormont under the negative resolution procedure. (niassembly.gov.uk)

The headline change is a move to five bands with updated rates. From 1 May the contribution rates are: up to £36,130.99 at 11.71%; £36,131.00–£45,407.99 at 13.21%; £45,408.00–£66,908.99 at 14.71%; £66,909.00–£190,691.99 at 16.21%; and £190,692.00 or more at 17.71%. (niassembly.gov.uk)

For retained or volunteer firefighters, and for part‑time regulars, the basis for working out the correct band changes too. Until 30 April 2026, bands were determined using reference or whole‑time equivalent pay; from 1 May 2026 the band is set using each member’s actual annual pensionable pay. That brings on‑call and part‑time members onto the same footing as full‑time staff. (niassembly.gov.uk)

The Department will also uprate the pensionable pay thresholds annually from the 2027/28 scheme year, using the Consumer Prices Index and rounding up to the nearest pound. That means bands should keep pace with inflation rather than drift out of date between pay awards. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Officials say the refresh is about meeting the required member contribution “yield” and keeping the scheme on an even keel. The target is an average 13.2% of pensionable pay across the membership in the current valuation period, mirroring the approach already taken in England. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Process‑wise, the rule is SR 2026/73. It was laid before the Health Committee on 2 April 2026 under negative resolution, with the statutory scrutiny period running to 18 May 2026. For firefighters, the practical change lands sooner: May pay runs will reflect the new structure. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Northern readers will clock the parallels with England. There, ministers brought in a five‑tier structure, CPI‑linking of thresholds and an actual‑earnings basis from 1 April 2026. Belfast’s move keeps parity so crews on either side of the Irish Sea aren’t working to different sets of pension rules. (statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)

“Align NI with similar changes in England,” the Department’s own paperwork says, adding that the tweaks are designed to avoid extra burdens on employers while keeping costs predictable. For NIFRS, the Department also notes the overall financial impact is expected to be minimal. (niassembly.gov.uk)

What should members look for? From May, bands will be based on actual pensionable pay, so overtime and pensionable allowances can move someone between tiers. Members who previously sat in a band because of whole‑time equivalent assumptions may see a different rate that better tracks what they actually earn.

For finance leads and watch managers, the administrative lift is in communication and payroll readiness. The Assembly’s paperwork confirms the rule is in train; service communications should follow to confirm how mid‑year changes will be handled in practice and how annual CPI updates will be applied from 2027/28. (niassembly.gov.uk)