Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS 75)

This scheme was brought into force in 1975 by a Royal Warrant.

AFPS 75 has the following main features:

• It is a defined benefit final salary scheme.
• It is based on 34 years maximum service for officers or 37 years for other ranks.
• Eligibility starts at age 18 (or date of entry if later) for other ranks, and age 21 for officers (or date of entry if later).
• Widows receive up to 50% of spouse’s pension.
• Death in service grant is three times salary regardless of whether death is attributable to service or not.
• It pays an immediate pension after only 16 years’ pensionable service if you are an officer, and after 22 years’ pensionable service as an other rank, plus a tax free lump sum gratuity equal to three times the annual pension award in all cases.

In summary AFPS 75 favours a short service career, but has a poor dependant’s package. It was closed to new members on the introduction of AFPS 05.