Which scheme am I in?

If you joined Police Scotland (or a legacy Scottish force pre-2013) before 6 April 2006, you're likely in the 1987 scheme. Between 6 April 2006 and 31 March 2015 — probably the 2006 scheme. Anyone joining after 1 April 2015 is in the 2015 CARE scheme. The McCloud remedy may affect your scheme choice for the 2015-2022 period. SPPA can confirm from your service record.

How is the 2015 CARE scheme calculated in Scotland?

Same accrual rate as E&W — 1/55.3 of pensionable pay per year of service, revalued annually by CPI+1.25% while in service. At retirement, the accumulated CARE pot pays as an annual pension. Employee contribution rates are set on the same tiered structure by pensionable pay band.

What is the deferred pension age?

For the 2015 CARE scheme, deferred pension age tracks the State Pension Age — currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2044-46. Legacy 1987 scheme members can take an unreduced pension at 30 years' service or age 50 (with restrictions). 2006 scheme members: age 55 with 5 years' service (with restrictions) or full 25 years to 55.

What is the McCloud remedy in Scotland?

McCloud is a UK-wide court judgment on unlawful age discrimination when officers were moved to the 2015 CARE scheme. The remedy period is 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. Affected members are treated as if they remained in their legacy scheme for the remedy period; at retirement they're offered a choice of legacy or CARE benefits for that period. Scotland implements the remedy through SPPA under the Police Pensions Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2023. If you have questions specific to your Scottish service, contact SPPA and your SPF representative.

Ill-health retirement in Scotland

Same structural framework as E&W — Lower Tier (unable to perform ordinary duties of a constable) and Upper Tier (unable to perform any regular employment). Assessment by the Force Medical Adviser or an Independent Medical Referee. Appeals go to the Police Medical Appeal Board (PMAB). See /support/medical-retirement for the wider walkthrough.

I'm transferring to Police Scotland from E&W — how does my pension move?

You do NOT automatically transfer pension pot. Options: (a) leave the E&W pot deferred and start a fresh Scottish CARE pot from your first day in Scotland; (b) request a transfer-in to the Scottish scheme (SPPA will value the transfer and quote an equivalent-service credit). Get advice — a transfer-in is usually the more valuable choice for younger officers with substantial service but each case differs. Consult SPF and, if the numbers are material, a regulated financial adviser.

Police Scotland Pension

The three Scottish police pension schemes and the McCloud remedy, in plain English.

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

Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial

What pension schemes cover Police Scotland officers?

Three schemes cover Police Scotland officers, mirroring the E&W structure with Scottish-specific administration. The Scottish Police Pension Scheme 1987 (final-salary, closed to new joiners in 2006) and the Scottish Police Pension Scheme 2006 (final-salary, closed to new joiners in 2015) are the legacy schemes; the Scottish Police Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE) is the current scheme for all officers. The McCloud remedy applies in Scotland too — for the 2015-2022 remedy period, affected officers are moved back into their legacy scheme and offered a choice of legacy or CARE benefits at retirement.

Scheme structure at a glance

Scotland runs three police pension schemes in parallel — 1987, 2006 and 2015 CARE — mirroring the E&W structure but administered by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) rather than the E&W scheme administrators (XPS / Equiniti). Every officer's specific scheme membership depends on their date of joining and how the McCloud remedy period affects them.

Scottish Police Pension Scheme 1987

Final-salary scheme. Closed to new joiners in April 2006, closed to further accrual for most members from April 2022 (McCloud). Full pension at 30 years' service. Commutation lump-sum available up to 25% of pension value.

Scottish Police Pension Scheme 2006

Final-salary scheme with 1/60th accrual. Closed to new joiners in April 2015. Deferred pension age 55 with 5 years' service; full pension at 30 years to 55.

Scottish Police Pension Scheme 2015 (CARE)

Current scheme for all serving officers. Accrual 1/55.3, in-service revaluation CPI+1.25%. Deferred pension age tracks State Pension Age. Automatic lump-sum optional on retirement via commutation.

How McCloud plays out in Scotland

Same underlying principle as E&W. Between April 2015 and March 2022 members were moved into the CARE scheme in tranches based on age — the courts found this age-discriminatory. The remedy: officers affected are treated as if they stayed in their legacy scheme for the remedy period, and at retirement can choose whether to take that period's benefits under the legacy scheme or the CARE scheme.

For most officers the choice is clearer at retirement than mid-career because the right answer depends on final salary, life expectancy, family circumstances, and whether they take a lump sum. SPPA provides both quotes at retirement point. Get advice.

Employee contribution rates

Tiered by pensionable pay band, published annually by SPPA. Rates for the 2015 scheme typically run from 12.44% at the lowest band to 15.05% at the highest. Employer contribution rates are set separately and paid by the SPA. Contribution rates in the legacy schemes are similar-order.

/scotland/pay — Police Scotland pay-scale specifics.
/scotland/promotion — Scottish promotion framework.
/pensions — E&W pensions pillar for comparison.
/pensions/mccloud-remedy — McCloud in detail (E&W focus but principles apply).
/support/medical-retirement — ill-health retirement process.

Frequently asked

Which scheme am I in?: If you joined Police Scotland (or a legacy Scottish force pre-2013) before 6 April 2006, you're likely in the 1987 scheme. Between 6 April 2006 and 31 March 2015 — probably the 2006 scheme. Anyone joining after 1 April 2015 is in the 2015 CARE scheme. The McCloud remedy may affect your scheme choice for the 2015-2022 period. SPPA can confirm from your service record.
How is the 2015 CARE scheme calculated in Scotland?: Same accrual rate as E&W — 1/55.3 of pensionable pay per year of service, revalued annually by CPI+1.25% while in service. At retirement, the accumulated CARE pot pays as an annual pension. Employee contribution rates are set on the same tiered structure by pensionable pay band.
What is the deferred pension age?: For the 2015 CARE scheme, deferred pension age tracks the State Pension Age — currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2044-46. Legacy 1987 scheme members can take an unreduced pension at 30 years' service or age 50 (with restrictions). 2006 scheme members: age 55 with 5 years' service (with restrictions) or full 25 years to 55.
What is the McCloud remedy in Scotland?: McCloud is a UK-wide court judgment on unlawful age discrimination when officers were moved to the 2015 CARE scheme. The remedy period is 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. Affected members are treated as if they remained in their legacy scheme for the remedy period; at retirement they're offered a choice of legacy or CARE benefits for that period. Scotland implements the remedy through SPPA under the Police Pensions Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2023. If you have questions specific to your Scottish service, contact SPPA and your SPF representative.
Ill-health retirement in Scotland: Same structural framework as E&W — Lower Tier (unable to perform ordinary duties of a constable) and Upper Tier (unable to perform any regular employment). Assessment by the Force Medical Adviser or an Independent Medical Referee. Appeals go to the Police Medical Appeal Board (PMAB). See /support/medical-retirement for the wider walkthrough.
I'm transferring to Police Scotland from E&W — how does my pension move?: You do NOT automatically transfer pension pot. Options: (a) leave the E&W pot deferred and start a fresh Scottish CARE pot from your first day in Scotland; (b) request a transfer-in to the Scottish scheme (SPPA will value the transfer and quote an equivalent-service credit). Get advice — a transfer-in is usually the more valuable choice for younger officers with substantial service but each case differs. Consult SPF and, if the numbers are material, a regulated financial adviser.