§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have taken early retirement in each of the past three years. [134549]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere is no provision within the police pension scheme for officers to retire early with an actuarially reduced pension. Maximum pension benefits are payable on completion of 30 years' service and most officers retire having completed at least 30 years' service. Some retire with shorter service on reaching compulsory retirement age. There is provision within the scheme for 427W officers to retire on completion of 25 years' service, with a pension payable from age 50. Officers may also retire with an immediate pension before completion of 30 years or reaching compulsory retirement age, on the grounds of ill-health. Figures for ill-health retirements are as follows:
Police officers medically retiring in England and Wales Year Number 1997–98 1,810 1998–99 1,642 1999–2000 1,232