What is the McCloud remedy in one sentence?

It's the legal remedy for age discrimination in the 2015 public-service pension reforms: affected officers are moved back into their legacy scheme for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022), then given a choice of legacy or CARE benefits for that period at retirement.

You are affected if you were in service on or before 31 March 2012, were within 10 years of normal pension age on 1 April 2012 (which gave 'transitional protection'), and continued accruing service in either the legacy scheme or the 2015 CARE scheme between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. The scheme administrator decides the precise application — they will write to you with a Remediable Service Statement.

When do I have to choose between legacy and CARE benefits?

The choice is generally made at retirement (the Deferred Choice Underpin), not now. The scheme administrator will provide a Remediable Service Statement showing the comparison so you can choose informed. Some officers have already received early statements; many are still awaiting them as the rollout continues into 2026 and beyond.

Will I receive a refund of overpaid contributions?

Officers who were in the 2015 CARE scheme during the remedy period and have been moved back into legacy may be due an adjustment to past contributions (contributions to CARE returned, legacy contributions taken). The scheme administrator handles the calculation and any adjustment. It is not automatic — you should check your Remediable Service Statement when it arrives.

Should I take financial advice on the McCloud choice?

Yes — this is a significant decision with implications for your retirement income. BlueLineHub strongly recommends regulated independent financial advice for the choice itself. PFEW and NARPO publish guidance; the scheme administrator can explain the figures but cannot give personal financial advice.

McCloud Remedy — Police Pension

Independent plain-English explainer for the McCloud pension remedy. Not financial advice — your scheme administrator's Remediable Service Statement is the authoritative document.

Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).

Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 · Next review due: 29 November 2026

What is the McCloud remedy for police pensions?

The McCloud remedy is the legal fix for the age discrimination created by the 2015 public-service pension reforms. Affected officers are moved back into their legacy scheme (PPS 1987 or NPPS 2006) for the remedy period of 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022, and at retirement will be offered a Deferred Choice Underpin between legacy benefits or 2015 CARE benefits for that period. The scheme administrator issues a Remediable Service Statement that shows the comparison. Contribution differences from the remedy period may be adjusted. This is a high-stakes decision — speak to your scheme administrator and consider regulated independent financial advice before choosing. This page is an independent explainer, not financial advice.

Background

When the public-service pension schemes were reformed in 2015, transitional protection was given to older members — those within 10 years of their scheme's normal pension age on 1 April 2012 could remain in their legacy scheme indefinitely. Younger members were moved into the new schemes (in policing, the 2015 CARE scheme). The Court of Appeal in McCloud v Ministry of Justice (and the parallel Sargeant firefighters' case) found this transitional protection to be unlawful age discrimination.

The Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 put a UK-wide remedy on a statutory footing. For the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022), all affected members are moved back into their legacy scheme. From 1 April 2022 onwards, everyone accrues under the reformed scheme (PPS 2015 for officers). At retirement, affected officers will be offered a choice of legacy or CARE benefits for the remedy period — the Deferred Choice Underpin.

Who is affected

You are within scope of the remedy if all of the following are true:

You were in service on or before 31 March 2012, and
You had pensionable service after 1 April 2015 (in PPS 2015, or held in legacy under transitional protection), and
Your accrual during the remedy period would have differed between schemes.

Your scheme administrator decides the precise application and will issue a Remediable Service Statement with the figures.

What changes for affected officers

Service rolled back: PPS 2015 service in the remedy period is rolled back into the legacy scheme.
Contribution adjustment: CARE contributions for the remedy period are refunded; legacy contributions for that period are taken. The net is reflected in the administrator's calculation.
Tax position: Annual Allowance and Lifetime Allowance positions may change; HMRC has specific guidance for affected pensioners.
The Deferred Choice Underpin: at retirement, you will be offered the choice of legacy or CARE benefits for the remedy period, after being shown both calculations.

When you'll receive your Remediable Service Statement

Rollout is ongoing through 2026 and beyond, prioritising officers closer to retirement. If you have already retired during the remedy period, you should have received your statement and choice; if you have not, contact the scheme administrator. Active officers can expect to receive their statements in good time before retirement.

Getting advice

The Deferred Choice Underpin is a significant retirement decision. We strongly recommend:

Wait for your Remediable Service Statement from the scheme administrator. Do not act on assumptions about whether legacy or CARE is better — it depends on the specific figures.
Read the Federation's published guidance and any force-specific materials.
Consider regulated independent financial advice before exercising the choice. Look for advisers with police-pension or public-sector pension experience.
If you believe you have been mis-charged contributions during the remedy period, raise it with the scheme administrator.

Official McCloud sources

BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.

Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022
The Act that put the McCloud remedy on a statutory footing.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
Home Office McCloud guidance
Public guidance on the remedy for police officers.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
PFEW McCloud information
Federation member-facing guidance.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
NARPO McCloud updates
Retiree-facing updates from the National Association of Retired Police Officers.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source

Frequently asked

What is the McCloud remedy in one sentence?: It's the legal remedy for age discrimination in the 2015 public-service pension reforms: affected officers are moved back into their legacy scheme for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022), then given a choice of legacy or CARE benefits for that period at retirement.
Am I affected?: You are affected if you were in service on or before 31 March 2012, were within 10 years of normal pension age on 1 April 2012 (which gave 'transitional protection'), and continued accruing service in either the legacy scheme or the 2015 CARE scheme between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. The scheme administrator decides the precise application — they will write to you with a Remediable Service Statement.
When do I have to choose between legacy and CARE benefits?: The choice is generally made at retirement (the Deferred Choice Underpin), not now. The scheme administrator will provide a Remediable Service Statement showing the comparison so you can choose informed. Some officers have already received early statements; many are still awaiting them as the rollout continues into 2026 and beyond.
Will I receive a refund of overpaid contributions?: Officers who were in the 2015 CARE scheme during the remedy period and have been moved back into legacy may be due an adjustment to past contributions (contributions to CARE returned, legacy contributions taken). The scheme administrator handles the calculation and any adjustment. It is not automatic — you should check your Remediable Service Statement when it arrives.
Should I take financial advice on the McCloud choice?: Yes — this is a significant decision with implications for your retirement income. BlueLineHub strongly recommends regulated independent financial advice for the choice itself. PFEW and NARPO publish guidance; the scheme administrator can explain the figures but cannot give personal financial advice.