Fee-Paid Judicial Pension Scheme delayed

Implementation of the long awaited Fee-Paid Judicial Pension Scheme (FPJPS) is now likely to take place on or before 1 April 2017, according to a statement published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) this week. The main reason given for the delay is “the complexity of drafting the parts of the regulations which will deal with AVCs [additional voluntary contributions], added years and added spousal and civil partner benefits”. Although the MoJ is committed to boosting resources on this project it has concluded that it is unlikely to meet the previous implementation deadline of 1 December 2016. Any eligible judges who retire between now and 31 March 2017 can apply for an interim payment by contacting the MoJ at judicialpayclaims@justice.gsi.gov.uk, indicating when you intend to retire.